- Maroons and Kangaroos star ruled out on eve of NRL season
Melbourne Storm and Queensland Maroons star Xavier Coates has been ruled out for three months on the eve of the 2026 NRL season.
‘Melbourne Storm can confirm Xavier Coates will undergo Achilles surgery in the coming week following further medical assessment, the club said in a statement.
‘Coates is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of three months.’
It comes after the Storm’s pursuit of Zac Lomax was blocked in an ongoing legal battle with the Parramatta Eels.
The Eels have launched court proceedings to enforce a release clause that prevents Lomax from signing with another NRL club until the end of 2028 without their consent.
Court documents allege the Storm agreed to cover Lomax’s legal fees, which could reach around $250,000, raising questions about whether that payment would count under the salary cap.
Melbourne’s wing stocks take hit with Coates injured while Lomax legal saga threatens fresh cap complications
Looming cap pressure and injury setbacks combine to test Melbourne’s roster depth early this season
Parramatta claim Lomax breached release agreement, with court to determine validity of restraint clause
If deemed a cap benefit, Melbourne – who reportedly have no remaining cap space – could face serious roster complications.
The case will ultimately determine whether the Eels unlawfully restrained Lomax and whether a binding release agreement was in place.
Lomax is extremely unlikely to be available for the Storm in the opening rounds of the season, with proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court now set for Monday, March 2.
Coates made his NRL debut in 2019 with the Brisbane Broncos before moving to the Melbourne Storm in 2022, and across his first 108 NRL games he has scored 79 tries.
He has established himself as a prolific winger, including scoring 20 tries in the 2025 season.
Coates has represented Queensland in the State of Origin series from 2020 to 2025, accumulating 13 appearances and scoring 6 tries at Origin level.
He was part of Melbourne’s NRL premiership-winning squads in 2024 and 2025.
Coates has also played for Australia at international level, appearing in three Tests during 2024, though without scoring a try in those matches.
