Depth signings will be the order of business for the Melbourne Storm as they head into the 2026 NRL recruitment period.
There are still plenty of questions for the club to answer around the players they have off-contract, but even with them, this is a side who are locked and loaded for success.
And success is a regular occurrence in the Victorian capital.
Back in the grand final this year, where they came up short against the Penrith Panthers, Craig Bellamy, who was seemingly finished as a coach a few years ago, is continuing on.
And that, even without knowing his internal dialogue, is almost undoubtedly because the Victorian club are only one or two key pieces away from being able to once again lift the Provan-Summons trophy.
We will run the rule over all 17 clubs on Zero Tackle in the lead-up to November 1 to determine who their top targets are. Today, the Stormโฆ
Current 2026 Melbourne Storm squad
Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Shawn Blore, Joe Chan, Xavier Coates, Sua Fa'alogo, Harry Grant, Jack Howarth, Jahrome Hughes, Eliesa Katoa, Alec MacDonald, Nick Meaney, Cameron Munster, Stefano Utoikamanu, Will Warbrick, Stanley Huen (dev.), Jai Bowden (dev.)
Off-contract at the end of 2025
Grant Anderson, Bronson Garlick, Tui Kamikamica, Trent Loiero, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Lazarus Vaalepu, Christian Welch (mutual option), Tyran Wishart (club option)
Current best 17 for 2026
1. Sua Fa'alogo
2. Xavier Coates
3. Nick Meaney
4. Jack Howarth
5. Will Warbrick
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
9. Harry Grant
10. Stefano Utoikamanu
11. Shawn Blore
12. Eliesa Katoa
13. Alec MacDonald
Interchange
14. Stanley Huen
15.ย Joe Chan
16. No player signed
17. No player signed
What becomes clear looking at Melbourne's current best 17 for 2026 is that they have an excellent starting 13 but still a number of key pieces short on the interchange bench and throughout their squad.
There are a couple of players they will most likely re-sign in the coming weeks, with Tyran Wishart at the head of the list - we are going to assume he will be at Melbourne for 2026 at the very least, given the club has an option in their favour.
Other forwards will also likely be on the list, with youngster Lazarus Vaalepu potentially the key re-signing target as he becomes a first-grade regular over the coming 24 months.
Ryan Papenhuyzen's future also remains clouded, but that won't impact targets in recruitment for the club - Sua Fa'alogo is locked in.
The centres and forwards - mainly for role players - ultimately look to be where the Storm will focus.
1. Option 5: Albert Hopoate (Canberra Raiders)
In the same way that Xerri - who we discussed as the first possible target on this list - runs the ball hard and has a positive attitude, Hopoate ticks the same boxes if Melbourne were weighing up potential candidates to join their backline in 2026.
What Hopoate also brings is versatility.
He has the ability to play centre, fullback and wing, which is something that could well speak to Melbourne. Their depth in all of those positions, as it stands at least, is skinny. Ryan Papenhuyzen's future not being locked in means they could sign themselves a backup fullback without being locked into only that position.
Hopoate was at one time rated as one of the most talented young players in the game. Injuries have held him back from reaching that potential, but his last 12 or so months have been the best of his career, and there is little to no doubt that he should have plenty of clubs on his tail from November 1.
Cronulla could afford to keep Hazleton for 2026, because Oregon Kaufusi (signed for $600K from the Eels) will be off contract at the end of season 2025.
But yes, I agree he would be a great pick-up for any club. If he can stomach going to live in Melbourne, the Storm would be a great club to bring him on.