Storm lock in 'Walsh-like' rookie on monster deal

Melbourne has locked in one of the most promising young players in the NRL, with boom rookie Sua Fa’alogo signing a bumper five-year contract extension.

The 20-year-old made his first grade debut for the Storm at the back-end of last season and impressed with a scintillating performance against the Broncos.

Fa’alago would soon become a Samoan international, featuring in the Pacific Championships and placing himself firmly on the radar of rival clubs.

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But in a show of loyalty, the young fullback has opted to commit long-term with the Storm and expressed his gratitude towards the club.

Sua Fa’alogo is a star on the rise at the Melbourne Storm.

“It is really unbelievable for me to be playing next to guys like [Cameron] Munster, Paps [Ryan Papenhuyzen], Harry [Grant] and Hughesy [Jahrome Hughes],” Fa’alogo said.

“I am a proud Melbourne boy and proud Samoan.

“My family is here and I loved playing footy with Northern Thunder growing up. To have the chance to be part of the Storm is a dream come true.

“I can’t thank Craig (Bellamy) and the club enough for what they have done for me over the last couple of seasons and hope I can repay them on the field when my time comes.”

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Fa’alogo is in the mix for a spot in the Storm line-up in the opening round of the season, but isn’t expected to earn a starting spot given the presence of Ryan Papenhuyzen.

However, on Wide World Of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth, rugby league greats Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler both urged Craig Bellamy to include him in a utility-style role in 2024, likening Fa’alago to other Storm superstars.

“They always do that – they bring these young blokes in that play in all random positions,” Fittler explained.

“Papenhuyzen came through, Cooper Cronk came through – whether you’re a halfback or fullback, he [Bellamy] puts you in the middle for a while.”

The rising star has also earned high praise from club legend and arguably the greatest fullback of all time in Billy Slater, who compared him to an incumbent Maroons star.

“You can talk about getting under the high ball, and try-saving tackles where he gets his body in a good technical position, but that raw ability and natural gift he’s been given, that’s the exciting part,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald in October.

“He’s a little bit like Reece Walsh … easy to watch in terms of their raw ability.”