‘Someone to watch’: The ‘standout’ teen tipped to fill Storm’s giant 2m void

A teen prodigy and a firebrand recruit could help the Storm fill one of rugby league’s largest holes left by man mountain Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

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The 2m giant has ditched rugby league to take up a career in boxing, with the Storm now searching for his replacement.

Asofa-Solomona had the unique ability to skittle four defenders and get a quick play the ball for his side, but his size and aggression proved costly with the enforcer missing both of the past two grand finals through suspension.

“I think the legacy he leaves at this club is enormous,” fellow Storm forward Josh King told the NewsWire.

“He won two premierships here, played over 200 games and is a life member.

“You say that he’s left the club, but I don’t think he’ll ever really leave the club because he’ll always be a part of us.

“We will miss him next year because he’s a one-of-a-kind player, and when he’s on, there aren’t many better players than him.

“But that was his decision and in his best interests that he goes out and explores other opportunities. The best thing about Nelson is that he can go and play two or three other sports and be really successful.

“He’s chosen to chase boxing at this stage, so I wish him all the best.”

While the club is hoping to eventually lure Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui back to Melbourne in 2027, they have already started planning for the immediate future with a couple of prospects ready to rip in.

Joe Chan looks primed for a big year, fellow edge forward Ativalu Lisati signed a new deal on Thursday, while Davvy Moale will join them in 2026 before he moves to Manly.

But it’s the emergence of young gun Cooper Clarke that has club officials excited.

The talented teenager won the ‘weapon of the year’ award in 2024 for his performances in the Mal Meninga Cup, while he also represented the NSW under-19 State of Origin side this season and led the Storm to the Jersey Flegg premiership.

Clarke scored a try in that grand final win over Penrith and has dominated the pre-season where he was recognised at the club’s historic pathways session as the best trainer in the NRL squad.

“Coops is only young and has been in the first grade system for a year, but he’s been a standout this pre-season,” King said of the 19-year-old.

“He’s a lot fitter, he’s lost a bit of weight and he’s moving really well for a big fella. He’s got a fair bit of skill and physical attributes for someone so young who still has a couple of years of junior footy in him.

“I think he’s certainly someone to watch, and it could be sooner rather than later that he gets his opportunity.”

Storm coach Craig Bellamy may not want to rush Clarke, a scenario that would give new recruit Jack Hetherington his chance after stints with the Panthers, Warriors, Bulldogs and Knights.

Hetherington has always been talked up as one of the most talented forwards in the game, and he should unlock his potential at the Storm if he can harness his aggression.

“He’s a real larrikin. When he gets in the moment, he has got a bit of that fire in him which I think is good sometimes,” King said.

“He’s got a lot of aggression which is something I think that we really need in the forward pack.

“We’ve got Stef (prop Stefano Utoikamanu) who is a big, powerful thing, but it’s good to have someone to go off the back of that.”