The Melbourne Storm’s off-season has been dealt another severe setback with the confirmed departures of versatile stars Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart at the conclusion of the 2026 NRL season. Both players are widely anticipated to join the newly formed Perth Bears, marking a significant coup for the expansion club’s inaugural recruitment drive.
Meaney, a former Knight and Bulldog who found a home in Melbourne since 2022, evolved into an indispensable asset for the Storm. His adaptability saw him excel on the wing, at centre, and most notably at fullback during Ryan Papenhuyzen’s extended injury absences. His exit creates a critical void, particularly in goal-kicking—a specialist role where the club now admits to having no proven depth.
Wishart, equally valued for his utility value, emerged as a formidable force off the bench, with the capacity to start in the halves or at dummy-half. His departure further depletes a squad already reeling from the losses of Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, and Jonah Pezet.
In emotional farewell statements, both players expressed profound gratitude toward the Storm organization. Meaney described the choice to leave as “the hardest decision,” citing his family’s deep connections to the club. Wishart echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the Storm for granting him his first-grade debut and vowing full commitment to a successful 2026 campaign.
Storm CEO Justin Rodski acknowledged the difficulty of losing players of such calibre but respected their decisions. The club now faces the dual challenge of managing immediate on-field deficiencies while leveraging its financial flexibility and pathways program to rebuild roster depth for the future.