Add Category
Melbourne giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona has reaffirmed his commitment to the Storm saying he wants to repay his teammates after letting them down last season.
Asofa-Solomona played his first NRL game of the season in Thursday night's win over the Roosters after spending two weeks with North Sydney in reserve grade.
The 28-year old was dogged by rumours of a potential exit from the Storm amid a difficult pre-season which was marked by repeated injuries but Asofa-Solomona says he's keen to stay in Melbourne until the end of his current deal in 2027.
"I'm committed to the Storm. I signed for four years and I want to see out my contract," Asofa-Solomona said.
"For rumours to get thrown around like that, my name to get thrown through the mud like that, it's wrong. People close to me knew the truth.
"That's what gets the clicks. My loved ones know the truth. For me, I just control what I can control and I can't control what people say on the outside.
"All I can do is play good footy and let my footy do the talking."
Asofa-Solomona played 32 minutes in the win over the Tricolours but his game time is expected to rise as he regains his fitness.
"I came back on Tuesday, did it again at the back end of the session. I missed the two weeks (of a pre-season camp) in Geelong then did it again.
"So I did it three times but it is what it is, it's part of the game, you just have to come back and put in the work.
"It was good to get a couple of games at the Bears, it really made me feel grateful for the opportunities I have at the Storm."
Asofa-Solomona is aiming to be a different player in 2024 – he admits he let the Storm down last year as he allowed his aggression to get the better of him at crucial points.
Craig Bellamy said defence was the New Zealand international's main focus against the Roosters and Asofa-Solomona wants to rise to meet the Storm coaches high expectations of both his side and Asofa-Solomona himself.
"I spoke to Craig and he wants to hold those high standards this year. We had an in-depth talk, one-on-one. He wants those high standards and I have to respect that and do what I'm told because he's the one who picks the team," Asofa-Solomona said.
"Sometimes you can take things for granted. Going back to the Bears made me grateful what I had here.
"I had a good talk with the coaches and it's about applying that energy in the right places. I felt like last year I let my team down being aggressive, too aggressive, and making silly errors of judgement, trying to get into scuffles.
"It's not part of my game anymore, I'm trying to rub it out and do what's right for the team. I'm a lover, not a fighter – but when we cross that white line it's business."