Nelson Asofa-Solomona has made clear he has unfinished business with Melbourne, insisting he will be at the Storm next year after clearing the air with club bosses.
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The Kiwi front-rower's future has been in the headlines all year, at a time when the Storm actively pursued Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu.
Contracted on a big-money deal until the end of 2027 and with an option for 2028, Asofa-Solomona has been linked to a possible Tigers move or a shift to rugby union.
The forward fuelled further speculation this month when he posted a series of photos to Instagram with the caption: "All good things must come to an end".
But Asofa-Solomona has insisted that post was only about life in general, and he has since met with Storm owner Matt Tripp and CEO Justin Rodski.
"I had a bit of a yarn with (Tripp and Rodski) about where I am at generally," Asofa-Solomona said.
"It was good to go for a coffee and just have a yarn and clear the air with where I am at mentally.
"Credit to those guys, that's all we needed, to just go for a coffee and clear things up. I have a lot of respect for Matt Tripp and JR.
"Everything is all sweet. I just let my footy do the talking. Yeah (they want me to stay), and I want to stay as well."
Asked whether he had any interest in moving to rugby union, he indicated he planned to see out his contract.
"Nah, I am contracted here until 2028," the prop said.
"I just want to get through the year and see what happens."
Part of Melbourne's junior system since age 15, the 200cm forward is also adamant he has long-term plans to add to his two premierships at the Storm.
"I'm just getting started," Asofa-Solomona said.
"As long as my mind is right, I want to give back to this club. It has given me so much.
"I need to get myself right, and that gives to the team. Just control what I can control, and that is my mentality and my body."
The speculation around Asofa-Solomona's future comes after the front-rower started the year in reserve grade, while battling constant hamstring issues.
He is yet to capture his best this season, but believes he has turned things around after a fitness expedition to the Sunshine Coast during Melbourne's bye this month.
It's a remedy Asofa-Solomona has opted for before, after dropping 14kg while in Melbourne's COVID bubble in the region in 2021.
"It's a bit like (basketballer) Dennis Rodman, he goes to Vegas for 48 hours. I need to go Sunny Coast for a week," he said.
"While a lot of the boys were just chilling out, I went up there and put a lot of work into my body and mind.
"Back in 2021 I was 136kg, and my jersey was getting a little tight.
"In the six or seven weeks I was out I got down to 122kg. The heat and weather up there puts me in a good mood to train.
"I came back (from this trip) with a spring in my step. Hopefully I can show it in next few weeks."
Australian Associated Press
