Three members of Melbourne Storm’s forward pack have extended their contracts, including long-term deals for two of the club’s best young forwards.
Trent Loiero, Alec MacDonald and Tom Eisenhuth have all committed to the club following the conclusion of the 2022 season.
Back-rower Loiero, who has played 23 games in the purple jersey, has signed on until the end of the 2025 NRL season.
The 21-year-old from the Sunshine Coast made his Storm debut in 2021 and was a regular feature in this year’s top 17, playing 17 matches, including his first finals appearance against the Canberra Raiders.
Four of his Storm matches have been in the starting pack, and he will push strongly for a run-on role in a new-look Melbourne forward line-up in 2023.
One of the 2022 season’s big success stories, Alec MacDonald, will join Storm’s top 30 squad for the first time next year after signing a three-year contract.
Born in New Zealand and raised in Queensland, MacDonald came to Melbourne on a train and trial contract from the Brisbane Tigers for the 2022 pre-season and quickly impressed the club’s coaching staff.
His rapid rise eventually saw him make Storm’s team for the season opening victory against Wests Tigers.
The 20-year-old ended up playing 12 NRL games in his rookie year, showcasing his high workrate in both defence and attack.
His new contract runs until the end of the 2025 season.
The versatile Tom Eisenhuth has added another season to his Storm career which began in 2019, signing on for the 2023 campaign.
A member of the club’s Emerging Leaders group for the past two years, Eisenhuth has played 41 matches for Storm for an impressive win rate of 80%.
