Whether his long-term future is in Perth or remaining in Melbourne, Nick Meaney's short-term plans are to play in the centres rather than chase the Storm's vacant fullback jersey.
Ryan Papenhuyzen's shock off-season departure, walking away from his contract with a year to run, means the Storm will have at least one change to their first-choice backline in 2026.
But Meaney, who admitted he has been in talks with incoming NRL club Perth, is content to stay put in the centres, plumping for excitement machine Sua Fa'alogo to wear the No.1 jersey.
"We've got Sua there and he's a very handy football player," the 28-year-old said on Friday.
"I think it's good that he'll get first crack at fullback, hopefully, and I can keep doing my stuff at centre.
"Sua's had a bit of a rollercoaster career himself already but I think he's a very talented player.
"He can learn a lot more about the game and obviously it's up to us players around him and staff as well to help him get to that next level and be a ... top-tier fullback."
Asked whether Fa'alago, who has played 22 games since making his 2023 debut, had bulked up in the off-season, Meaney said he'd talked to the 22-year-old about the same thing.
"I was actually asking him what gym he goes to in the off-season and he said, 'No, I've got one at home', so I reckon every day he's on the gym and then on the PlayStation and back on the gym," Meaney laughed.
Following back-to-back grand final losses, Papenhuyzen quit the NRL looking to shift his life in another direction, and so far has no plans to return.
Meaney agreed his teammate had made the right call.
"Chatting to him, it was probably best for him to step away for a bit.
"We all know that he's been through a lot in his career with injuries and probably pressure from the media and outside noise as well, it can take its toll on everyone.
"Hopefully we see him back in the game in the near future."
With two young sons at home, Meaney is still weighing up his next move, with the Bears, who join the competition in 2027, in the mix.
"We've chatted with them (Perth) and obviously had a lot of conversations with Melbourne.
"I'm still going through the process at the moment and what's best for my future and my family as well.
"Hopefully in the near future have something set in stone, whether that's here or there or somewhere else as well, I'm not sure yet.
"I'm always open to anything but I've loved my time here at Storm - it's been great and I'm looking forward to next year."
