'Could have cost him his life': Paul Gallen calls for life bans in wake of 'disgraceful' Eliesa Katoa incident
NRL legend Paul Gallen has called for life bans for those involved in the Eliesa Katoa incident that has left the Storm forward's career hanging in the balance.
During the recent Pacific Championships, the back-rower copped a head knock after a collision with Tongan teammate Lehi Hopoate in the warm-up, before suffering another two during the game before being taken to hospital.
Katoa has since undergone brain surgery and has been ruled out for the entire 2026 season, with fears he may never play rugby league again.
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The league has been conducting an investigation into what happened before, during and after the game, with the Tongan staff copping plenty of heat for allowing Katoa to take the field following the initial incident with Hopoate before kick off.
Eli Katoa and Lehi Hopoate collide during the warm-up Nine
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald this week, Gallen said that any member of the Tongan staff who are found to have been negligent in handling the 25-year-old's head knocks should face serious repercussions.
"Anyone who has not done their job properly in this matter that has clearly let the player down should be sidelined for a minimum of a year at least, if not a life ban," he said.
"It was ridiculous. Eli is out for a year at least and in judicial cases that's a factor, but this is much more serious. What happened to Katoa was a disgrace.
"I'm one who thinks some of the penalties or action we see for accidental high contact is over the top. Often ridiculous. But not in this case.
"We saw him KO'd in a warm-up then somehow allowed to play. All players want to play. But they need to be protected from themselves at times. This is one of those times.
"Unfortunately, I know what it's like to be involved in something where officials possibly should have known better and to see that person take zero responsibility with players left to carry the can more than a decade later. They are able to live their life without the burden of what happened with no impact on them or their family.
Eliesa Katoa NRL Imagery
"How's Katoa going to be in the next 10-20 years? No one yet has taken any responsibility for this. There's now an investigation. Well, the NRL need to come down like a tonne of bricks on the person or those responsible and a year is the minimum ban. This could maybe cost him his career. But forget that, it could have cost him his life.
"We had the greatest 2025 season, and unfortunately, it will end like this. Someone needs to be held responsible."
Katoa had established himself as one of the game's best edge forwards over the past few years with the Storm, but now faces the prospect of not taking the field again.
He returned to Melbourne this past week and will continue to undergo treatment.
