The contradictions of Melbourne Storm giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona are obvious but as he prepares for his 200th NRL game there’s no question he’s driven by his “caring heart”, respect and a willingness to learn from the best in what has been an elite career.
One of the game’s biggest and most powerful players, the 28-year-old is as feared by opposition players as he is loved by his teammates for the impact he can make with his fearless 115kg, 200cm frame.
His on-field efforts have delivered bracing and memorable moments, for good and bad, the latest being a collision which left teammate Cameron Munster’s nose bloodied, after which Asofa-Solomona had a “quiet word” to himself about his actions.
“I’ve got a bad history of injuring my own blokes,” he said on Wednesday ahead of his milestone match.
Opposition players have fared worse, however, and Asofa-Solomona’s name has featured regularly on charge sheets from the NRL judiciary over the course of his 10 seasons. He racked up nearly $12,000 in fines in 2022 alone, and even last week copped an $1800 sting for his second careless tackle charge this season.
But that on-field persona belies the caring teammate who has set up a coffee club at the Storm, a “safe space” for players to “open up” about issues.
A Safe Space for Players
Carrying on a tradition started by the club’s welfare officer, Asofa-Solomona said it was a process he used to “feel lighter” about his world, which in turn helped him play better, and the results have been for all to see.
“You’re in the locker room and a lot of different chats in there and I thought I could open a safe space for the lads to open up,” he said. “It’s a really safe place and nothing leaves that room. And life just has different when you get older. So it’s just good just to know that you’ve got brothers that care about you and that want to help you outside of footy.
“And I feel like I’ve got a caring heart for the lads. And I want to make sure I use that strength that I have for the boys. So I want to make sure I apply that. Boys used to get a lot out of it and you just see the boys when they leave the meeting they just feel lighter and I feel like they’ve got a ton off their shoulders and I just know me personally I play better when I have my problem in a way by bringing it to light.”
Leading By Example
It’s an element of leadership Asofa-Solomona has grown into, having “observed” the likes of NRL legends Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk exhibit in his early days at Melbourne. Now as he joins them in becoming 200-gamers at Melbourne, Asofa-Solomona is realising the impact he can have, and all he wants to do, is make his team happy.
“As funny as it sounds, I just started to realise my experience, you know, I’ve been there for a long time,” he said. “And a lot of young boys, whether I like it or not, leadership’s a part of experience and the boys look to me sometimes and I just need to embrace that to be honest and that’s what I’m doing right now, hence why I’m doing the groups and just trying to be useful to be honest.”
Thriving in Chaos
But while he’s good with chats and likes to share, he said it’s the maelstrom of games where the “best Nelson” really comes out.
“I was telling the boys in the small groups, I thrive in chaos, when my back is against the wall, that’s when I do my bets work, when I have something to prove, that’s when you see the best Nelson,” he said. “I can’t;t change other people’s’s opinions or what they says. I listen to my heart, listen to God, listen to my family. It doesn’t affect me at all. It just makes me hungrier, to do whatever makes the team happy, what makes us win.”
The Caring Giant
Asofa-Solomona's journey embodies a powerful message: strength and compassion can coexist. His commitment to his teammates extends beyond the field, demonstrating that leadership can be found in unexpected places, like a coffee club. This seemingly simple initiative has allowed Asofa-Solomona to connect with his teammates on a deeper level, fostering a sense of unity and support that translates into on-field success. His dedication to his team, both on and off the field, solidifies his status as a true leader, a caring giant who thrives in the chaos of the game while providing unwavering support to his brothers in arms.
