After the confirmed departures of George Jennings and Jordan Grant, Tom Eisenhuth has become the next player to quit the Melbourne Storm.
He began his NRL career with the Penrith Panthers in 2012, but only played one first-grade game before spending the next five seasons with the Panthers NSW Cup team. He signed on as a lifeline with the Melbourne Storm in the middle of 2018.
He made his club debut in Round 1 of 2019 after spending the entire of 2018 with the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Melbourne’s affiliate club. He has since played 58 games with the Storm, with 18 of those coming this season.
His career also includes appearances for the Under 18 NSW Blues and being nominated to the Junior Kangaroos’ interchange bench against the Junior Kiwis in 2012.
“It’s been a been a really good one [journey], I came down here only playing the one game many years before and I’m really proud to have played 50 games and a few extra for this club, it’s been an unreal journey,” Eisenhuth said in a statement released by the club.
“I was really grateful for the opportunity; you put in a lot of hard work as a kid to work on your skill, and to have an opportunity and another shot at the dream… I was simply extremely fortunate.
“It’s been really good year for me, off the back of the year before I think I only managed to play a handful of games.
“So, to come out and play as much footy as I did this year, dodge a few injuries, and play some good football … we made it to the prelim [preliminary final], disappointing that we couldn’t go any further but for me personally it was a pretty good year.
“This club has such a good connection with their old boys, and you know to have that number [Storm player no. 192] and a few years down the line be able to come back and catch up with all those people I’ve played with and even the ones that I didn’t … it’s just it’s nice to have that connection.”
Melbourne Storm General Manager of Football Frank Ponissi thanked the leader for his years of service at the football club.
“Tom has been integral member of our squad throughout his time and is highly popular and respected among his teammates and the wider club,” Ponissi said.
“Tom has shown an incredible level of strength and resilience throughout his journey in overcoming a series of injury setbacks. The way that he has taken to those challenges both on and off the field is admirable and a testament to the person he is.
“We deeply thank Tom, his partner Hannah and his little boy Henry, for their contribution to the club over their time. They will always be welcome back to the club and we wish them all the best for their next chapter.”
