ritten by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Xavier Coates has been ruled out for the NRL season after the Melbourne Storm winger snapped his Achilles at training on Friday, dealing a major blow to the club’s finals hopes.

The Queensland representative had been working back from a pre-season Achilles injury and was close to rejoining the main squad before suffering the setback.

For more rugby league news, read Mark Nawaqanitawase Return Boosts State of Origin Hopes Ahead of Raiders Clash.

Coates Suffers Crushing Training Setback

Coates had been running again after surgery earlier this year, with Melbourne Storm initially targeting round 10 for his return before his recovery took longer than expected.

"I was running and it just popped," a shattered Coates said.

"I was only running at about 50 per cent and it just went."

The 25-year-old is set for another round of surgery after seeing a specialist. At his best, Coates gives Melbourne Storm a major aerial threat and finished last season with 20 tries in 22 games.

Storm Rally For Tight Win

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy said the players were told about Coates’ injury before their match against Newcastle Knights at AAMI Park.

The Storm then held on for a 32-30 win in a seesawing contest, extending their 11-year winning run over Newcastle Knights at the venue.

Captain Harry Grant said the news was difficult for the squad to hear.

"I think it was only a couple of weeks from returning … Xav's the ultimate team man, he always puts everyone before himself, and you know what you're going to get from him week in, week out," Grant said.

"The club's got his back now, and I think for Xav, he knows that a lot of people have been through that injury and come out on top.

"What he's had has been pretty off and on, up and down, and he hasn't really been able to push through it, so I guess now he will get the repair done, the full rupture, and fingers crossed get on with a clean slate of the rehab journey."

Official NRL updates are available through the NRL website.