‘Deciding to leave has been the hardest’: Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart to leave Storm, expected to join Bears

Melbourne’s off-season from hell has continued with another two stars confirming they won’t be at the club in 2027.

Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart made their Storm debuts in round one of the 2022 season and have been outstanding contributors in a number of roles.

Meaney joined Melbourne after stints with the Knights and Bulldogs, and has been terrific on the wing, at centre and at fullback when Ryan Papenhuyzen was injured.

With Papenhuyzen gone and Meaney set to leave, the Storm desperately need to find a goal-kicker for 2027 given it’s an area they have no depth in.

Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jonah Pezet have already left, and Nick Meaney will leave the Storm at the end of the year. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Nick Meaney says deciding to leave the Storm has been the hardest decision. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“Coming to this club was the easiest decision I’ve ever made, but deciding to leave has been the hardest,” Meaney said.

“My wife and I are forever grateful for everything this club has given us. We’ve met some of our closest friends and have raised our two boys here, who absolutely love everyone at the club.

“Regardless of my future, I am 100 per cent committed to helping Storm achieve our ultimate goal in 2026.

“It is a true honour to wear the purple jersey, and it’s going to be incredibly tough to leave.”

While the Bears haven’t confirmed anything, it is expected the pair will become the latest signings for a club that is starting to put together a very competitive squad.

Wishart looms as a key get for Perth but it’s unclear what role he will play given he is an outstanding bench utility who can also comfortably start in the halves or at dummy-half.

“I’ll be forever grateful to Storm for many things, but especially for giving me the opportunity to play first grade footy,” Wishart said.

“The club welcomed me in almost five years ago and I’ve learned so much in that time.

“The quality of people within the club made it incredibly hard to make this decision and I know I’ll always look back on my time in Melbourne fondly.

“For now though I’m fully committed and focused for a big 2026, and can’t wait for the season ahead.”

Tyran Wishart (left) will be a huge loss for the Storm. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The impending loss of two key players from their grand final side is a further blow to the Storm who have already lost Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jonah Pezet for the 2026 season and beyond.

They do have plenty of cash to splash and will have to rely on their growing pathways program for young talent to provide much-needed depth.

“Both Nick and Tyran have been fantastic contributors to our club over the past four seasons,” Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said.

“It’s always difficult to lose people of the calibre of Nick and Tyran but we understand their decision given the opportunity in front of each of them.

“We know both players will be looking to finish their time in purple on the best possible note and will be fully focused on the task at hand between now and the end of 2026.”