Introduction
Trent Loiero (born 27 February 2001) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Background
Loiero played his junior rugby league for the Kawana Dolphins and attended Mountain Creek State High School, Sunshine Coast before being signed by the Melbourne Storm. Loiero is of Italian descent.
Playing career
Early career
In 2018 and 2019, Loiero played for the Sunshine Coast Falcons Mal Meninga Cup and Hastings Deering Colts sides. On 5 June 2019, he played for Queensland under-18 in their 34–12 win over New South Wales. Later in 2019, he made his Queensland Cup debut for the Falcons. On 20 September 2019, he scored a try for the Falcons in their Hastings Deering Colts Grand Final win over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Melbourne Storm
In February 2020, Loiero played for the Melbourne Storm at the 2020 NRL Nines in Perth, and in the Storm's pre-season trial against the New Zealand Warriors in Palmerston North.
In Round 4 of the 2021 NRL season, Loiero made his NRL debut for Melbourne against the Brisbane Broncos. He had his debut jersey (cap 212) presented to him by Ryan Hinchcliffe. He would score his first NRL try in his second match against the Canberra Raiders.
Loiero continued to develop through the season, making six NRL appearances, with the Queenslander upgraded to the club's top-30 squad.
Loiero made 17 appearances for Melbourne during the 2022 season, making an impact from the interchange bench. He scored two tries for the season, and signed a contract extension until the end of the 2025 season.
In 2023, Loiero earnt a starting role for Melbourne following the departures of a number of forwards to the Dolphins.