Melbourne Storm have granted journeyman prop Ryan Tandy an immediate release from the remainder of his 2010 contract.

Tandy, who played in Melbourne's 2009 grand final, will link with Canterbury for the rest of this season on Monday once he has been officially cleared to make the switch.

The Bulldogs have already signed another Storm player, outstanding Kempsey discovery Aiden Tolman, who will join them in 2011.

Storm football manager Frank Ponissi confirmed on Saturday that Tandy, who has played 10 games for Melbourne this season and was named in their side to play the Sydney Roosters on Monday night, had reluctantly asked for a release following an approach by the Bulldogs.

"Canterbury approached us during the week for permission to talk to Ryan," Ponissi told AAP.

"We would have liked him to see out the season with us but he was on the minimum wage and we probably could not have retained him in 2011 so it was an opportunity for him to cement his future next season.

"Realistically we would have struggled to make him an offer."

Ponissi said the club still was involved in legal action over the salary cap and could not enter into negotiations with players.

Tandy, 28, who played for Ireland in the 2008 World Cup, made his NRL debut for St George Illawarra in 2003, also had stints with South Sydney and Wests Tigers.

Since switching to Melbourne last year, Tandy's game has improved considerably and the club said his departure was very "amicable".

"Ryan was on the scrap heap when he came to us," said Ponissi.

"But he has been terrific for us and he played in our grand final side last year."

Ponissi said highly regarded Maitland teenager Robbie Rochow would come into the Storm side against the Roosters.

"Robbie captained our under-20 side to the premiership last year and he's a very talented kid," said Ponissi.

"He's very excited about his debut and so are we," he said.

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