Papenhuyzen quits the Storm – cloud over his NRL future
Scott Bailey |
Melbourne bosses expect Ryan Papenhuyzen to leave the NRL, with defection to R360 a live possibility, after the superstar quit the Storm to consider his future.
Papenhuyzen ended weeks of talks with the Storm by requesting an immediate release this week, ending his nine-year stay at the club.
Where the fullback goes next remains a mystery, with CEO Justin Rodski insistent neither the club or the fullback know what the 27-year-old’s future looks like.
Papenhuyzen has made no secret of the fact his management have held talks with breakaway rugby competition R360, where he is believed to be a primary target.
But even that is not meant to start until next October at the earliest, leaving questions over his next move.
“I genuinely think it will be playing overseas or not playing at all,” Rodski said on SEN.
“There has been a lot of speculation about R360 and whether or not Ryan was going to sign with R360, and that could be on the cards as well.
“He may end up signing on with R360, but I just don’t know if that is something he is going to do now.
“For him professional sport’s not everything, and he came to the realisation that he just wanted to take some time to think about what he wants to do next.
“It just became clear Ryan was considering his future, and not just his future in the game but his future as a professional athlete.”
After debuting with Melbourne in 2019, Papenhuyzen has turned into one of the game’s elite players.
He won the Clive Churchill Medal in the club’s premiership success in his first full season at fullback in 2020, and has scored 77 tries in 113 matches for Melbourne.
But he has also battled long injuries in 2022 and 2023, before returning to the field more regularly for the past two seasons and helping the Storm to two grand finals.
Both of those deciders ended in defeat, with Papenhuyzen enduring a tough second half in the Storm’s 26-22 loss to Brisbane this month.
“I want to thank the club for their understanding and support throughout this process,” Papenhuyzen said in a statement.
“I also want to thank my teammates, coaches and staff for all their love and support, it’s been a privilege playing footy and working with you.
“I’ve loved my time at Melbourne Storm. I’ve enjoyed close to a decade of incredible memories and experiences in the purple jersey.”
If Papenhuyzen joins R360, he would risk a 10-year ban from the NRL as part of proposed sanctions announced by head office a fortnight ago.
He played rugby at school while growing up, and the lure of a big financial pay-day could be appealing given the 27-year-old’s wretched run with injuries.
Overseas rugby could also be an option, while Canterbury and Parramatta both made big plays for the No.1 when he was a free agent last season.
Papenhuyzen’s exit does mean Melbourne will have significant salary-cap space, with Nelson Asofa-Solomona released this month and also linked with rugby.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui could be one big-money target to return to the club, with the Gold Coast prop able to be approached from November 1 due to options in his contract with the Titans.
The Storm are expected to announce a new deal for Harry Grant soon, while Cameron Munster is off contract at the end of 2027 and sure to command interest.
Melbourne do have Sua Fa’alogo available to play fullback, while any possibility of Munster moving there is likely off the cards after young half Jonah Pezet’s release earlier this week.
AAP
