Search

show me:

Papenhuyzen extends contract with Storm

3 minute read

Dashing young fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has extended his NRL contract with Melbourne until 2022, saying the Storm can help him play his best football.

A discussion with retired NRL superstar Billy Slater reinforced to exciting young fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen that he'd made the right decision to stick with Melbourne.

Papenhuyzen had a breakout 2019, which lead to a swag of offers for him to return home to Sydney.

But the 21-year-old said he was a work in progress and felt the Storm were best-placed to help him reach his goals.

"I stripped it back to the fact that I wanted to be the player I wanted to be and I feel like I'm going to get that here at the Storm," Papenhuyzen said on Thursday.

"I'm only just starting to lay the foundations now ... and the group we've got here are going to help me get better as a player."

Slater has mentored Papenhuyzen over the past two years and the pair sat down post-season to reflect on his progress and what lay ahead in his second year playing NRL.

"He told me his story and we talked about being away from the media hype in Sydney and Brisbane," Papenhuyzen said.

"He said, 'If you work hard you're going to have your spot in the side' and that resonated with me because it's not hard to work hard, you've got to have that attitude."

Despite locking in the fullback starting jersey Papenhuyzen said he would do all he could to stay ahead of the competition, including teammates such as Jahrome Hughes and Nico Hines.

"Billy said you have to keep laying those foundations, keep working hard and improve things around that like do a bit more video, be a smarter footy player and be confident in bringing your ideas to the team.

"What I took away from Billy was 'don't get comfortable'. You have to stay ahead of the game as it catches up with you pretty quickly."

The future of Melbourne centre Curtis Scott remains up in the air with his deal to switch to Canberra still to be finalised, as is the contract details between wantaway halfback Brodie Croft and Brisbane.

Another halfback Ryley Jacks, who spent last season with Gold Coast, is training with Melbourne to win another contract.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au