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Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen says practice makes perfect after nailing his first ever NRL field goal to keep Melbourne alive against Sydney Roosters.

Fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen's stunning field goal to keep Melbourne Storm alive against Sydney Roosters in their epic NRL encounter was no fluke.

Despite it being the 22-year-old's first field goal, Papenhuyzen said it was a skill he practised regularly at training and had upped during COVID-19 lockdown, competing against teammate Sandor Earl.

With just 10 seconds left on the clock, Papenhuyzen slotted it true from 40m out to level the Suncorp Stadium match before his captain Cameron Smith booted a penalty goal in golden point for a 27-25 victory.

"It was pretty crazy - those sort of games are what you dream of as a kid," Papenhuyzen said on Friday.

"To be put in that position where I could take the game into extra time was pretty cool and then the boys did it from there."

And in a show of his growing confidence and respect within the Storm team despite playing just 30 games, Papenhuyzen demanded Smith get him the ball as the team desperately tried to level.

"I went over to Smithy and said 'get me the ball'," Papenhuyzen said.

"He got the forwards to where we needed and then I just had to slot it and luckily enough it went over."

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy revealed post-match they had practised with Papenhuyzen, aware that Smith would have extra heat on him with Cameron Munster, who usually kicks their field goals, out injured.

The young gun said the Storm rode the momentum into golden point to end the Roosters' run of five successive wins.

Papenhyuzen said he practised field goals after every session and had benefited from competitions against Storm winger Earl when they trained together during lockdown.

"It pays off - just practising whenever, even for fun, helps out when you need it and that's what happened last night."