‘He’s made a little progress’: Craig Bellamy reveals crucial breakthrough in Ryan Papenhuyzen recovery

Craig Bellamy press conferences never fail to disappoint, with the Storm leader providing a major Ryan Papenhuyzen update.

Ryan Papenhuyzen has made progress this week in his bid to return from a knee injury. Picture; Brad Fleet

His return date remains a mystery but Ryan Papenhuyzen has made a major breakthrough in his rehab, with the Storm fullback running on land this week as he continues to recover from a shocking knee injury that ended his 2022 season early.

Papenhuyzen has been limited in his movements since he shattered his kneecap against the Raiders last year, with the club even sending him to America to work with renowned specialist Bill Knowles to get his body right.

Ryan Papenhuyzen has been doing plenty of work in the pool but has made good progress on land this week. Picture; Supplied

The club provided an update in a recent rehab report that said Papenhuyzen was “building his running volumes”, with a club official indicating he’d run on sand and grass this week.

It’s clear that the flashy fullback still has a long way to go before he can even start thinking about a return to the field, but his coach did provide an encouraging update when asked at the team’s hotel in Sydney.

“He’s made a little progress,” Craig Bellamy said.

“I think he’s started to run on land, not so much in deep water now.

“That’s a progression – I’m not quite sure how much of a progression – you don’t want to take any chances because it’s been a long progress. There’s still a little work to go, but I’d like to think that’s a really positive step forwards.”

Papenhuyzen has made plenty of progress since he returned from his rehab work in America. Picture: Supplied

Any news is good news when it comes to Papenhuyzen, but Bellamy was more tight-lipped when asked about the Storm’s greatest ever fullback and whether Billy Slater was the right man to replace him when he eventually retired.

Bellamy said the club had given him a couple more weeks to think about it, adding “I haven’t changed my mind” when asked if this would be his last season in Melbourne.

The Storm has several options for next year, with Slater, Jason Ryles and assistant coach Marc Brentnall all in the mix.

Slater is one of the leading candidates given his strong link to the club as well as his successful start to life as the Maroons coach, and Bellamy said he’d be “an ideal man to do it” if he wanted the gig.

Billy Slater would have to give up his media commitments if he were to become the Storm’s head coach. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“That’s not a decision for me. I’m sure if that’s the way they went then he’d do a great job,” he said.

“Billy has got a few things going on away from footy with his horses and his commentary. If he has got that itch to coach, then he’s getting it scratched during Origin.

“It’d be a big decision for Bill, but if it happens, then I’m sure he’d be an ideal man to do it.

“Everyone knows how well prepared he is for his commentary, how well prepared he was as a player and well prepared he had his Origin teams. I couldn’t imagine a guy that’s never coached NRL being better prepared than Bill.”

Slater is no stranger to the Storm coaching staff having done plenty of work with the club since he retired. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Bellamy has other things to worry about at the moment, declaring last week’s win over the Wests Tigers a “relief” following back-to-back losses to the Bulldogs and Titans.

They now take on a South Sydney side that has beaten them just six times from their 37 meetings, but Bellamy said history wouldn’t help them ahead of a brutal stretch that also includes matches against the Roosters and Sea Eagles in coming weeks.

“It was a bit of relief, especially the way we played the two weeks before. We got back to a bit of normality,” he said.

“It’s a great record and we appreciate it, but at the end of the day, that’s not going to help us on Friday night. Souths are a good side and have got a lot of good individual players.”

Originally published as ‘He’s made a little progress’: Craig Bellamy reveals crucial breakthrough in Ryan Papenhuyzen recovery