Ryan Papenhuyzen set to re-sign with Melbourne Storm despite a desperate bid from Phil Gould’s Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are set to turn their attention back to Ben Hunt, after Canterbury supremo Phil Gould failed in a secret last-ditch attempt to poach Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen.
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Canterbury football boss Phil Gould has failed to pull off a Ryan Papenhuyzen heist but the Bulldogs remain in the fight for Ben Hunt as they brace for the Queensland and Australian star to make a call on his future early next week.
This masthead can reveal Gould made a furtive southern sortie on Wednesday but it is understood the Storm have staved off the Canterbury supremo’s last-ditch bid as the 2020 Clive Churchill Medallist prepares to ink a one-year extension.
Storm officials insist more talks need to take place but their confidence is growing that Papenhuyzen will commit to the club for at least another season, taking him through until the end of 2027.
The Bulldogs were regarded as frontrunners to secure Papenhuyzen’s signature and this masthead understands ‘Gus’ Gould travelled to Melbourne as the battle for the fullback’s signature intensified.
Gould’s trip south was evidence of Canterbury’s determination to lure Papenhuyzen to Belmore, but the Storm empire looks to have struck back in a bid to ensure the champion custodian stays loyal.
The Storm have tabled a three-year extension Papenhuyzen but it is understood the fullback is weighing up a shorter deal – Melbourne have outstanding young gun Sua Fa’alogo applying pressure in the battle for the No.1 jumper and his future may hinge on Papenhuyzen.
Interestingly, Papenhuyzen is part of the same stable as Hunt, who has attracted interest from Brisbane, the Dolphins, the Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters.
Sources close to Hunt told this masthead that he still had one club to meet and they were yet to discuss financial terms with any of the interested parties. However, it is understood clubs have been told to expect a call from Hunt on his next move as early as Monday.
Once he has made a call, Hunt and the chosen club will sit down to nut out a deal. That’s when things could get interesting given the NRL is likely to closely monitor any agreement after Hunt walked out on a lucrative deal with the Dragons without taking a cent. The Bulldogs’ failure to land Papenhuyzen has left them in a strong position to compete financially given Hunt would likely request at the minimum a two-year deal.
The Dogs have plenty of money up their sleeve – Gould recently revealed they had about$1.6 million free in the salary cap to help fund a Papenhuyzen heist.
That money could now be used to lure Hunt to the club where he could play in the halves alongside Matt Burton. The Bulldogs have held talks with their current No.7 Toby Sexton but if Hunt arrives, he is likely to be surplus to requirements and may be given permission to explore his options.
Sexton has been linked with a move to Brisbane should they miss out on Hunt. Bulldogs half Drew Hutchison, who started the season in first grade before losing the spot to Sexton, could also be deemed surplus to requirements should Hunt arrive.
The Roosters have already spoken to Hunt about joining them and helping compensate for the absence of Sam Walker for the first half of the season while the Broncos have explored bringing him back to the club as they await a final call on the fate of Ezra Mam.
The Dolphins have the financial artillery to blow their competitors out of the water on Hunt but there have been persistent rumours that he and his family would like to stay in Sydney, which would weigh in favour of the Roosters and Bulldogs.
Gould last week revealed he was on the hunt for players to beef-up Canterbury’s roster as part of his succession planning for 2026, admitting the Bulldogs had significant funds in the salary cap to potentially sign a marquee star.,
“I am always thinking two or three years down the track,” Gould told the Footy Talk podcast last week.
Asked how much money the Bulldogs had in the salary cap, Gould said: “We were a long way under the salary cap, we were $700,000 under the cap (this year) and about another $900,000 we paid for players to leave, so that’s $1.6 million.
“The Bulldogs had lost their DNA and during this period we have been able to reconnect with our successful era.
“Corporately, our administration and Aaron Warburton (CEO) has done a great job, but they can’t do that unless we are winning games and showing promise on the field.
“It’s difficult to turn things around because this competition is extremely close and the competition for quality players and talent is quite fierce and costs a lot of money.
“This year was the start of what we were trying to do. It’s only the start. We are only getting started now and if you look at 2026, which is 15 months away, we’ve only got 20 players signed, and three or four guys are young fellas.”
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