NRL Grand Final Confidential: Melbourne Storm move to lock down Ryan Papenhuyzen by tabling contract extension

Melbourne Storm are doing everything in their power to prevent one of their key spine players heading to the open market on November 1, tabling a fresh contract extension for star. See the details in Grand Final Confidential.

Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp has revealed that the club has tabled a three-year extension to Ryan Papenhuyzen as they attempt to prevent one of their key figures heading to the open market on November 1.

Papenhuyzen has one year remaining on a deal that pays him just shy of $1 million a season and the Storm are keen to ensure he stays until at least the end of 2028.

Tripp was tight-lipped on the size of the deal but it is likely to be nudging $3 million as the club goes all out to retain one of the key members of their spine.

Asked whether he hoped Papenhuyzen would stay, Tripp said: “It is his right if he wants to test the open market. So be it, that is fine.

“But I think he will acknowledge and realise that our offer, while it mightn’t be able to match the other offers in terms of dollars, that consistency and continuity piece is going to be important to him.

“Off the field I am not sure there would be many guys out there with more third party deals as Paps. The whole world wants him to market their products.

Melbourne are making moves to keep Ryan Papenhuyzen at the club. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“You have to be careful what you wish for. We have had a lot of blokes leaving the club chasing bigger dollars and all of a sudden they are missing Origin and they are missing rep footy.

“All of a sudden those dollars attributed to that add up.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Storm celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park on September 27, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Papenhuyzen is knocking on the door of higher honours and although he was not part of a preliminary squad for the Pacific Championships, a big grand final may be enough to bring him back into contention.

The 26-year-old is expected to field some big offers if he heads to November 1 but Melbourne are doing everything in their power to retain him.

His future could yet have ramifications for young fullback Su’A Faalogo, who is waiting in the wings and has signed until the end of 2028.

“It is going to be hard to keep both,” Tripp said.

“Who knows? Jahrome was a fullback too. It is a first-world problem but is a problem nonetheless.

“It is something that some point in time we are going to heave to deal with.”