NRL Market Watch: Bulldogs inch closer to nabbing Ryan Papenhuyzen off the Storm

As Canterbury’s interest in Ryan Papenhuyzen deepens, Melbourne are counting on a miracle to keep their star fullback at the club.

Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Storm. Picture: Getty Images

The chase for Ryan Papenhuyzen is set to intensify with the Bulldogs firming in their bid to lure the star fullback out of Melbourne.

Storm officials will aim to meet with Papenhuyzen this week to advance negotiations amid a powerful play from Canterbury, which could see Melbourne struggle to compete financially.

There is increasing confidence across the game that the Bulldogs will secure the premiership-winning fullback.

The Storm have made no secret of their desire to retain Papenhuyzen on an extended contract, with their patience and faith in the outstanding No.1 to return from serious injury an indication of their belief in the 26-year-old.

However, the Storm are resigned to hoping Papenhuyzen stays for less money than what he could get on the open market and notably from the Bulldogs, who have been in serious discussions with the 2020 Clive Churchill medallist.

The Storm are hoping Ryan Papenhuyzen will take less money to stay at the club. Picture: Getty Images

As first revealed by this masthead last September, the Bulldogs played $1.6 million short on their salary cap in 2024 - a saving that will allow Canterbury to make a massive splash on a player of Papenhuyzen’s quality.

The Dogs are also keeping a close eye on the future of Ben Hunt.

Conversely, the Storm are heading towards a huge 18 months of recruitment with some of their biggest names off-contract.

They have also lost just Reimis Smith for 2025, while adding in-demand Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu.

Along with attempting to retain Papenhuyzen, who is off-contract at the end of 2025, the Storm have an extraordinary 11 players from the 2024 grand final off-contract at the end of 2026.

Ryan Papenhuyzen and partner Emma MacDonald. Picture: Jason Edwards

The star-studded list includes Harry Grant, Shawn Blore, Tyran Wishart, Xavier Coates, Jahrome Hughes, Trent Loiero, Nick Meaney, Will Warbrick, Christian Welch, Josh King and Tui Kamikamica.

Adding another layer of complexity to the Papenhuyzen negotiations is that the Storm also have a delicate decision to make on transitioning rising star and fullback Sua Fa’alogo into a regular starting position given their huge long-term investment until the end of 2028.

It’s understood that if Papenhuyzen re-signs at the Storm, Fa’alogo’s management have a verbal agreement that he can explore his options.

There have been suggestions that the Sharks are also in the hunt for Papenhuyzen. However, this masthead can report that Cronulla won’t be making a play for the Storm star.

The Bulldogs have fullback options Connor Tracey and Blake Taafe contracted through until 2026 and 2025 respectively.

Papenhuyzen has shown no sign that the impending decision on his future is playing on his mind. In recent weeks, he has posted images playing golf, at the Melbourne Cup carnival and spending time with his new partner, content creator Emma MacDonald.