Melbourne Storm’s Ryan Papenhuyzen set for 100th NRL appearance

Melbourne Storm’s Ryan Papenhuyzen has been praised for his determination to overcome a host of injuries to reach 100 NRL appearances.

For all of Ryan Papenhuyzen’s impressive traits, it’s the Melbourne star’s “resilience” that impresses Storm coach Craig Bellamy the most.

Papenhuyzen is set to make his 100th NRL appearance on Sunday night when the Storm meet Canberra at Suncorp Stadium in the final game of Magic Round,

It’s a milestone that Bellamy wasn’t sure the 26-year-old fullback would reach such has been Papenhuyzen’s horror run with injuries.

Since 2021, concussion issues, a hamstring injury, a fractured kneecap and a broken ankle have resulted in Papenhuyzen spending far too much time on the sidelines, with many fearing him being forced into premature retirement such was the physical and mental toll.

Ryan Papenhuyzen will make his 100th NRL appearance in the Storm’s Magic Round clash against Canberra on Sunday night. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“He’s had a lot of injuries along the way, and to get to that 100th (game), it’s been a really big effort from him,” Bellamy said,

“A couple of times when he’s had injuries and major injuries, you think ‘Jeez, can you keep going, not just physically, but can you keep going mentally?’ but he’s just such a resilient guy.

“Through his actions with his injuries, probably the main trait that I can see is how resilient he is and how determined he is to keep going and get his way through all these obstacles that have been thrown in front of him.

“He has kept going and he’s got some real rewards from that, and we have as well.

“We’re really proud of him, and really happy that he’s with us. It’s been a tough run, but it’s been a great run, and what he adds to our team when he’s out there, we really regard that highly.”

Storm forward Eli Katoa is also due to make his 100th NRL appearance on Sunday night.

Katoa joined Melbourne ahead of the 2023 season after making 46 appearances for the New Zealand Warriors from 2020 to 2022.

Eli Katoa will chalk up 100 NRL appearances on Sunday night. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“He’s been such a big addition to our club and our team since he’s been here, so hopefully the boys can play well for them (Katoa and Papenhuyzen),” Bellamy said.

The Storm will chase their sixth win of the season on Sunday night, while the Raiders are aiming for their seventh victory in what looms as the marquee Magic Round clash.

“We just want to try to play the best football that we can play. We know what our strengths are, and hopefully we can produce that,” Bellamy said.

“The Raiders have been playing great. They’re a really sharp team, they’ve got a lot of speed and a lot of strength, and probably the big thing is they’ve got a lot of experience as well.

“They’re a very well-rounded team, and they’re playing really well at the moment. We just want to make sure we turn up and play our best game, and then we’ll see what happens from there.”

Originally published as Melbourne Storm’s Ryan Papenhuyzen set for 100th NRL appearance