’Big step forward’: Craig Bellamy provides major Ryan Papenhuyzen update, but one big question remains unanswered

It’s been almost a year since Ryan Papenhuyzen last played for the Storm, but there’s hope he could be back soon after ticking off a major milestone.

Ryan Papenhuyzen returned to Storm training this week, but it’s unclear when he’ll be given the green light to play. Picture: Supplied

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has provided an encouraging update on injured fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, saying “this week has been a big step forward for him” as he continues to recover from a sickening knee injury.

Papenhuyzen shattered his patella while trying to make a tackle on Canberra’s Jack Wighton last season, with next Monday exactly one year to the day since it happened.

He spent time in America with renowned reconditioning expert Bill Knowles to aid the recovery, and while there’s no definitive return date, there are encouraging signs that he could be back on the field soon.

Papenhuyzen trained with the team earlier in the week but hasn’t done any contact work, with the club hopeful he can ease his way back via reserve grade in a bid to have him fit and firing for the finals.

“This week has been a big step forward for him,” Bellamy said.

“It looks like he’s moving OK. I was a bit surprised earlier in the week on how well he was moving. I didn’t expect him to be moving like that.

"This is my first time kicking for goal in 12 months" pic.twitter.com/VaiIo3pyks

— Melbourne Storm (@storm) July 14, 2023

“He has been doing some stuff on his own, but this is his first dabble with the team this week. Hopefully, he’ll keep progressing like he has.

“I’m not quite sure when that’ll be (a return to Queensland Cup), and we’re not going to push it, but this week has been very promising in the progress that he’s made.”

While Papenhuyzen won’t be right to face the Roosters at the SCG on Saturday night, Bellamy is confident State of Origin trio Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Xavier Coates will all back up.

Munster has a cut on his leg but got through Friday’s session ahead of what shapes as a crucial clash with a Roosters side fighting for a top-eight spot.

The Storm has just as much to play for as it tries to hold on to a spot in the top four, which is why Bellamy has opted not to rest any of his Queensland stars this week.

The Storm coach said that was something he might do later in the season if they were in a position where they could afford to rest their stars, but he’s calling on the big guns to fire against a Roosters side that has given captain James Tedesco the week off.

Joseph Manu will play fullback after the Roosters decided to rest James Tedesco. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

That means Golden Boot winner Joseph Manu will shift to fullback, just as he did when the sides met in round 6.

The Storm kept him quiet that night as they ran out 28-8 winners, but Bellamy is on high alert this time around.

“There were a couple of games that Teddy missed at the start of the season, and Joey was fantastic for them,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter which position he plays – fullback or centre – he’s one hell of a player. He’ll be in plenty of the action tomorrow night and we’ll need to be good in our contact on him.”