Ryan Papenhuyzen posts from hospital after heartbreaking injury against Broncos

Desperately unlucky Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen has updated fans with a powerful response after his heartbreaking injury against the Broncos.

Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen

Fallen Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has posted a powerful update from hospital after another heartbreaking injury against the Broncos on Friday night.

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The 25-year-old took to his Instagram story to give fans the thumbs up and indicate he remained steadfast and in good spirits after fracturing his ankle.

“We go again, love ya,” Papenhuyzen wrote.

While initially reported as a compound fracture, meaning that the bone pierced the skin, resulting in a greater risk of infection and generally a longer recovery time, the Storm has since confirmed there was no compound fracture, a small silver lining for Papenhuyzen.

Ryan Papenhuyzen posts from his hospital bed. Pic: Instagram

Ryan Papenhuyzen in action before the injury. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Melbourne Storm’s general manager of football, Frank Ponissi said the whole club was devastated by the incident which occurred just weeks after the fullback completed his recovery from a badly broken kneecap.

“We’re obviously devastated for Ryan suffering another setback after spending a significant time away from the game after injuring his knee last year,” Ponissi said.

“He’s worked extremely hard to get back to the NRL over that time and left no stone unturned in his recovery.

“We know that he is the ultimate professional on and off the field and this is just another challenge that he will take on with both hands.

“His surgery went well this morning and, at this stage, we expect him to be back training in the new year but for now we’re focused on ensuring he is getting the right care.”

Ryan Papenhuyzen was in tears. Pic: Adam Head

With seven minutes left in the loss to the Broncos in the second qualifying final, Papenhuyzen was tripped by his teammate while both went for a tackle.

But while it seemed innocuous, it was clearly bad when he clutched his ankle and was in tears as he was stretchered off the field.

A matter of weeks after he returned from a catastrophic knee cap fracture that had him out of the game for more than a year, Papenhuyzen appears to have another long recovery ahead of him.

“Oh no, oh no, oh goodness me,” Dan Ginnane said as Papenhuyzen grabbed for his ankle.

“Oh this is terrible. If anyone in out game does not deserve this, it’s Ryan Papenhuyzen. He has come back after more than a year on the sidelines.

“Sometimes this game is not fair. It’s been a pretty bad night for the Storm but it just became a whole lot worse.”

It’s brutally unlucky for Paps, who only just returned from a knee injury. Photo: Adam Head

Corey Parker called it a “terrible, terrible incident”.

“That’s a real bad one … It’s a cruel game,” Parker added.

“Out of the game for over a year, rehab, after a horrific knee injury. From what we saw, another horrific injury with now what looks to be the right ankle.

“You just can’t believe it.”

“He had to look away. This is awful, awful,” Paul Vautin said on Nine.

Post-match, Storm star Cameron Munster said it was hard to see.

“I feel sorry for him,” Munster said.

“It’s not good news. The poor fella just got back from an injury. Hopefully he can come back and we can see the Papy we know can play.

“Devastating news for him and the club and we are fully behind him.”

Ryan Papenhuyzen is looking at another long-term stint on the sidelines. Photo: Adam Head

Fox League’s Jake Duke said it was “one of the more devastating sidelines I’ve been on”.

Papenhuyzen was still at the stadium post-match as the club awaited an ambulance to take him to hospital.

The injury made a bad night horrific for the Storm as the side was absolutely clueless in attack as the Broncos constantly denied their attack.

The Broncos earned themselves a home preliminary final, while the Storm wait to see whether they face either the Sharks or the Roosters in next week’s semi-final.