Former Melbourne Storm hero Glenn Lazarus’ emotional message for injured superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen

Ryan Papenhuyzen’s sickening ankle injury brought back memories for Storm premiership hero Glenn Lazarus, prompting him to deliver an emotional message to the Storm superstar.

Ryan Papenhuyzen suffered a horror injury against the Broncos. Pictures: Getty Images

Former Melbourne premiership hero Glenn Lazarus has delivered an emotional message to Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen as he faces another career-threatening injury fight.

Papenhuyzen underwent surgery on Saturday morning in Brisbane after sustaining a shocking ankle injury in Friday night’s qualifying final loss to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

The Storm fullback’s right foot was left dangling following an awkward tackle involving Broncos prop Tom Flegler and Melbourne teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

A hush went across the crowd of 50,197 in the 73rd minute as Papenhuyzen was left in agony, just three NRL games into his comeback from a serious knee injury that sidelined the 2020 Clive Churchill Medal champion for more than a year.

Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen suffered a serious ankle injury against the Broncos on Friday night. Pic. Adam Head

Papenhuyzen was in serious pain following the incident. Picture: Getty Images

Papenhuyzen, 25, was the feel-good story of the NRL season after going 384 days between games, but faces another lengthy stint in rehabilitation and fight to play again.

The full prognosis of Papenhuyzen’s injury is unclear, but if anyone knows what the Storm sensation is about to encounter it is Lazarus – the four-time premiership legend who fought back from the brink.

In 1997, Lazarus suffered a sickening complete ankle dislocation while playing for the Broncos in the World Club Challenge in England.

Glenn Lazarus suffered a bad ankle injury during the 1997 Wigan v Brisbane Super League World Club Challenge game.

But ‘The Brick With Eyes’ fought back to play an integral role in Melbourne’s first premiership team in 1999 before retiring as a legend of the game and first player to win titles with three different clubs.

Lazarus, 57, said he wanted Papenhuyzen to know there was hope.

“My heart sunk for the poor bugger and it brought back memories of my ankle injury,” he said.

“He is probably in a really dark place at the moment but I hope I can give him some light.

“It’s not the end of the world. Don’t give up. You’re still a young boy and will heal better than I did.”

Originally published as Former Melbourne Storm hero Glenn Lazarus’ emotional message for injured superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen