Inside Melbourne Storm’s fullback factory: Ryan Papenhuyzen admits No.1 guns could force positional switch
Ryan Papenhuyzen admits Melbourne’s flourishing fullback factory could force him out of the position he has made his own. Meet the fullback phenoms gunning for Papenhuyzen’s jersey.
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Melbourne’s fullback factory is in full churn - and star No.1 Ryan Papenhuyzen has conceded it may eventually force him out of position.
The emergence of 21-year-old gun Sualauvi Fa’alogo and SG Ball whiz Hugo Peel adds to the club’s long production line of fullbacks.
It started with club legend Billy Slater, who remains a mentor for Papenhuyzen and the developing duo.
Papenhuyzen has opened up about the competition for spots, his future beyond his current contract with Storm, and the sliding-doors moments that led to him to the club in the first place.
FULLBACK FRENZY
An abundance of options is something of which the 25-year-old livewire is conscious as he nears the end of his deal in 2025.
“It’s a never-ending production line of fullbacks at the moment,” he says.
“It’s quite wild, but it just goes to show the systems we have in place and how willing Billy is to give back. Whether it’s Billy or it’s myself trying to help the younger guys, there’s a really good culture in that regard at the moment.
“You just want to leave the jersey in a better position than when you found it.”
Fa’alogo burst on to the scene at the end of last season and recently earned a five-year contract extension, which shows he’s part of the club’s long-term plans.
Peel is a part of the club’s developing pathways, and has recently been upgraded to the club’s Jersey Flegg side.
“It’s impressive, they’re so open to learning. They’re not arrogant, they don’t assume they’re ready to play a certain spot in the team yet, they’re always asking questions, you can see when they go back to their team the guys look up for them,” Papenhuyzen says.
“I think that’s a really good place to be when you’re fighting for a spot.
“At the end of the day we’re playing to win a premiership, and wherever the coach wants to put you, we’re all on board to play in that position or whatever role we need to.
“Competition is always healthy, and that makes you a better fullback.”
Coach Craig Bellamy has previously spoken about how he plans to handle Fa’alogo’s transition into the NRL, saying he’s ready now.
But it’s a juggling act. And for Papenhuyzen, if that means shifting to accommodate the change eventually, so be it.
“I’m sure there’ll be a stage when those guys are knocking in the door, but at the moment I feel like I’m in a really good spot in what I offer to the team and what’s needed. If we need a change down the track, I’m open to that,” he says.
PLAYING FUTURE
It goes without saying that he’s thinking about his future - and he’s open to anything.
It’s been a rough few years dealing with injury setbacks for the 2020 premiership winner, and for the moment he’s happy stringing NRL games together.
But it would be naive not to think about what’s next.
His deal expires with Melbourne at the end of 2025, meaning rival clubs can have formal talks with him come November 1.
He will have no shortage of offers if he goes to market, including from clubs in Sydney where his family still lives.
“It’s that time now where the only club that can talk to you is the one you’re at, and if they’re keen they’ll be talking to you. As the year goes on, I’ll probably get an understanding of where they’re at,” he says.
“I’m pretty open to anything. I love being at the club, and I still feel like there’s a lot to get out of the group we have. But you’ve got to be realistic, and whatever gets thrown at you’ve got to take.
“There are sliding-door moments getting thrown at you where you might not realise the message, but eventually you’ll figure it out.”
AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT
After all, a sliding-doors moment delivered him to Melbourne from the Wests Tigers in 2017, when he believed James Tedesco would remain at the club.
“I moved because I thought Teddy was signing with the Tigers, so I knew I wasn’t going to be playing first grade wherever I was,” he says.
“But it was the whole experience and who was going to mentor me that I based my decision on. It’s one of the better decisions I’ve made.
“(Melbourne) could have picked so many other fullbacks in my age group or even above or below. But I was the lucky one they picked to come into a system that was already successful, full of some of the greatest players and coaches among the best in the game. So I feel very lucky, and know that opportunity doesn’t come around to too many people.
“That would be my advice to players who get offered deals from Melbourne or other highly successful clubs.
“You might not get your opportunity straight away, you might feel like you’ve missed the boat and guys you play reps with will be making teams and playing NRL.
“But in the long run, the way you can develop and the influences around you, they’re the things that matter.”
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Originally published as Inside Melbourne Storm’s fullback factory: Ryan Papenhuyzen admits No.1 guns could force positional switch
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