Ryan Papenhuyzen declares he’s ready to play round one as he reveals

Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen has opened up on his latest injury setback as he reveals when he will return to the footy field.

Injury-riddled Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has declared he is a “massive chance” of playing in Round 1 despite coach Craig Bellamy stating he is doubtful for the season opener.

Papenhuyzen returned from a horror few years of injuries last year to rack up 20 appearances for the Storm – the first time since 2020 he managed to reach that mark in a single season.

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The fullback bagged 13 tries and registered 11 assists during the campaign, however, it was clear he wasn’t operating at anything close to 100 per cent.

And after Melbourne coach Bellamy told AAP Papenhuyzen is “most doubtful” for Round 1, citing knee and ankle concerns, many thought the Storm fullback was in for another cursed year.

Ryan Papenhuyzen says he is confident he will be right to go for Round 1. Image: Getty

However, in the latest edition of his 167 podcast, which the fullback hosts with fellow Storm teammates Jahrome Hughes and Cam Munster, Papenhuyzen said he is confident he will line up for Melbourne’s Round 1 clash with the Eels.

“Belser (Craig Bellamy) threw me under the bus. He said it was my knee and ankle and made it sound like I’m breaking down,” Papenhuyzen said.

“But no it’s not my ankle it’s just my knee. I had a little tear in my meniscus and while that’s sweet now I’ve got a little stitching from my knee surgery that’s calcified.

“It was meant to dissolve but has calcified so that’s just caused a bit of irritation.

“But I’ve run the last couple of training sessions. It just seems to be one thing after the next but it’s not too bad I’ve just got to manage what it is. Hopefully, I get the all-clear.”

\Ryan Papenhuyzen is one of the best fullbacks in the NRL when fit. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

And when asked by Jahrome Hughes about his chances of playing Round 1, Papenhuyzen replied: “Massive chance”.

“Bowser is always glass half empty. It’s a weird one, it’s a day-by-day one,” Papenhuyzen added.

 If Papenhuyzen does take his place in the team for Round 1 it will be a huge boost, especially considering second-choice fullback Sua Fa’alogo is racing the clock to be fit after picking up a hamstring injury in the Storm’s trial game defeat to the Cowboys.

‘NRL Physio’ Brien Seeney said Fa’alogo appeared to sustain a minor strain which would often mean two to four weeks on the sideline.

Originally published as Ryan Papenhuyzen declares he’s ready to play round one as he reveals