Ryan Papenhuyzen sees the appeal for players to join new NRL teams in Perth and PNG as he weighs up his future
The new NRL team in Perth could be confirmed as soon as Wednesday and a Storm star who is out of contract at the end of next season could be in their sights.
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Star Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen says the rare “appeal” of joining a foundation team could help lure players to new NRL outfits in both Perth and PNG and he didn’t shut the door on the chances of him making a move.
After teammate Jahrome Hughes, identified by those involved with the new Perth franchise as their No.1 target, declared he wanted to stay in Melbourne “forever”, Papenhuyzen was less committal about his long-term future.
Papenhuyzen, 26, is contracted with the Storm until the end of 2026, only signing a one-year extension late last year.
He declared his desire to “win premierships with the Storm” but said the chance to join a foundation club didn’t happen too often and could be a lure for players.
“I think there’s also an appeal of a foundation club. You don’t get many opportunities to do that, so I don’t think it would be too big of an issue to attract players,” Papenhuyzen said on Wednesday.
“I think it’s a new team, people looking for opportunities.”
Storm lost premiership players and internationals Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, as well as Felise Kaufusi, to the Dolphins when they entered the NRL in 2023 and Papenhuyzen knows plenty will be linked to the new outfits.
“Obviously, there’s speculation whenever you’re coming off contract, but I’m here right now, I want to win premierships with the Storm, we’ve got a really good squad and we’re really doing something nice.
“I’m sure when that time comes around my manager will be all over it.
“But for me, it’s just getting back here and trying to be as present as I can here because if you’re not present, you can see the results that happen like they did on the weekend.”
Papenhuyzen said coach Craig Bellamy, who delivered an almighty post-match spray after a Magic Round golden point loss to Canberra on the back of a last-second penalty, still wasn’t “over” the game.
“We had a training block today and I swear they just kept giving away penalties, so we had to defend,” he said.
“Obviously not over it yet, but hopefully tomorrow comes around and he’s moved on.”
Part of Melbourne’s review included addressing their mental state in the game, noting “little concentration lapses” had to be addressed ahead of this Sunday’s clash with the Wests Tigers at AAMI Park.
“We’re doing a lot of work on that in the mental space, and I think that’s an area we identify we need to improve on,” Papenhuyzen said.
“It’s a constant thing with our reviews now as well, you review the technical side of the game but you’re also going to ask yourself mentally were you there or were you present.
“It’s some stuff we’re working on and it’s been in sport the last few years and I think it’s only getting bigger from here.
“It doesn’t happen overnight, it’s very new to a lot of us, and I guess we’ve got to get used to it because it is a big part of the game now.”
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