Ryan Papenhuyzen suffers broken knee cap in ‘devastating’ setback

Ryan Papenhuyzen’s season could be over, with the Melbourne Storm fullback suffering a broken knee cap on Sunday afternoon.

Ryan Papenhuyzen just can’t catch a break.

The Melbourne Storm fullback was carried off AAMI Park after suffering a broken knee cap during Sunday afternoon’s four-point loss to the Canberra Raiders.

Papenhuyzen sustained the injury in the 18th minute of the Round 18 clash following a heavy head-on tackle with Raiders captain Jack Wighton at the 40-metre line.

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The 24-year-old, who was unable to put any weight on his right leg, received treatment from team medics before retiring to the sheds in agony.

Fox Sports reporter Jake Duke later confirmed that Papenhuyzen had been taken to hospital, and was expected to undergo surgery on Monday.

“He’s in a lot of discomfort,” Fox League commentator Warren Smith said.

Former New South Wales representative Michael Ennis continued: “That’s the last thing they needed.

“He can’t put any weight on it, this is a real concern for Papenhuyzen.

“This is devastating for Melbourne. He’s in all sorts. He cannot even put any pressure on it all.”

Papenhuyzen is now facing an extended period on the sidelines, with recovery time estimated to be anywhere between six weeks and six months.

He has already missed a large chunk of the 2022 season after sustaining a PCL tear during Melbourne’s Round 9 victory over the Dragons, tearing his hamstring in the same incident.

Meanwhile, he only played 15 NRL games last year due to concussion.

Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Storm. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, Storm coach Craig Bellamy confirmed Papenhuyzen’s season was all but over.

“He’s got a broken kneecap,” he explained.

“He wouldn’t be back I’d probably imagine.

“Yeah, it just seems to keep happening these injuries, it’s obviously disappointing.”

Ryan Papenhuyzen off with a knee injury, direct contact & can see lower leg violently forced backwards. Concern in these cases usually a PCL injury, but Paps already tore his PCL earlier this season. Traumatic contact brings high risk of fracture too. Wide range of outcomes here pic.twitter.com/4NegYDMFEB

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 17, 2022

I’m a @RaidersCanberra fan, but hate seeing an exciting player like Ryan Papenhuyzen go off like that… he’s great to watch in full flight.
#NRLStormRaiders

— Craig Norenbergs (@CraigNorenbergs) July 17, 2022

PAPY 😭😭😭#NRLStormRaiders

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) July 17, 2022

Young gun James Schiller scored two tries in the Raiders’ stirring 20-16 win over Melbourne, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Storm.

The Raiders kept in touch of the top eight on the back of the victory inspired by a stellar second-half performance from Wighton and Adam Elliott, who fronted up in attack and defence.

Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster was superb early for the Storm after a week off with Covid-19, having a major role to play in the Storm’s first try.

Despite the Storm taking an early lead, it was the Green Machine that was firing on all cylinders in the first half, returning to the sheds at 14-6.

Canberra’s attack was humming on the back of the productivity of Sebastian Kris, Joseph Tapine and Elliott, while the kicking of Jamal Fogarty, Wighton and Zac Woolford was on song.

— with Lance Jenkinson, NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Ryan Papenhuyzen suffers broken knee cap in ‘devastating’ setback