Billy Slater recounts the cafe conversation that fired up Ryan Papenhuyzen

Melbourne star Ryan Papenhuyzen has taken his game to another level and it all began over a coffee with Billy Slater.  

Ryan Papenhuyzen has gone to another level under Billy Slater’s guidance

The Cheeky Monkey cafe in Richmond, by its own description, offers a laid-back and casual dining experience. If Ryan Papenhuyzen’s form this season is any indication, it may also be remembered as the place where the seeds were planted for the Melbourne Storm fullback to become one of the NRL’s truly elite players.

For it was here, in modest surrounds not far from the Storm’s home base at AAMI Park, that Papenhuyzen sat down for a meeting of minds with former Storm star Billy Slater in the pre-season.

The cafe is a regular haunt for Storm players and staff and when Papenhuyzen was searching for advice on how to not only match his standards of 2019, but elevate his game, he asked to meet Slater at the Cheeky Monkey and pick the brain of the greatest fullback in the game’s history.

Slater duly obliged and Papenhuyzen has been flying ever since, his form so good he is certain to be included in NSW’s 27-man squad for the upcoming State of Origin series.

“He is a really good young man,” Slater said. “Honestly, he has so much respect. It is a pleasure to work with someone like that and you want to see them do well.

“They work so hard to be the best they can be. I know Craig Bellamy is really big on not allowing the second-year syndrome to raise its head.

“I caught up with Ryan after he burst on the scene with a dozen games last year. The first thing he said to me was how do I get better.
“Straight away I thought this lad isn’t going to have any problems with second-year syndrome. Last year he was an out-and-out tryscorer.

“We focused on how we could create some opportunities for other people around us. He has kept his try-scoring average and blown his try assist average out of the water — he has 15 try assists this year.

“He is very proactive about his footy. He is responsible for his improvement. I have so much time for guys who get off their backside and want to make it happen.

“There is no doubt he has talent and speed. It is his drive that is making him successful.”

Slater remains part of the Storm coaching staff and he maintains regular contact with Papenhuyzen, although he is careful not to overload him with information.

“I am conscious of not giving him too much information and talking to him too much,” Slater said.

“Where he is at right now, less is more for him. Now that he has his game at a really good level, it is more chatting about the opposition and opposition kickers.”

Such kickers don’t come much better than Penrith half Nathan Cleary.

“Big challenge this week,” Slater said. “They scored a nice little try off a Nathan Cleary kick when Viliame Kikau caught the ball in no man’s land back at Campbelltown Stadium.”

Kikau is back from suspension this week and the Storm will be wary of that play. Certainly if Slater has his way. He has worked closely with the Storm in retirement, in particular attack coach Marc Brentnall.

If Slater sees a weakness in the opposition, he raises it with Brentnall. If he thinks a particular play will work against an opposing defence, he will flag it.

“A big part of where I got to as a player was creating plays and trying to do things different,” Slater said.
“Scrums are a big one — getting the advantage off scrums where a lot of teams don’t think about that, they think about it as a start to their set.

“I see it as a huge opportunity, if not to make a line break or create something, you’re creating a quick play-the-ball and some momentum.

“Little things like that is what I bring to the table.”

Few are better placed to talk about the difference in the Storm this season. Entering last year’s finals series there was a sense that they didn’t have the extra gear needed to topple the Sydney Roosters. The signs this year have been more promising, highlighted by their attacking masterclass in the opening minutes of last week’s win over Canberra.

“That’s what we identified that at the end of our year last year that we were a little bit flat towards the end of the year,” Slater said.
“We had to focus a bit more on our physical and mental energy level towards the finals. The whole extra gear — I am a big believer that you don’t need an extra gear, you just need to play your best football at the right time.

“That is what the club has focused on this year. I know the Roosters have done it over the past few years and it has worked for them.

“The Storm couldn’t be in any better shape going into this finals series.”