NRL Market Watch: Melbourne Storm and Ryan Papenhuyzen hold contract talks ahead of the November 1 deadline
Storm will hold crunch talks with Ryan Papenhuyzen in the next 48 hours in a bid to lock in the superstar fullback before rivals begin fielding big money offers to lure him away from Melbourne.
Melbourne will hold crunch contract talks with Ryan Papenhuyzen in the next 48 hours in a bid to secure the superstar fullback before he hits the open market on Friday.
Papenhuyzen has a long-term extension on the table but is set for a decisive meeting with club co-owner and chairman Matt Tripp, who will return from overseas today.
At the top of Tripp’s agenda is Papenhuyzen, who has been linked to several Sydney clubs, including Parramatta and Canterbury.
The Storm are hopeful Papenhuyzen will agree to remain beyond 2025 in Melbourne, where he is part of a formidable spine combination alongside Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes.
It’s believed the sticking point in contract talks has been Papenhuyzen’s value. The 26-year-old is set to earn around $900,000 in 2025, the final year of his deal with the Storm, and top $1million with endorsement and sponsorship deals.
But it’s understood Papenhuyzen is seeking an upgrade on his deal at the Storm.
If Papenhuyzen and Melbourne can’t agree to terms before Friday, the fullback will be a hot commodity on the open market, fetching offers around $1m per season.
Papenhuyzen is an irresistible option to Sydney clubs desperate to add a player of his calibre to their top-30 rosters.
Canterbury has been rebuilding its roster under coach Cameron Ciraldo and have been actively looking to inject class into the top 30, luring Stephen Crichton from Penrith and Sitili Tupouniua from the Sydney Roosters.
Parramatta’s contract saga with Clint Gutherson could leave the Eels in search of an elite fullback, and with the money to pursue Papenhuyzen if the Eels skipper defects to St George Illawarra.
Papenhuyzen has, however, had a history of injury and has been limited to 50 games in the last four seasons due to concussion and hamstring issues, and more recently a broken kneecap and ankle.
Papenhuyzen’s decision could also have an impact on the future of boom fullback Sua Fa’alogo at the club.
Fa’alogo is signed until the end of 2028 but is seen as a fullback and could find himself stuck behind Papenhuyzen if he agrees to stay in Melbourne.
The livewire has impressed when called on but is not in Craig Bellamy’s best 17 with Will Warbrick and Xavier Coates having the wing spots locked down while Tyran Wishart preferred as the bench utility.
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