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Bennett’s cheeky remark to new recruit | 01:26
Storm weapon Ryan Papenhuyzen has declared he will remain at the club for as long as Melbourne’s star-studded nucleus remain together to win a premiership after falling at the final hurdle in 2024.
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The 26-year-old tested the open market following the November 1 contract deadline last year, with the Bulldogs, Dragons and Eels sniffing around to recruit the dangerous fullback.
The Storm, however, remained in the hunt to retain a key member of their spine and Papenhuyzen ultimately signed a one-year extension for the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027.
Melbourne finished the regular 2024 season as minor premiers, but went on to lose to the Panthers in the grand final, with Ivan Cleary’s juggernaut securing a fourth-straight title.
For Papenhuyzen, who has already had a taste of silverware with the Storm in 2020, another premiership was the motivation behind his decision to put pen to paper on a new deal.
“I think a lot of it was based off that feeling that there’s still a job to do, there’s a lot of unfinished business with this squad,” Papenhuyzen told foxsports.com.au.
“We’ve sort of worked really hard the last few years and especially last year, we put a lot of hard work in and I still feel like we have a lot to give in this squad.
“I want to be a part of this team and a part of this squad. The contract was running out which wasn’t ideal, but I still feel like I’ve got a lot to offer, and we’ve got a lot to offer as a team.
“So the longer we can stick together and battle that out, the more we’re going to learn and grow together. You’re never guaranteed success but we’re going to give ourselves the best shot.”
As for his move to test the open market, Papenhuyzen explained he had to question the reasons why he played rugby league in the first place before he snubbed rival’s offers to re-sign.
“I just want to win premierships, and there was that feeling that we’d done so much work as a group, and there’s so much confidence in this group,” he said.
“I want to be in Melbourne and I want to play for the Storm. At the end of the day that was it, I had to sit back and reflect on what I really wanted to do.
“After experiencing a premiership in 2020, you just want to chase that feeling again and do it with the group you’ve worked so hard with.
“Yeah, you could go and win premierships at other clubs. But you’ve put in all those tough years, it’s seven or eight years I’ve been down here in Melbourne.”
Alongside Papenhuyzen, Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes is contracted until the end of 2026, while Cameron Munster is signed until the end of 2027.
Captain Harry Grant, meanwhile, activated an option in his favour for 2026, with Storm chairman Matt Tripp publicly stating he wants the hooker to finish his career in Melbourne.
Storm powerbrokers have a host of big contract decisions to make in coming seasons, with Hughes and Munster both reaching 30 years of age and likely looking to sign their last long-term deals.
So when asked if he wants to remain in Melbourne past his current deal, Papenhuyzen explained his teammates could influence that decision.
“If a lot of the group stays around, definitely,” Papenhuyzen said.
“It’s a big driver for me, we have a good group that believes in growth. If we can keep that group together, we all want to chase the same goals, then why not.”
Papenhuyzen’s decision to sign a one-year contract was also guided by two factors – his horror run of injuries and the pay-cut offered by Storm bosses in the first three-year contract tabled.
The gun fullback told reporters last year that deal was a “hit to the ego”, admitting he was a “little disheartened” by the proposed salary.
Meanwhile, Papenhuyzen only played 30 games across three years, with 20 of those coming in 2024 after battling a hamstring injury, a broken kneecap and a broken ankle since 2022.
So with a full pre-season under his belt, Papenhuyzen is backing himself to play “dominant” football and in turn earn himself a hefty salary when his next contract negotiations roll around.
“It’s nice to feel fit for once, but once you’ve had a few injuries you think there might be another one around the corner so you don’t get too far ahead of yourself,” Papenhuyzen said.
“It was nice to get a few games together, but you look at the whole year and I played with niggles throughout so it wasn’t full free flowing.
“But there’s a lot of other guys who play NRL with injuries each week, so it was nice but I want to put together a successful year and be playing dominant footy again.”
