Due to his failure to confirm a Storm deal, the Melbourne fullback has generated a lot of attention.
The Canterbury Bulldogs are apparently showing a lot of interest in Ryan Papenhuyzen, a fullback who must make a significant decision on his future. After receiving a lower-than-expected offer from the Melbourne Storm, Papenhuyzen shocked NRL fans by choosing not to announce a new contract.
The 26-year-old’s new contract dropped from $950,000 to $750,000 each season, meaning he would have to take a reduced deal if he wanted to continue in Melbourne. With rumours that the fullback might fetch $1 million a season from the Dragons, Bulldogs, and Eels, Papenhuyzen is now free to haggle with other teams.
Brandon Smith, a former teammate and current Roosters No. 9 who said the Storm didn’t undervalue the fullback due to his injury history, was taken aback by this. Reporter Brent Read praised Smith’s candid assessment of the situation while speaking on Triple M Radio. Although the Bulldogs are clearly the front-runner, it was also confirmed that other teams are keen in signing the fullback.
According to Read, “Brandon Smith is saying what a lot of people are thinking,” on the Footy Talk podcast. “Because Melbourne has made him an offer that is less expensive. You would think that since he makes so much money in third parties down in Melbourne, they would accompany him on his travels.
“Papenhuyzen is being targeted by the Bulldogs, according to what I keep hearing. That has been going about a lot for a few weeks now, but I haven’t been able to solidify it yet.
“I believe Melbourne has made the right decision, but I still think they are certain they will keep him. Sua Fa’alogo is waiting while they juggle the salary cap down there. Fa’alogo might depart if Papenhuyzen stays, so I can see why they did it, but I would really like for him to stay.”
“Given what Papenhuyzen has been through, is $1 million for him a risk now?” Read wrote, adding that the fullback may look for more money if he offered to other clubs. I somewhat concur with Melbourne.
Ryan Papenhuyzen or Sua Fa’alogo for the Storm?
Many people believe that Fa’alogo, a young player from Melbourne, will be the Storm’s future number one. The 21-year-old has pleased everyone at the club despite playing infrequently for the Storm during Papenhuyzen’s injury.
According to reports, the young player has a contract with the team that allows him to depart provided Papenhuyzen stays on as the starting fullback. Fa’alogo agreed to a contract extension with the Storm through the end of 2028 earlier this year. However, according to reporter Michael Chammas, Papenhuyzen and the Storm have a verbal agreement that he can look for a deal elsewhere if they re-sign him.
“Matt Tripp, the Storm chairman, has a verbal undertaking with Sua Fa’alogo’s manager Liam Ayoub that if Ryan Papenhuyzen wants to extend his time, they will sit back down and look at his contract,” Chammas told Triple M radio in the past. “Now, that is not a clause in his contract; it’s not in writing, so it will come down to whether Melbourne keep their word, but there are clubs circling Sua Fa’alogo.”
The partner of Ryan Papenhuyzen relocates to Melbourne.
His life away from the field is one of the issues Papenhuyzen would be considering. Recently, Papenhuyzen made his connection with Emma MacDonald public. Additionally, if the 26-year-old moved to Sydney, his girlfriend MacDonald would experience yet another change.
In order to be nearer to the Storm player, Papenhuyzen recently relocated from Sydney to Melbourne. She and MacDonald began dating earlier this year. Near the close of the season, MacDonald went to a Storm game.
Earlier this year, the influencer announced to her fans, “I’m moving out of home for the first time ever,” “I’m starting a new chapter in my life with the purchase of a little flat in Melbourne. I’m actually moving because of my guy. I’m moving to be nearer to him, even though I’m living alone.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE
