The rise and rise of Ryan Papenhuyzen: how far can the Storm’s little fullback go?

The rise and rise of Papenhuyzen is well underway in the NRL — the question now is, how far can Melbourne Storm’s speedy little fullback go in his potentially glittering rugby league career?

The 2020 NRL grand final has come and gone, with Ryan Papenhuyzen and the Storm holding off a late-breaking Penrith to claim the chocolates in a 26–20 thriller at ANZ Stadium on Sunday evening.

You’d be forgiven for tipping Cameron Smith as best-on-park — SportsBet were so confident they paid out the $4.20 bet for Melbourne’s captain to be named the Clive Churchill medalist at half-time — but there was another dynamo pulling the string for the purple and white: Papenhuyzen.

Papenhuyzen, 22, has been the sensation of the 2020 season, playing at the back for Melbourne.

He capped it on Oct. 25, on one of the biggest stages our game has to offer: the little Kellyville star was named the best player of the 2020 decider, ahead of Storm heavy-hitters like Nelson Asofa-Solomona, rugby-bound Suliasi Vunivalu, and GOAT-in-the-making Cameron Smith.

Papenhuyzen even admits he “can’t really” believe where his careers taken him this year: “I’ll probably have a bit of time to reflect on it all in the offseason. I know it’s special, these moments don’t come around often, but right now it’s all just adrenaline.”

He continued, “Everything happens for a reason I think [referencing his hamstring injury two years ago].

“It’s a motto that I sort of run by, if I didn’t come to Melbourne I probably don’t fix my hammy… I don’t get guided by Billy [Slater], so I feel like I’m just lucky that I get to take the field with all these guys.”

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Last year, Papenhuyzen gave NRL fans a taste of his explosive talent in Round 9. The then-20-year-old cut the Eels to shreds at Suncorp Stadium after coming on as a replacement in the 49th minute.

He scored a try, had two try assists, two line-break assists, and broke the line himself three times. The speedster covered 137 meters in his 31-minute cameo, and guided Melbourne to a late-on 64–10 win at Suncorp Stadium.

After Melbourne’s heart-pounding six-point win on Sunday, and the 22-year-old’s heavy hand in the battle, there can be no doubt the NRL has found itself yet another breakout star.

The question now is: where can Ryan Papenhuyzen go next?

• Read: Harry Grant confirms he won’t be at Tigers for 2021 season

The easy answer is straight into “the rivalry without rival.” New South Wales face Queensland next week in a slightly different State of Origin series, and Ryan has been named in Freddy Fittler’s 27-man squad.

Papenhuyzen will link up with the rest of the Blues squad on Wednesday, and begin muscling in for a potential run in the number one jersey. Tedesco is on his way back from a knee injury, and could miss Game 1 next week.

It’s a perfect chance for the Storm bolter to stake his claim for the NSW fullback jumper.

• Read: Do the Eels have their very own ‘Curse of the Bambino’?

Origin begins on Oct. 4, and it’s the perfect time for Papenhuyzen to be hitting top gear. Dominating in a grand final is one thing. Origin is another beast again; one the entire rugby league world will be watching.

If the Blues bolter can get a sniff, he can show the world — again — what he can do.

Then, beyond this year, it’s southern purple for two years more, at least. Papenhuyzen inked a deal with Melbourne that will take him out to 2022. The defending premiers will have a core along with him.

Cameron Munster (2023), Brandon “Cheese” Smith (2022), Asofa-Solomona (2023), and even Harry Grant (2022) — if he sticks around — are the Storm’s future. Spice in Papenhuyzen too? That’s a lethal spine, especially if Craig Bellamy truly is seeing out his time down south.

There’s already been rumblings too that Papenhuyzen’s manager is chasing a bigger contract.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Melbourne’s speedster wants to be the “million-dollar poster boy” for the NRL.

The push by Ryan’s manager, Clinton Schifcofske, comes after ARL chairman Peter V’landys admitted he “certainly has the potential to become one of the real faces of rugby league, absolutely.”

The Kellyville youngster certainly earned a bit of an upgrade, but whether the Storm will be willing to open their coffers is another story entirely.

Right now though, Ryan Papenhuyzen won’t be worrying about all that. He’ll be somewhere, maybe still wearing those gaudy goggles, enjoying the moment… there’ll be “time to reflect” soon enough. The 22-year-old still has a long way to rise in his NRL career.

For now, he’s got his first ring. After Origin, the bubble will be burst. It’s party time.

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