Ryan Papenhuyzen has given the strongest indication yet that he wants to stay at the Storm, with the superstar fullback declaring “I don’t want to go anywhere” despite being linked with a move to Parramatta if he can’t get a deal sorted with Melbourne.
The 2020 Clive Churchill Medal winner still has another season to run on his contract but officially becomes a free agent on November 1 if he and his management aren’t able to sort something out.
“It’s a weird feeling because I’ve never really been off contract,” he said after Thursday’s win over the Rabbitohs where he wound back the clock with a scorching run that brought back memories of the 2020 decider.
“We’re getting close to it (November 1) and you hear that other clubs are interested, but I really love Melbourne and love what we’ve built here.
“I don’t want to go anywhere, that’s for sure, but week to week it’s getting closer to November 1.
“What I’ve done is what I’ve done. I know my value now and I’ve got to stick with that a little more rather than come out here and try putting on a performance.”
There was a report during summer that the Storm were trying to shop Papenhuyzen to other clubs, but officials shot that down immediately and said how committed they were to keeping a man who was touted as the game’s next elite fullback before a series of devastating injuries slowed him down.
The 26-year-old has only played 44 matches in the four seasons since he carved up on grand final night, which is why he can understand why the Storm want to see him put together a few consistent games before they offer him a big contract.
“That’s normal. It’s a business. If I was the head of a business then I’d want the same,” he said, with his agent Clinton Schifcofske reportedly meeting with club bosses this week.
“I’ve done a lot of work on my mental side of the game and I’ve done a lot of work on the technical side of the game, and now it’s about physically getting those reps in. I think I’ll be a better player for it, but at the same time I can see why they’re waiting.
“It’s a hard one because I probably haven’t been able to fully think about it. You want the club to offer something, but the longer it goes, you’re like ‘sh-t, do they want me?’
“The conversations I had with the owners, they all want me to be at the club. I’m pretty sure my manager met up with one of the owners this week, so I’m sure he’ll message me after the game saying how that went.
“As I know now, it’s all up in the air until something gets offered when we’ll know more.”
The longer it goes, the louder the whispers will be that Papenhuyzen could follow former Storm assistant Jason Ryles to the Eels, with the rookie coach desperate to land a big fish.
Papenhuyzen played all his junior footy in Sydney and has a young nephew here as well, but that won’t influence his decision given how much he loves Melbourne and that it’s only a short flight to see his family.
“I love Rylesy and I think he’ll do great things with Parramatta, but there are things beyond that,” he said, keen to build on his combo with fellow spine members Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant.
“I’ve worked really hard to put myself in this position. I’ve worked with Munster, Hughesy and Harry and I don’t want to let that work go to waste. I feel like we’re building something special, and I hope the club sees that.
“The goal is premierships and I think we’re building something really well here. I don’t want to let that get in the way of anything. I really like Melbourne and the way they treat me, and I really like our fan base, so I’m in a really fortunate position.
“Sometimes you look into those things a little too deeply. As long as you’re happy in one place and happy with the guys that you’re working with, why would you (leave)?”
If he does stay then young gun Sua Fa’alogo could look for an opportunity elsewhere despite recently signing a long-term extension, with Papenhuyzen declaring the speedster would be in the 17 at any other club.
But it’s hard for him to get a look in for the ladder leaders, with Papenhuyzen slowly getting back to his best. In a moment of magic against Souths, he returned a kick 45m and linked up with Grant Anderson to score.
“It’s probably the first time I’ve been in open space with the footy,” he said, desperate to make up for an intercept pass he threw in the first half.
“It felt good, but there were things at the start of the game that I wasn’t really happy with that put us under a bit of pressure.
“I feel like I’m trying too hard at the moment, that’s the theme of it. I probably need to take a step back and focus on fewer things and simplify my role a bit more.
“We’ve got so many threats across the park, so I put a bit of pressure on myself when I do get the ball to do something. I guess that’s something you learn and you’ve got to get on with it.
“It’s a good problem to have, but I’ve got to refine my role a bit now and simplify it.”
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