Storm facing big call on Papenhuyzen ahead of NRL finals

It is sickening just writing about Ryan Papenhuyzen’s knee injury in late 2022 which halted his budding NRL career for the Melbourne Storm on 69 games.

The 25-year-old fullback had the rugby league world at his dazzling feet after winning the Clive Churchill Medal as man-of-the-match in Melbourne’s 2020 NRL Grand Final win.

But in round 18, 2022, at AAMI Park, his world came crashing down around him after attempting to tackle Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton.

He suffered a horrendous patella injury, shattering his knee cap in 10 places.

Putting his knee back together was like assembling a jigsaw puzzle.

His rehab and recovery have taken far longer than expected, with a foot injury complicating his efforts to return to the field.

He spent some time in the US earlier this year in the care of renowned rehab specialist Bill Knowles, hoping to make an NRL comeback before mid-season.

After 384 days, Papenhuyzen finally returned to the playing field earlier this month, running out for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Queensland’s Hotspur Cup competition on August 6.

He backed that up with an 80-minute effort for the Falcons on the weekend, suggesting an NRL comeback was imminent.

Papenhuyzen scored a try, had a couple of line breaks and clocked 125 running metres.

Now it is D-Day for Storm coach Craig Bellamy, who is faced with a selection conundrum two weeks out from the NRL finals.

Former champion Storm fullback Billy Slater believes if Papenhuyzen is to be part of Melbourne’s finals campaign, he needs to resume playing in the NRL this weekend against the Titans at AAMI Park.

“He needs to play this weekend – after that, it could be too late,” said Slater.

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Bellamy, along with the club’s doctors and team of physios, will consult with Papenhuyzen and evaluate all the evidence available before making any decision on his NRL return.

Bellamy is already on record as saying while he would love to have Papenhuyzen back, there is no great rush with his replacement, Nick Meaney, in career-best form.

“There’s no pressure to rush him back or have him back if he’s not quite ready, whether that be footy-wise or mentally,” said Bellamy recently.

Meaney has been outstanding in the No.1 jumper for Melbourne all season, scoring 10 tries and kicking 82 goals at almost 80 per cent while averaging almost 150 running metres a game.

While Meaney can play in a number of positions, Bellamy would be loth to change either of his two outside backs.

Will Warbrick scored a first-half hat-trick against the Dragons on the weekend, while Xavier Coates also crossed for a brilliant individual try in the win.

In all likelihood, if Bellamy gives Papnehuyzen the green light on Tuesday to make a comeback, it will be in the No.14 jumper off the bench.

Papenhuyzen at his best would be a huge in for Melbourne with the finals looming, but the vastly experienced Bellamy also understands it could take a few weeks for his star custodian to get up to speed with the game following such a long absence.

His speed, evasiveness, and try-scoring ability would no doubt be a big bonus, but the gamble for Bellamy is whether he can change a team that is now firing.

Since being touched up 26-6 by premiership favourites Penrith in round 23 earlier this month, Melbourne have rebounded with a 48-2 drubbing of Canberra and a 38-28 win over St George Illawarra.

They play the dangerous Titans this weekend but should win at home, setting up potentially one of the best clashes of the year when they face a white-hot Brisbane in the final round of the regular season.

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