Storm lock down Ryan Papenhuyzen until 2025

Star Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen will remain at the Storm until the end of the 2025 season after a signing a three-year contract extension.

Just days after Melbourne locked in supercoach Craig Bellamy, the reigning premiers made good on their promise to swiftly re-sign Papenhuyzen, who was off contract at the end of the year.

The 2020 Clive Churchill medallist was keen to stay in Melbourne and after seamlessly stepping into the boots left by fullback Billy Slater, Papenhuyzen will now form a key part of the Storm’s spine for the next three years.

The 23-year-old will play his 50th NRL game this weekend.

“It’s awesome to have these three extra years locked in,” he said.

“This club gave me my opportunity to play NRL and I just feel like I owe them to sign on here for a few more years. Hopefully it’s going to be a successful four years to come.

Ryan Papenhuyzen will be at the Storm until the end of 2025.Credit:Getty

“I’m excited and pumped because I love everything about this club, the people involved, the fans, the members and the playing group. This is the group I want to be playing with.”

Bellamy’s decision to extend his contract was a key factor in staying, Papenhuyzen said.

“Having Craig re-sign made this decision a lot easier,” he said.

“We were really pleased when that happened earlier in the week.”

Storm General Manager Football Frank Ponissi said the club were not willing to let Papenhuyzen go.

“We love what Paps brings to our club both on the field where he has become one of the best players in the game and off the field where is a tremendous ambassador for Storm and rugby league in general,” Ponissi said.

“He is a very important part of our future and I’m sure our members and fans will share in our excitement about what’s to come from Paps in the coming years.

“While everyone sees how well he performs on the field each week, what they don’t see is how much work he puts into all facets of his game.

“He’s an example of a hard and diligent worker who is making the most of his talent.”

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Christian Nicolussi covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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