Ryan Papenhuyzen has delivered a simple but powerful message after suffering a fractured right ankle in Friday’s 26-0 qualifying final loss to Brisbane, posting on social media to tell fans: ‘We go again. Love ya’.
Papi posted from hospital several hours after the incident, which occurred in just his fourth game back following a similarly horrific injury, a broken patella, that kept him out of the game for over a year.
The Storm announced that he had undergone surgery on the ankle on Saturday morning, with GM of Football Frank Ponissi suggesting that he could be back in the new year.
“We’re obviously devastated for Ryan suffering another setback after spending a significant time away from the game after injuring his knee last year,” he said.
“He’s worked extremely hard to get back to the NRL over that time and left no stone unturned in his recovery.
Ryan Papenhuyzen. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“We know that he is the ultimate professional on and off the field and this is just another challenge that he will take on with both hands.
“His surgery went well this morning and, at this stage, we expect him to be back training in the new year but for now we’re focused on ensuring he is getting the right care.”
Other players have rallied around the fullback, with Broncos counterpart Reece Walsh posting a photo of Papenhuyzen with the caption “man footy sucks sometimes, sending my love mate”.
Teammate Cameron Munster told Nine: “I feel sorry for him. I probably saw the ankle out of the socket. It is sad news for him and the club … it is a bad injury run for him but hopefully he’ll come back and we will see the Pappy that we know. We are fully behind him and I will make sure he is right tonight.”
Ryan Papenhuyzen after suffering his ankle injury against Brisbane. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
It was immediately obvious to viewers that his injury was a bad one. With just seven minutes remaining at Suncorp Stadium, he keeled over after a tackle on Brisbane prop Tom Flegler.
It appeared teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona caused the damage when he slid low to bring down Flegler but his giant torso swung around and took out Papenhuyzen.
He was diagnosed with a compound fracture of his right ankle and will again go through a lengthy rehabilitation period before restarting his career again next year.
“He already suffered a significant knee injury. Terrible scenes for Ryan Papenhuyzen and the Melbourne Storm. Craig Bellamy, you see how distraught he was in the coach’s box. It was just awful,” former teammate Cameron Smith said on Nine.
Melbourne look shellshocked during their qualifying final loss to Brisbane. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The 2020 Clive Churchill Medal winner was in his third NRL game back from more than a year out with a badly fractured kneecap.
“He was in a whole heap of pain … it’s not great. I couldn’t imagine how he’s feeling at the moment. The amount of work he’s put in to get back into playing again and to get back in the NRL team. It wasn’t a great night anyway and it just made it a lot worse,” Bellamy said.
“It was a disappointing result but seeing what happened to Paps is a real downer for us.”
The veteran coach looked visibly rattled by the Papenhuyzen incident in his post-match media conference.
After returning in the Queensland Cup with the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Papenhuyzen came off the bench in his comeback to the NRL and then got through the full 80 minutes in the final round of the season before he was again used from the interchange in the qualifying final.
Play was held up for more than 10 minutes as Melbourne medicos treated his injury and Papenhuyzen was in tears while making use of the dreaded green whistle as he was given a rousing applause from the Suncorp Stadium crowd when he was taken from the field in the medicab.
The Storm were trailing 20-0 at the time and Brisbane went on to complete their dominance with a try to Selwyn Cobbo soon afterwards as they advance to a preliminary final at the same venue in week three of the playoffs.
Melbourne will play the winner of Saturday night’s Sharks vs Roosters elimination final next weekend at AAMI Park.
Coach Craig Bellamy already had three players taken from the field in a horror five-minute stretch.
Maroons winger Xavier Coates limped off with a suspected serious ankle injury plus Trent Loeiro and Marion Seve will need to pass the concussion protocols after a sickening head clash.
Bellamy said Justin Olam and Reimis Smith were the leading contenders to come in for Papenhuyzen and Coates.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
But coming from a club that rates Josh Schuster worth at $800K a season, you'll forgive me if I take that assessment with a grain of salt.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
We don't count the years when the Storm were over the salary cap, which basically cuts that tally in half.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
And so ended a promising basketball and NRL career. :laughing:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I totally agree. The Storm were disrupted and lost their rhythm trying to fit Papenhuyzen in IMO. It was a gamble that worked against the team and against Papy. Sadly, it reeked of desperation from Bellamy which is very unlike him.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Then there was Cooper Cronk and Sam Burgess in the 2019 and 2014 GFs. But that was only for one game, so they didn't have to gamble on being able to back up for another sudden death decider.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Papenhuyzen is a gun player when fully fit and not hampered by injury. No disrespect to Papenhuyzen, but I think the Storm will do better going back to their original lineup without worrying about the chopping and changing to accommodate little Papy. Ever since he came back the Storm's rhythm was not the same with all the chopping and changing IMO. That said, none of the remaining teams will come close to the Broncos or Panthers this year. The Knights are on a roll, but I think the defence of the two top teams will frustrate the Knights, assuming they account for the Raiders today.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
I think that is a pretty fair assessment, Albo. I think that Meaney has been good & consistent until Friday & I put that down to uncertainty caused by all the noise about Paps returning &, maybe taking his place. Seve has been, suprisingly, good & Grant hasn't been bad, but a bit patchy. I also believe the Bellamy having favourites has a destabilising effect on the team. He has a habit of changing a, winning, combination to include one of his faves; often for a bad result. Something isn't right, at the Club, if our players can't be motivated to put in their best in every game. It's been a less than ideal season, in my eyes.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
It was a freak accident that had nothing to do with Bellamy. However, even if Papa had finished the game without a scratch, it was still a poor decision to put him in the thick of the action.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Did you really say any of that…?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Munster has been quite ordinary since Origin. Last night he seemed to be restricted to trying trick shots rather than using his usual power running and passing. I also think that Grant has had an ordinary year by his standards. And Hughes is still not 100% with that knee issue. Right now I think only Josh King can stand tall with his consistent performances each match. Next week's elimination bout against the Roosters now, will be the battle of the crocks . Anyone could win the honour of facing the Panthers in the Prelim Final after that.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
All my love to Paps; everyone in RL stands with him.
Adam
Roar Guru
Yeah can't forget the gash that Corey oates got on his leg a few years back where they thought it was a compound fracture initially, then it only missed the femoral artery by half a cm. If it had hit that he would have potentially died on the field
Adam
Roar Guru
I don't think props have been props in the NRL for at least 2 decades
Cam
Roar Rookie
You won't find any instance of an NRL coach playing their $1.1m fullback as a middle rotation. It was a dumb call that backfired badly, but old dogs can learn new tricks and I beat you that while Bellamy's arse points to the ground, he will never use Papenhuyzen in the middle again.
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
Dead right Josh. Could have been on the wing and bust his ankle badly by a freak accident, just like Coates... There are some unusual human beings that frequent this site. Revolting comments.
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
Thank you TB. There are some people here, and some so called Storm fans amongst them, that should be ashamed of themselves for blaming a freak, tragic injury on Craig Bellamy here. I am disgusted by them and heartbroken for this young lad... Got to find a scapegoat these days... horrible direction that society has headed towards...
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Well the Bulldogs thought he was worth buying. I’m not a fan of his. Yet can’t say that he’s not played his part for the last couple of seasons. I’d argue that a few clubs look surprisingly similar from one season to another. Except for some players that they wish to get rid of , or until a top player is finished as far as the club is concerned. Those clubs also feature in the finals most seasons. Then can also add good players to their squads. So it goes , if you’re lucky enough to have right club backers .
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Grant had a Barry, I've never seen him play as badly, so out of character.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Ha ha ....... Salmon - surprised anyone wants him. All clubs get picked away at...its not a Penrith thing
Sportstragic
Roar Rookie
Papenhuyzen was playing in the middle. He wasn't playing as a middle forward. Big difference there. His injury was a freak accident