Exciting Melbourne Storm youngster Ryan Papenhuyzen could be on the way back to the side he left at the end of 2017 as Wests Tigers reportedly prepare a major offer.
The 21-year-old has been in scintillating form since being given a run in the first team under Craig Bellamy this season, scoring five tries and averaging 242 running metres per game, over 50 running metres more than any other player, in his six senior starts.
Chasing behind is Wally Lewis Medallist and Roosters superstar James Tedesco, who was among those keeping Papenhuyzen from the first team when he took the No. 1 fullback position while the current first-choice Storm runner was in their Under 20s.
Papenhuyzen remains on a deal worth less than $150,000 a year but this would be expected to change quickly if he takes this current game-breaking form through to season's end and contributes to success, as the Storm will have a fight on their hands to retain his services.
The Tigers, meanwhile, will focus solely on their own offer after another ninth-place finish (reminiscent of an old gag involving another Tigers outfit) with no finals action to focus on, and could potentially be looking at offering more than three times the salary that he would be on should he stick around at AAMI Park next season.
Papenhuyzen comes out of contract with the Storm at the end of 2021.
He should get a huge deal and lots of clubs after him. I reckon the Rabbits should let Johnson leave and sign him on a big deal.
Joining Tigers would be like giving away driving a Ferrari, and starting to drive a 80’s Corolla. I hope Papenhuyzen is NOT an idiot to fall for this cheap tactics of lower grade clubs like Tigers and Titans offering huge money but ultimately destroying the Careers of emerging good players.
Hope the lad has sense and considers who gave him his chance and who told him he wasn’t good enough. Hopefully a finals campaign and maybe even a premiership ring might focus his mind in the right direction.
Come home Ryan as we are building nicely and whilst not there yet, you will make Fullback you own and having learnt from a better system bring back lots of positives.
Madge will continue to develop you to surpass Teddy in a few seasons.
Loving watching him at the Storm. Hope that continues. It’s a shame we live in a time where teams basically trade young prospects and then the moment one gets blooded and turns out to be good, clubs with money are sniffing around.
Fake news.
His deal ends in 2021, so they can’t even talk to him until November 2020.