The Melbourne Storm have tabled a contract extension to superstar fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen as they aim to go one better after losing to the Panthers in the 2024 NRL Grand Final.
At the moment, Papenhuyzen will run off-contract at the end of the 2025 NRL season and will become one of the competition's biggest free agents if he decides to enter the open market on November 1.
Battling with injuries over the last 24 months, he is still one of the game's elite fullbacks and was even linked with a potential move to the Parramatta Eels this season before they signed Isaiah Iongi.
Speaking toย The Daily Telegraph, Melbourne Storm owner Matt Tripp confirmed that the club have tabled him a three-year contract extension to keep him at the club as he runs off-contract at the end of the 2025 season.
Currently on around $950,000 a season, it is understood that the new deal will see him earn around the $3 million mark as they aim to go one better next year and continue their place as one of the competition's dominant teams over the next few seasons.
โIt is his right if he wants to test the open market. So be it, that is fine," Tripp said.
โBut I think he will acknowledge and realise that our offer, while it mightn't be able to match the other offers in terms of dollars, that consistency and continuity piece is going to be important to him.
โOff the field I am not sure there would be many guys out there with more third party deals as Paps. The whole world wants him to market their products.
โYou have to be careful what you wish for. We have had a lot of blokes leaving the club chasing bigger dollars and all of a sudden they are missing Origin and they are missing rep footy.
โAll of a sudden those dollars attributed to that add up.โ
However, the new deal to retain Papenhuzen may have long-term ramifications for the club involving boom rookie Sua Fa'alogo.
Theย Melbourne Stormย reportedly have a handshake agreement withย Sua Fa'alogo's management to explore his contract ifย Ryan Papenhuyzenย extends his time with the club.
"Matt Tripp, the Storm chairman, has a verbal undertaking withย Sua Fa'alogo's manager Liam Ayoub that ifย Ryan Papenhuyzen wants to extend his time, they will sit back down and look at his contract," journalist Michael Chammas said on Triple M's The Saturday Scrum.
"Now, that is not a clause in his contract; it's not in writing, so it will come down to whether Melbourne keep their word, but there are clubs circlingย Sua Fa'alogo."
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From the outside, Fa'alaogo and Papenhuyzen can be seen as rivals contending for the No.1 jumper, with the newly debuted rookie trying to overtake the veteran fullback, but the reality is far from this.
"Playing with him, it's an honour," Fa'alaogo toldย Zero Tackleย earlier this year.
"I'm always grateful to play besides Paps. He's a good leader for our team and I learn so much from him and try to learn from him.
"I always thank Paps for everything he's done for me. When he was injured he always messaged me before I went into a game (and) gives me that confidence to go out there and play."
