Melbourne Storm captain Christian Welch has provided an injury update on star teammate Ryan Papenhuyzen, who is recovering from a series of injuries.
After being sidelined for more than a year due to a broken kneecap in 2022, Papenhuyzen returned to the NRL just before last year’s finals, but his return was brief.
Instead of being fully fit and the much-needed X-factor for the Storm in the finals, he sustained an ankle injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season, allowing the club to lose to the Penrith Panthers in the preliminary final.
As the new season begins, Christian Welch has revealed that the fullback plans to return in Round 1.
Papenhuyzen has already returned to training and appeared in good shape during the preseason, according to NCA News
wire and several social media photos posted by the club.
“It’s been a tough couple of years for him and I can really empathise with those long-term injuries because I’ve had a few myself,” Welch told the news outlet.
“He’s had a really positive attitude.
“I believe that one of the most difficult aspects of having those injuries is feeling isolated at times.
“The team plays for 27 weeks, and if you’re not a part of it, it’s easy to feel left out, but he’s made it a priority to stay involved and help the boys in any way he can.
“When he wasn’t on the field, he was preparing video and strategy for the team to try to help, which was extremely beneficial to us. He is a deep thinker and a reflective person, and these qualities have served him well when times have been difficult.
“We’re starting to see him emerge from those tough times and he’s now starting to flourish.”
If Papenhuyzen is unavailable for the club’s season opener, Sua Fa’alogo and Nick Meaney are the two most obvious candidates to compete for the number one jersey.
Fa’alogo is more likely, as Nick Meaney will move to the centres following Justin Olam’s departure, allowing him and Papenhuyzen to be on the field at the same time.
However, when Papenhuyzen returns, Craig Bellamy is likely to move him to the interchange bench rather than out of the squad.
“It’s exciting to have some of these weapons,” Welch explained.
“Craig gets paid well, so he’s got some tough decisions to make about how this is all going to work because I’m not sure how you fit them all in, but you’ve got to have these guys playing every week in the NRL in terms of Sua, Paps, and Nick Meaney.
“I’m not sure how they’ll manage the backline and the bench, but having those weapons at your disposal is very exciting.
“Sua has had a fantastic preseason and appears to be as quick as ever, so there will be stiff competition for those outside back positions.
“We’ve got Xavier Coates and Will Warbrick, who both had excellent seasons.
“Will played for New Zealand A, and Xavier took out our player of the year award so it’s not just the fullbacks fighting for spots, there’s a really competitive nature for all the spots in the outside backs.”
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