Ryan Papenhuyzen, the Storm star, has expressed ‘overwhelming optimism’ in his upcoming return to football.
The speedster said that he is on pace to play in a trial match for Melbourne.
That means he might be in action as early as February 15, when the Storm face the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL’s pre-season challenge.
“I think I might be playing a trial game,” Papenhuyzen told 9News.
“I believe I was overcome with emotion and disappointment, thinking, ‘Not again, who have I let down?'” I don’t think seeing my foot that way helped.
“It’s certainly not natural, but I have this overwhelming belief that I can (return to my best).
“I don’t know if that’s because of all the mental work I’ve done while I’ve been out, but I don’t see why not.”
As part of his recuperation, he recently returned to the United States for another session with reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles.
He spent time with Knowles in Philadelphia in 2023 as part of his recovery from a shattered kneecap, and he chose to fund the newest trip himself as he works towards a Round 1 return.
“Storm has been paying me for 12 months, but I haven’t played… “I thought I’d use some of the money to fix myself up,” he explained.
“Coming back from my knee with Bill and the level of confidence and reassurance he gave me… I just want that clarity to keep moving the same way.
“There is, without a doubt, luck in every aspect of life – but I believe that the more you work, the more likely that luck will find you… I’m due.
Ryan Papenhuyzen Injury: What happened to the Melbourne Storm fullback?
In the closing minutes of Melbourne’s qualifying final loss to Brisbane, Papenhuyzen tried a tackle on Tom Flegler near to the line but ended up in a heap on the turf.
Teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona was also engaged in the clash and fell awkwardly on the 25-year-old’s leg, leaving him screaming in agony as play was soon brought to a halt.
“I’m not built for making tackles, and this scenario showed it – I dislocated my ankle, broke my fibula, ruptured my deltoid, and ruptured my syndesmosis,” Papenhuyzen revealed on The Clubhouse podcast, which also featured Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster.
Papenhuyzen was initially suspected as having a complex ankle fracture.
However, he clarified that the medical personnel who attended to him had initially been misled by stray blood on his sock.
“[The bone] actually stayed in the skin,” Papenhuyzen explained.
“But (the medics) were saying they were a little anxious because there was blood on my sock – I suppose it may have been from a prior tackle.
