Ryan Papenhuyzen produced one of his career-best games in the Storm's opening round demolition of the Parramatta Eels as Zac Lomax's off-season move sparked more questions. The Storm showed NRL fans why they are considered premiership favourites having hammered the Eels 56-18 in an electric display at AAMI Park. The Storm ran in eight first-half tries with Cameron Munster and Papenhuyzen linking-up to carve apart the Eels in Jason Ryles' first game in charge of Parramatta. And while there were plenty of highlights for the Storm, Papenhuyzen's performance grabbed the attention. After finding his feet last year, off the back of two major injuries, Papenhuyzen put in one of his career-best displays showing the trademark speed that made him one of the best fullbacks in the game. Despite heading into the game under an injury cloud, after withdrawing from the final trial game due to a knee issue, Papenhuyzen scored two tries as he sliced through the Parramatta defence time and time again. The fullback ran for 136 metres and made three linebreaks, on top of his two tries, as the Eels were unable to lay a finger on him in the first-half. Papenhuyzen's performance should also end speculation around whether Sua Fa'alogo should come into the staring side. Papenhuyzen only signed a one-year extension with the Storm for the 2026 season with calls growing for Fa'alogo to take the fullback jersey under coach Craig Bellamy. However, Papenhuyzen did everything possible to quell calls for the 21-year-old to replace him with Bellamy's decision to stick with his No.1 fullback vindicated. Papenhuyzen continues to battle little injury setbacks and Fa'alogo could feature at fullback throughout the season. But the 26-year-old showed he is ready for a career-best season if he stays fit for the Storm. While Papenhuyzen is happy in Melbourne, Lomax could be questioning his move to the Eels after a dismal start wearing yellow and blue.
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