Melbourne Storm boss makes call on Ryan Papenhuyzen position switch amid Sua Fa'alogo dilemma

Storm chief executive Justin Rodski says there's a growing belief that Ryan Papenhuyzen will extend his deal beyond 2025 as he laid out a plan to fit both the superstar fullback and young gun Sua Fa'alogo into the Melbourne side moving forward. Papenhuyzen has one year left on his deal and has been free to negotiate with rival clubs since November 1 for 2026 and beyond. But the 26-year-old has reportedly decided to extend his deal with Melbourne after knocking back advances from NRL rivals, in particular the Bulldogs, who were willing to offer him significantly more money. The 2020 Clive Churchill Medal winner always insisted money wouldn't be a deciding factor for his next contract and the Storm are confident he will sign a new one-year extension with the club, keeping him in Melbourne at least until the end of 2026. "It's in a positive position where we're getting more and more confident in Ryan extending with us. We're working through those details," Rodski said. "At the moment, there's a couple of different options on the table that we're discussing, but at this point in time we're getting more and more confident that he'll remain in Melbourne and extend his contract with us."

Ryan Papenhuyzen twist as Melbourne Storm rocked by Sua Fa'alogo and Eliesa Katoa blow

Ryan Papenhuyzen's return for the NRL finals couldn't have come at a better time for the Storm after they were rocked with the injury of Sua Fa'alogo on Thursday night, while Eliesa Katoa was placed on report and faces a potential two-game ban. The Storm thrashed the Broncos 50-12 on Thursday night in in their final regular season game of the year to leave Kevin Walters facing more scrutiny after a horror season. And while Craig Bellamy would have been thrilled at his team's rhythm heading into the NRL finals, the Storm were rocked with a number of major scares. Bellamy will be waiting on the fitness of utility and back-up fullback Fa'alogo after the youngster was seen leaving the field clutching at his hamstring. Fa'alogo admitted he felt a 'pop' during his 57-minute hit-out at Suncorp Stadium having run 207 metres in a staggering display. “As he walked past me Sua Fa’alogo was ina fair bit of discomfort,” Corey Parker said on Fox Sports commentary. “He won’t return tonight and he will be very unlikely to return in the next week or so given the fact he said he felt a bit of a tear in that left hamstring. Scans will determine how long, but a huge blow for the Storm given what we had seen from him this evening.” Many see Fa'alogo as the Storm's long-term fullback and his display in the absence of Papenhuyzen reassured Storm fans. Bellamy admitted the team was hoping Fa'alogo's injury was nothing serious with the coach confident the 21-year-old will feature off the bench in the finals. "He is a great runner of the footy and like lightning," Bellamy said. "The more games we can get him the more he is going to learn about the game and the better player he will be."

Storm lock in 'Walsh-like' rookie on monster deal

Melbourne has locked in one of the most promising young players in the NRL, with boom rookie Sua Fa'alogo signing a bumper five-year contract extension. The 20-year-old made his first grade debut for the Storm at the back-end of last season and impressed with a scintillating performance against the Broncos. Fa'alago would soon become a Samoan international, featuring in the Pacific Championships and placing himself firmly on the radar of rival clubs. But in a show of loyalty, the young fullback has opted to commit long-term with the Storm and expressed his gratitude towards the club. "It is really unbelievable for me to be playing next to guys like [Cameron] Munster, Paps [Ryan Papenhuyzen], Harry [Grant] and Hughesy [Jahrome Hughes]," Fa'alogo said. "I am a proud Melbourne boy and proud Samoan. "My family is here and I loved playing footy with Northern Thunder growing up. To have the chance to be part of the Storm is a dream come true. "I can't thank Craig (Bellamy) and the club enough for what they have done for me over the last couple of seasons and hope I can repay them on the field when my time comes." Fa'alogo is in the mix for a spot in the Storm line-up in the opening round of the season, but isn't expected to earn a starting spot given the presence of Ryan Papenhuyzen. However, on Wide World Of Sports' Freddy and The Eighth, rugby league greats Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler both urged Craig Bellamy to include him in a utility-style role in 2024, likening Fa'alago to other Storm superstars. "They always do that - they bring these young blokes in that play in all random positions," Fittler explained.