LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Storm coach Craig Bellamy has indicated that Nick Meaney is set to take over as the primary goalkicker from Ryan Papenhuyzen in the upcoming match.
This decision comes after Papenhuyzen's unusual struggles with goal kicking during a recent game against the Eels, where he missed three of his four attempts, including an easy conversion that struck both uprights.
Papenhuyzen was returning from a four-match absence due to a calf injury and also faltered on two penalty goal attempts that could have helped secure a tighter victory in the game, ultimately won 16-10.
Meaney stepped in late in the match and successfully converted a challenging kick from the sideline, extending the lead by six points.
Historically, Papenhuyzen has been a reliable kicker, converting around 80% of his attempts and only missing 11 goals this season prior to this match.
Reflecting on the situation, Bellamy stated, "I think we'll go back to Nick next week, to be quite honest," acknowledging Meaney's extensive kicking experience in recent seasons.
He added, "We'll have a chat about it and go from there." While Papenhuyzen contributed positively in other areas during his return, he also made a few mistakes.