LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Rugby League legend Matty Johns has brought up some parallels between Ryan Papenhuyzen's current situation with the Melbourne Storm and Cooper Cronk's departure to the Roosters back in 2018.
Papenhuyzen, who is now a free agent for the 2026 season, has opted to explore his options after allegedly being offered a contract extension at a reduced rate compared to his current salary.
Johns, speaking on SEN radio, suggested that Papenhuyzen's relationship with the Storm might not be as rosy as it seems.
He recalled how in 2018, when Papenhuyzen was still climbing the ranks, Melbourne didn't hesitate to try and offload him to other clubs as they saw him as being further down the pecking order behind players like Scott Drinkwater, Nicho Hynes, and Jahrome Hughes.
"This is just a hunch, but it looks like Paps and the Storm have had a bit of a rocky road," Johns commented.
With Papenhuyzen now up for grabs in the transfer market, Sydney clubs are expected to come knocking with lucrative offers, potentially exceeding the Storm's initial proposal.
The drama surrounding Papenhuyzen's future could indeed come back to haunt the Storm, echoing the Cronk saga in recent Rugby League history.