LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Ryan Papenhuyzen, the 2020 Clive Churchill medallist and Melbourne Storm superstar, is no longer part of an NRL roster.
His exit is expected to have significant implications not just for himself, but also for the league at large. The most affected party appears to be the Storm, who have now freed up substantial funds following Papenhuyzen's departure.
With nearly $1 million now off the club's payroll as they approach 2026, the Storm find themselves in a prime position within the NRL, especially after enjoying two successive Grand Final appearances.
As they search for a replacement for their star fullback, the Storm fortunately face no real dilemma.
Younger talent Sua Fa'alogo is set to step into the fullback role, facing little to no competition. His skills are so impressive that the Storm once contemplated giving him the position ahead of Papenhuyzen, despite his being five years younger.