LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Ryan Papenhuyzen, a talented fullback for the Melbourne Storm, has suffered a devastating ankle injury during a crucial NRL finals game.
This comes as a major blow for Papenhuyzen, who had recently returned to the field after a year-long injury layoff.
The Broncos took advantage of a struggling Storm outfit and secured a dominant victory in the first finals game.
Despite the Storm's struggles, coach Craig Bellamy decided to introduce Papenhuyzen in the hopes of turning the tide.
However, disaster struck in the 73rd minute when Papenhuyzen's leg became trapped under teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona during a tackle.
The 25-year-old immediately fell to the ground in excruciating pain.
Both teams' players rushed to Papenhuyzen's aid as the referee halted the game and called for medical assistance.
The severity of the injury was evident, as his ankle was visibly dislocated.
The broadcast team expressed their shock and disbelief at the gruesome sight.
Commentator Dan Ginnane, in particular, expressed sympathy for Papenhuyzen, highlighting the immense effort he had put in to make his comeback.
Ginnane emphasized the unfairness of the situation, stating that Papenhuyzen did not deserve such a devastating injury.
This injury has left the rugby league community in disbelief, as Papenhuyzen's talent and contribution to the game have been highly regarded.
It remains to be seen how long his recovery process will be and what impact this will have on the Storm's finals campaign.