LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a surprising turn of events, Melbourne Storm's Ryan Papenhuyzen has been shopped to at least one NRL club, according to reports.
The news comes after years of private anguish for the cult hero.
It is believed that a third party linked to the Storm approached a rival club, trying to gauge their interest in signing the 25-year-old fullback.
This mysterious development has left many wondering about Papenhuyzen's future with the Storm and the motives behind this move.
Melbourne's general manager, Frank Ponissi, however, dismissed the suggestion, highlighting that Papenhuyzen had recently signed a three-year contract extension worth around $2 million.
Ponissi's reaction suggests that the Storm are committed to keeping the talented fullback as part of their team.
Moreover, Papenhuyzen himself seemed unaffected by the news, indicating that he is focused on his current contract, which runs until the end of 2025.
While Papenhuyzen is undoubtedly a fan favorite and one of the NRL's most marketable players, the Storm have another rising star in their ranks.
This emergence of a new fullback could potentially have influenced the decision to explore Papenhuyzen's availability with other clubs.
The Storm are known for their ability to develop young talent, and it appears that they are confident in their ability to continue this trend.
As the story unfolds, rugby league fans are left to speculate about the reasons behind this shock move and the potential implications for Papenhuyzen's future.
Only time will tell if he remains a Storm player or if he will embark on a new chapter with another NRL club.