After testing himself on the open market, fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is set to turn down interest from Canterbury and has signed a one-year extension with the Melbourne Storm.
The decision comes after the Storm reportedly offered the star a reduced extension for 2026 on his current deal worth $1.1 million per season.
Upon hearing of his availability, the Bulldogs were quick to show interest, with director of football Phil Gould even making a last-ditch trip to Melbourne to convince Papenhuyzen to make the move.
There were many potential lures for Papenhuyzen to return to Sydney beyond the context of financial gain, having grown up in Rouse Hill and with his family still in western Sydney. Papenhuyzen’s partner also lives in Sydney, and with the Bulldogs’ roster shaping up, would be a valuable addition to Cameron Ciraldo’s side.
With much to consider, Papenhuyzen had revealed he wanted to have his future settled before round one next year.
His future had ramifications with rivals expecting Samoan whiz kid Sua Fa’alogo to become free if Papenhuyzen chose to stay in Melbourne. Should Fa’alogo stay, however, it’ll create an intense battle for the fullback jersey.
“It’s hard to avoid the stuff going around on social media. I haven’t made a decision yet,” Papenhuyzen said to Triple M.
“There’s a lot of narrative around it being money, which is quite easy to speculate about, but that’s something I’ve been really strong on the whole time it’s not money.
“I want to win premierships. I know my career has only got so long in it. I’ve got a growth mindset.”
However, the 26-year-old is now reportedly set to stay at the Storm, reportedly accepting a 12-month, $800,000 extension. Melbourne are reportedly keen to have him sign for even longer, and are hoping it will be enough to keep a circling Gould at bay.
Canterbury reportedly has $1.6 million free in their salary cap, which would blow the Storm out of the water in keeping their young star. However, despite the offer, it appears to have not been enough – with the Storm expecting to make the announcement official in the coming days.
Ryan Papenhuyzen celebrates with teammates. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Despite this, Gould admitted that there are still plenty of options ahead as he goes about rebuilding the Bulldogs’ roster.
“I am always thinking two or three years down the track,” he told the Footy Talk podcast last week.
“We were a long way under the salary cap, we were $700,000 under the cap (this year) and about another $900,000 we paid for players to leave, so that’s $1.6 million.
“The Bulldogs had lost their DNA and during this period we have been able to reconnect with our successful era.
“It’s difficult to turn things around because this competition is extremely close and the competition for quality players and talent is quite fierce and costs a lot of money.
“This year was the start of what we were trying to do. It’s only the start. We are only getting started now and if you look at 2026, which is 15 months away, we’ve only got 20 players signed, and three or four guys are young fellas.”