Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Live sport on SN this weekendStorm CEO: Papenhuyzen definitely considering R360 option
Nicholas Quinlan • November 14th, 2025 8:06 pm
Melbourne Storm CEO, Justin Rodski, remains in the belief that Ryan Papenhuyzen is yet to decide his future following his exit from the club.
The 2020 Clive Churchill Medallist, who has been rumoured to join rebel Rugby Union competition R360, would be released on mutual agreement with the club, citing a desire to take a break from the game to consider his future.
With a year to go on his contract before his departure, this is believed to be a possible way for him to be able to sign with R360 without having to incur a 10-year penalty, as proposed by ARLC chairman Peter V'Landys for any NRL player to have signed with the upstart competition by not technically being contracted with an NRL club.
But Rodski admits that having spoken with the 27-year-old, he doesn’t think even Papenhuyzen knows what his future holds.
“I’ve spoken to him,” he said on SEN’s The Captain’s Run.
“He’s still in that period of deciding what he wants to do next and I’m actually not sure which way he is going to go. I’m not convinced he is either.
“R360 is definitely something that he is considering. Whether or not he ends up going there and doing that in the short term, I’m really not sure.”
Antoine Dupont says no to R360 | Scotty & Izzy
Reaction to his departure from the Storm was some shock, with most fans caught off guard.
But as the CEO describes, by the time the decision was announced to the public, both club and player were happy to part, with the club wanting to ensure that they celebrate his achievements over his seven seasons with the side.
“In terms of reaction, I think initially, quite a lot of our fans were pretty shocked,” Rodski said.
“But ultimately, he’s been an incredible player for the club, (he’s) a cult hero here, and he’s very generous with the fans, whether it be post-game or on social media. So, he’s built a really strong connection with the Storm…we made sure we really celebrated his career and his time here.
“And it was very mutual in the end that we parted ways, so he kind of goes with our blessing but he leaves here as a premiership player and Clive Churchill Medallist and ultimately will always be a part of the Melbourne Storm family, and we move forward now and look at opportunities for players to come in, step up and play a role in that fullback position.”
