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Ryan Papenhuyzen extends with Melbourne Storm to 2026 season
Melissa Woods, AAP • December 12th, 2024 10:30 am
Photo: James Ross/AAP
Gun fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him in Melbourne until the end of the 2026 NRL season.
Already locked in for next year, the 26-year-old tested his value on the open market and was offered big money deals by a number of Sydney clubs but decided to stay with the Storm.
Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant are now all signed until the end of 2026, while fellow spine star Cameron Munster is locked in until 2027, boosting Melbourne's hopes of a premiership.
"I feel like we're building something special here and I have a real drive to see that through," Papenhuyzen said in a statement on Thursday.
"We've had the core group of our squad together for a while and played a lot of footy alongside each other.
"To stay in Melbourne and hopefully enjoy success together is something that motivates me."
Papenhuyzen made his NRL debut with Melbourne in 2019 however his career has been limited to 30 matches in the past three seasons due to serious leg injuries.
Despite the setbacks he's still established himself as one of the game's premier fullbacks.
Storm boss Justin Rodski said Papenhuyzen had become an important leader at the club.
"Ryan is a quality person and a quality player - he's someone who has become a really important part of our club and a leader for our younger players," Rodski said.
Papenhuyzen returned to pre-season training in Melbourne on Wednesday alongside a strong contingent of senior players.
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