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Storm want to make gun No.1 among NRL’s richest
Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Storm.Source: Getty Images
Premiers Melbourne have cranked up negotiations to make Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen one of the highest paid players in the NRL but the gun fullback will seek clarification about the future of supercoach Craig Bellamy before committing long-term.
Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are viewed as the Storm’s new-wave answer to the departure of the original “big three” as Melbourne attempt to continue their reign as one of the NRL’s benchmark clubs.
With Papenhuyzen currently off contract with the Storm at the end of 2022, the future of three-time premiership-winning coach Bellamy will be crucial.
The Storm are currently in the process of trying to convince Bellamy to sign on for one more season as head coach in 2022 before transitioning into a coaching director role for 2023 and beyond.
But the Brisbane Broncos have tabled a massive $1 million per season offer to try and lure Bellamy to Red Hill as they attempt to rebuild the club from last season’s wooden spoon.
The Cronulla Sharks are also at the negotiating table after recently emerging as another surprise contender for the Melbourne Storm coach.
Papenhuyzen, 22, has stamped himself as the NRL’s next $1 million-per-season player after a breakout 2020 season saw him win the Clive Churchill medal in last year’s grand final as Melbourne powered to another premiership.
The Storm have ramped up negotiations over the course of the last fortnight to try and extend Papenhuyzen as a long-term Melbourne player as they set about the challenge of aiming for back-to-back premierships.
The electric fullback will showcase his skill set in Sydney on Thursday night when the Storm take on fellow title contenders Parramatta at BankWest Stadium.
The round two clash between the Eels and Storm shapes as the match of the round as Papenhuyzen, Munster and Jahrome Hughes line-up opposite Eels stars Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown.
The forward pack battle enjoys equal top-billing with Eels enforcers Junior Paulo and Nathan Brown to go head-to-head with Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Papenhuyzen’s greatest asset - speed - was a major factor in the Melbourne Storm scoring almost double the amount of long-range tries from outside 50m than their nearest rival South Sydney last season.
The Fox Sports Lab shows Melbourne scored 21 tries from outside the 50m mark last year with NSW Origin and Australian Test winger Josh Addo-Carr scoring eight and Papenhuyzen crossing for seven.
The two Storm speedsters head the NRL’s list of players scoring from long range with St George Illawarra fullback Matt Dufty crossing for seven tries and Souths flyer Alex Johnston crossing for five.
Melbourne’s nearest rivals in terms of scoring from long-range was South Sydney with the Rabbitohs crossing for 13 tries.
Prior to Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes recommitting to the club until the end of 2024 only a fortnight ago, the halfback also sought clarification about Bellamy’s next move.
The same goes for Brisbane Broncos winger Xavier Coates - off contract at the end of this season - who the Storm coach met over Christmas and the club remains interested in signing.
www.foxsports.com.au
Premiers Melbourne have cranked up negotiations to make Clive Churchill medallist Ryan Papenhuyzen one of the highest paid players in the NRL but the gun fullback will seek clarification about the future of supercoach Craig Bellamy before committing long-term.
Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant are viewed as the Storm’s new-wave answer to the departure of the original “big three” as Melbourne attempt to continue their reign as one of the NRL’s benchmark clubs.
With Papenhuyzen currently off contract with the Storm at the end of 2022, the future of three-time premiership-winning coach Bellamy will be crucial.
The Storm are currently in the process of trying to convince Bellamy to sign on for one more season as head coach in 2022 before transitioning into a coaching director role for 2023 and beyond.
But the Brisbane Broncos have tabled a massive $1 million per season offer to try and lure Bellamy to Red Hill as they attempt to rebuild the club from last season’s wooden spoon.
The Cronulla Sharks are also at the negotiating table after recently emerging as another surprise contender for the Melbourne Storm coach.
Papenhuyzen, 22, has stamped himself as the NRL’s next $1 million-per-season player after a breakout 2020 season saw him win the Clive Churchill medal in last year’s grand final as Melbourne powered to another premiership.
The Storm have ramped up negotiations over the course of the last fortnight to try and extend Papenhuyzen as a long-term Melbourne player as they set about the challenge of aiming for back-to-back premierships.
The electric fullback will showcase his skill set in Sydney on Thursday night when the Storm take on fellow title contenders Parramatta at BankWest Stadium.
The round two clash between the Eels and Storm shapes as the match of the round as Papenhuyzen, Munster and Jahrome Hughes line-up opposite Eels stars Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown.
The forward pack battle enjoys equal top-billing with Eels enforcers Junior Paulo and Nathan Brown to go head-to-head with Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Papenhuyzen’s greatest asset - speed - was a major factor in the Melbourne Storm scoring almost double the amount of long-range tries from outside 50m than their nearest rival South Sydney last season.
The Fox Sports Lab shows Melbourne scored 21 tries from outside the 50m mark last year with NSW Origin and Australian Test winger Josh Addo-Carr scoring eight and Papenhuyzen crossing for seven.
The two Storm speedsters head the NRL’s list of players scoring from long range with St George Illawarra fullback Matt Dufty crossing for seven tries and Souths flyer Alex Johnston crossing for five.
Melbourne’s nearest rivals in terms of scoring from long-range was South Sydney with the Rabbitohs crossing for 13 tries.
Prior to Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes recommitting to the club until the end of 2024 only a fortnight ago, the halfback also sought clarification about Bellamy’s next move.
The same goes for Brisbane Broncos winger Xavier Coates - off contract at the end of this season - who the Storm coach met over Christmas and the club remains interested in signing.
Storm want to make gun No.1 among NRL’s richest — but there’s a $1m sticking point
Storm want to make gun No.1 among NRL’s richest — but there’s a $1m sticking point
www.foxsports.com.au
