Why mystery surrounds Papenhuyzen link to Storm’s rivals

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Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen has been secretly floated to at least one rival club as a potential recruit, but Melbourne say he is going nowhere.

Papenhuyzen has been mentioned to a team to gauge interest in his services. The club has been approached by a third party on the quiet with the message being, if he were to become available, would they be interested and, if so, at what level.

It is a conversation that is easy to deny and Melbourne general manager Frank Ponissi laughed at the idea of an early departure for Papenhuyzen, who signed a three-year contract extension in 2021 for about $2 million, which runs until the end of the 2025 season.

Papenhuyzen was not fazed when contacted, saying he had no knowledge of any discussions.

It is a common practice for a third party with links to a team to broach sensitive contract moves because it allows the club to distance itself from any discussions. After Melbourne’s denial I went back to the NRL club that has been sounded out and it confirmed it had been asked about Papenhuyzen.

The level of intent behind the conversations is hard to gauge, and it is difficult to predict if it will lead to anything. Papenhuyzen is a fan favourite and beloved at the club, but the Storm have a star on the rise in Sualauvi Faalogo.

Ryan Papenhuyzen has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons.Credit: NRL Photos

He may have played only one NRL game, but his performance left the league world stunned. Then he earned rave reviews after taking on Australia last weekend with Samoa. Faalogo’s Benji Marshall-style “midair” step and pace have him marked as an emerging star. That is why a potential Papenhuyzen exit makes some sense.

Papenhuyzen is on big money and, through no fault of his own, he has been unable to deliver in recent years. The knee injury he suffered against Canberra in 2022 kept him out for more than a year. He broke his leg a couple of games into his comeback and also spent considerable time out following a serious concussion in 2021.

In his absence, Nick Meaney has proven to be a more than capable fullback. The Storm need to bolster their forward roster, and any extra cash freed up by a Papenhuyzen deal would be useful.

Papenhuyzen has admitted to some dark times on the comeback trail but got through them by working hard on self-development. I had a long chat to him recently, before this information came to me, and it was clear he still has a strong desire to be the best fullback in the game. After his major knee injury, he got back to 93 per cent of his previous top speed.

Sam Burgess’ messy exit from South Sydney made plenty of headlines.Credit: Getty

Land of hope, glory?

Sam Burgess flew to England on Thursday with hope and sadness in his heart.

He has had to leave his older children in Australia as he chases his coaching dream on the other side of the world with British club Warrington Wolves, but he needs to forge a new career and set himself up for the next phase of his life.

“It’s a great challenge in front of me, but one I’m excited for,” he said before he left. “Warrington are an extremely proud club with a rich history, so that will come with extra responsibility. The game is my absolute passion and coaching is what I love to do – all aspects of it.”

Burgess’ messy exit from South Sydney has been well covered, and it is obvious he is now going to England to prove himself as a coach. All the talk has been that he would be welcomed back at Souths one day, and it has already been suggested he is doing an apprenticeship of sorts before returning as an NRL head coach.

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has just re-signed and he has heard all the rumours. He is up for the challenge on a personal front and on the team front.

Demetriou has just quit X, formerly known as Twitter, and don’t expect him to return any time soon. It was unusual he was still on the social media platform after taking over the top job at Redfern. He was the only NRL coach on X, but recently decided it is not for him.

Demetriou revealed he left the platform as part of a think tank-style podcast he features on. The podcast is hosted by former Bulldogs and Dragons star James Graham and covers the perils of social media, dealing with traditional media, State of Origin’s place in the game and grassroots league, among other topics.

South Sydney Rabbitohs head coach Jason Demetriou.Credit: Kate Geraghty

It is debated by Demetriou, Graham, former Rabbitohs general manager Shane Richardson and former Storm, Blues and current Cronulla forward Dale Finucane. Demetriou told the podcast he had decided to escape the toxic environment that X encourages.

“I’m not on it any more … Twitter [X] is a nasty beast,” he said. “I was always on it even before I was coaching. I was copping it when you’re winning, and when you lose.

“Even if you don’t have social media, it’s a conversation I have with the players around making sure that they’re in a circle now that they don’t need to know the crap that’s been said. Because if you don’t know, it’s not a problem.”

Support for Turner

South Sydney have set up a trust fund for the ongoing education and health expenses of Kyle Turner’s three young children. The fund will be administered by the Rabbitohs, Turner’s former manager Steve Gillis, and the Family of League foundation.

Former Rabbitohs grand final winner Kyle Turner.Credit: Getty

Funds will be raised through an online auction, which is under way; a lunch at The Juniors Kingsford on November 3 from 1pm-4pm; and donations via Souths Cares.

Online auction items are being received every day. The Rabbitohs have had support from cricketer Nathan Lyon, who donated a signed replica baggy green cap via the Family of League. Greg Inglis is giving a signed Rabbitohs jersey, while Tim Tszyu has donated signed boxing gloves. The NRL has donated a weekend VIP experience for the 2024 All Stars game, a fixture Turner held close to his heart when he represented the Indigenous All Stars. There is also a match-worn Rabbitohs jersey signed by Turner.

Former Rabbitoh Jason Clark is travelling the country to have replica 2014 Souths premiership jerseys and frames signed by the surviving members of the team for auction. For more details go to rabbitohs.com.au/kyleturner.

V’landys leaves Carr door open

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has not ruled out Josh Addo-Carr becoming the face of Indigenous rugby league.

It comes a week after this column’s revelation that Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould organised for Addo-Carr, his family and his agent, Mario Tartak, to meet V’landys to pursue the idea of “The Foxx” becoming “The Face”.

Addo-Carr’s involvement in a brawl at the Koori Knockout appeared to have damaged his chances of taking on a greater role in the game. But Gould must have hit a mark with V’landys at the meeting.

Addo-Carr is understood to have apologised to the Bulldogs for his behaviour in a separate conversation.

However, he has again been in the headlines this week for comments he made in a podcast, where he said he had been knocked out in a game before he punched a player during the brawl at the Koori Knockout. He was also forced to apologise after he posted online about the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Addo-Carr clearly has strong appeal and traction with fans, in particular kids, throughout the game. The NRL wants him to realise his worth; as do the Bulldogs, who have supported him throughout his recent issues.

“I don’t think that The Foxx has damaged himself beyond repair – he certainly has not done his dash in my eyes,” V’landys said. “Everybody makes mistakes, and I think a lot will depend on how Josh comes back from this mistake.

“He still can be a good role model by showing how he has learnt from this situation and being an example to others that they can learn from errors of judgment and come back as better people. If he shows good signs in that area, I think that is a good example for people and his fans throughout the game, so we can consider him for a role that was proposed by Phil Gould.”

New pecking order

Michael Maguire’s likely elevation to the NSW Blues coaching job and his desire to keep the New Zealand gig will bring up a number of conflicts – one of which was highlighted this week when he labelled Joey Manu potentially the best fullback in the game.

As it stands, Manu’s Roosters teammate James Tedesco is the Blues captain and fullback. By declaring that if Manu was playing more time at fullback he would be the best No.1 in the game is sure to have an impact.

Coach on defensive

Watching the Eddie Jones situation very carefully is former league star and aspiring rugby head coach Brett Hodgson.

Jones recruited Hodgson to be Wallabies defensive coach after he impressed as a coach in league’s UK-based Super League. Hodgson, despite the recent run of outs for the Wallabies, is determined to be a success in the 15-man code. Obviously, Hodgson would like to continue with the Wallabies and Jones if that is still realistic. If not, a coaching role in rugby has appeal.

Dogs court Curran

The Bulldogs’ recruitment drive is not over. Warriors forward Josh Curran met with the club on Saturday. He is the dynamic style of forward Cameron Ciraldo wants.

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