Ryan Papenhuyzen goes public with new romance amid Melbourne Storm contract development
The fullback looks to be off the open market - both on and off the field.
Ryan Papenhuyzen is winning both on and off the field, and it looks like the secret to success might be a new romance. The gun fullback is on the cusp of signing a contract extension with the Melbourne Storm, and has previously revealed the role Billy Slater and wife Nicole have played in keeping him on the right track.
But it looks like there's another special woman who has come into Papenhuyzen's life over the last few months. Speaking on the 'Ausmerican Aces' podcast in June with Storm teammates Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, the fullback hinted that he was off the market.
“Yeah boys, I don’t live the single life any more,” the 26-year-old said at the time. “I am off the market. I’m locked up. There’s no launches yet, it’s very early stages.”
Munster asked: “So you’re seeing someone?" To which Papenhuyzen replied: “Yes.” Hughes then asked: “Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane?” And Papenghuyzen said: “It doesn’t matter" with a sheepish laugh.
Two months later and it looks like the mystery woman has been unmasked. Papenhuyzen posted a photo with Sydney influencer Emma Mac on social media this week in a series of pics with the caption "pookie era". And just last week, Mac informed her followers that she'll be moving to Melbourne in the very near future.
Ryan Papenhuyzen on verge of extension with Melbourne Storm
With Papenhuyzen's relationship status now confirmed, he's looking to secure his future at the Storm. The fullback's agent Clinton Schifcofske reportedly met with Storm officials on Thursday to finalise a new three-year deal for the 26-year-old.
Papenhuyzen's current contract runs until the end of the 2025 season, meaning he would be free to negotiate with rival NRL clubs come November 1 this year. But a new deal would take him off the market - both on and off the field.
“It’s a weird feeling because I’ve never really been off contract,” he said after Melbourne's win over South Sydney on Thursday night. “We’re getting close to it (November 1) and you hear that other clubs are interested, but I really love Melbourne and love what we’ve built here.
“I don’t want to go anywhere, that’s for sure, but week to week it’s getting closer to November 1. What I’ve done is what I’ve done. I know my value now and I’ve got to stick with that a little more rather than come out here and try putting on a performance.”
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Ryan Papenhuyzen keen to repay Melbourne Storm's faith
Papenhuyzen has had an injury-plagued run, fracturing his leg twice in two years after also shattering his knee cap in 2022. With young phenom Sua Faalogo banging down the door, the Storm have a tricky call to make on re-signing Papehuyzen.
“That’s normal. It’s a business," he said of the club's desire to see him put together a string of good games. "If I was the head of a business then I’d want the same.
“I’ve done a lot of work on my mental side of the game and I’ve done a lot of work on the technical side of the game, and now it’s about physically getting those reps in. I think I’ll be a better player for it, but at the same time I can see why they’re waiting.
“It’s a hard one because I probably haven’t been able to fully think about it. You want the club to offer something, but the longer it goes, you’re like ‘sh-t, do they want me?’ The conversations I had with the owners, they all want me to be at the club. I’m pretty sure my manager met up with one of the owners this week, so I’m sure he’ll message me after the game saying how that went. As I know now, it’s all up in the air until something gets offered when we’ll know more.”
