Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodksi is expecting Ryan Papenhuyzen to return early in the new season, saying the injured fullback has improved since returning from the United States.
The 24-year-old recently flew to Philadelphia to work with renowned rehabilitation specialist Bill Knowles. It came after the Storm star suffered a devastating knee injury that saw his 2022 season cut short.
His progress has been impressive since returning to Australia, with Papenhuyzen telling media in late January: “I feel a lot more confident and a lot more positive about the way forward”.
It’s a similar sentiment to what the club shares.
“It was a great trip for him, first and foremost probably (with) his mental mindset,” Rodski told SEN Mornings.
“When you go through a period of being injured and not being able to participate with the rest of your teammates that can be really challenging, so I think from that perspective it was really beneficial.
“It gave him a lot of confidence in his body and the exercises he was doing and in a timeframe to get back.”
While over in the States, Papenhuyzen gave a revealing insight into his mindset when telling SEN he wants to return when ready to perform, not just when he’s fit.
But even so, the Clive Churchill Medallist is eyeing a return early in the season.
“He mentioned in that interview not just getting back but coming back ready to perform. I can see a lot of progression in him over the last two weeks since he’s been back on top of the two weeks he was over there,” Rodski added.
“There is no timeframe just yet on when he will return, it won’t be during the pre-season trial games but we’re hopeful it will be early in the season, but again, we want to make sure he’s ready to perform when he does come back.”
“So we’ll give him as long as he needs.”
The unfortunate tackle on Canberra’s Jack Wighton last year saw Papenhuyzen famously fracture his kneecap in 10 places.
He managed just 12 appearances last year.
The Storm plays a pre-season trial game at GMHBA Stadium on February 12, while Round 1 kicks off against Parramatta on March 2.