Ryan Papenhuyzen has candidly discussed his departure from the Melbourne Storm, sharing the pivotal moment that led him to step away from rugby league. Following the Storm’s grand final loss to the Brisbane Broncos, the club announced Papenhuyzen’s immediate release from his contract, sparking speculation about his next move.
Amid rumors of a potential shift to the R360 league, the 27-year-old has confirmed he plans to take a year off from the sport. Speaking on the “167 Podcast,” which he co-hosts with former teammates Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster, Papenhuyzen sought to clarify his decision.
“I will set the record straight… I don’t even know where to start, but I’ll start from the Brisbane game in the last round,” he explained. “So that game, pretty much I had that head knock in the last minutes and obviously went off the field and was in the sheds, pretty emotional … I was rattled.”
The Turning Point
Papenhuyzen recounted the emotional aftermath of a head knock during the final minutes of the game against Brisbane, which led him to question his future in rugby league. “In that moment it was kind of like, what am I doing? At what cost do you play footy for?” he reflected. This incident became the catalyst for conversations about taking a break from the sport.
He elaborated on his internal conflict, stating that regardless of the outcome of the grand final, he had resolved to take a year off. “There was always a bit of me that thought if we lose, I’d want to come back and play again and if we won, it would be good to just go off and do it,” he said.
A New Chapter
In a surprising revelation, Papenhuyzen suggested that he might be retiring from rugby league altogether. While acknowledging the allure of a potential move to rugby union, he emphasized that the head injury against the Broncos was a turning point.
Instead, Papenhuyzen is exploring new challenges outside of football, despite the difficulty of leaving the sport’s environment and financial benefits. He expressed a desire to pursue interests in psychology and helping others, saying, “What else in life do I want to achieve? That was helping people. In what capacity? I love psychology and I guess I love new experiences so what can I channel that into?”
“I know I said a year [not playing] but at this stage, I don’t actually feel like I would play at all. I think I’m enjoying what I’m doing now and I’m going to give that my all,” he added.
Legacy and Future Prospects
During his time with the Melbourne Storm, Papenhuyzen played 113 games, won a premiership, and scored 77 tries. His decision to step away from rugby league marks the end of a significant chapter in his career, but he remains optimistic about the future.
Reflecting on his journey, Papenhuyzen remarked, “It was nearly like ‘no, you need to make this decision, be strong with it, stick with it’ … so now I think I’m retired.”
As Papenhuyzen transitions to life beyond the NRL, his story serves as a reminder of the personal and professional crossroads athletes often face. The sports world will undoubtedly watch closely to see what the future holds for this talented player, both on and off the field.
