Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen said he felt “really good” after returning from a 405-day injury lay-off in a 37-16 win over the Titans but did admit he went through some “dark days”.
Papenhuyzen started on the bench and was injected into the game in the 61st minute – his first piece of NRL action since suffering a gruesome knee injury against the Raiders in Round 18 of last season (July 17, 2022).
Papenhuyzen was typically lively in his 19 minute stint, playing a roving role in the middle of the field, with the Storm breaking open the game when he came on, outscoring the Titans 19-0.
The 25-year-old premiership winning player returned to the NRL through a few games with the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the QLD Cup, which he credited as important to his confidence levels.
“I think obviously having a few games in QLD Cup really helped with the nerves knowing that my body could hold up,” Papenhuyzen said.
“I felt really good today, really calm and the boys made my job easy during the week. I just had to go out and run hard and make my tackles, probably flew off a couple there but I’m getting back into it.
“I felt really good. Obviously I came on when the Titans boys were all tired so I just had to work my magic there and try and get my hands on the footy and get those nerves out of the way.”
The Melbourne crowd erupted when Papenhuyzen handed over his interchange card and ran onto the field, with comeback man, Storm five-eighth Cam Munster and coach Craig Bellamy describing the scene.
“It was awesome. I can’t believe the crowd honestly. I came and watched a couple of Matildas games here and that was loud, but that was outstanding,” Papenhuyzen said.
“The atmosphere was massive. The big cheer and roar, I really thought it was someone like Elton John was here,” Munster quipped while Bellamy said he “didn’t expect that sort of reception for him.”
Papenhuyzen was full of gratitude for all the support he received from the Storm fans during his road to recovery, admitting it got him through some tough periods.
“Massive, massive thank you to everyone who came out today. It was a pretty tight contest there for a long time and I went on and had to do my job but yeah it’s a great feeling to be back,” Papenhuyzen said.
“I did but it had its setbacks with it. As I got closer towards it, it got further away and I just had to hang in there. It’s definitely worth it I’ll tell you that much.
“All those dark days that you have, to run back out here at AAMI Park and with a team like this, I’m lucky to get picked and lucky to be back out there playing.
The support from everyone, it genuinely felt like everyone wanted me to come back. All the messages, it’s unbelievable. I’m so grateful.”
Papenhuyzen did single out one person at the Storm who assisted him greatly in his recovery, physio Liam Robinson.
