In one of the most devastating moments of the NRL season, Ryan Papenhuyzen has suffered a serious ankle injury during Friday night's loss to the Broncos.
In just his third game back in the top grade from a lengthy injury layoff, the 25-year-old was taken off by the medi-cab late in the second-half at Suncorp Stadium.
According to an initial report from the club, Papenhuyzen has sustained a fractured ankle which will end his season and see the former Clive Churchill Medal winner sidelined for an extended period once again.
After coming off the bench in the first-half, Papenhuyzen played both fullback and in the middle, with the injury occurring in an attempt to make a tackle on his own line in the 73rd minute.
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Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen suffers serious ankle injury
Papenhuyzen was seen with the green whistle as he was carted off the field, but there are varying reports on social media regarding the definitive prognosis of the injury.
Initial report from the Storm is a compound lower leg/ankle fracture for Ryan Papenhuyzen - means the broken bone has pierced the skin. Obviously the fracture itself is a significant injury, but the open wound can’t be underestimated. Brings risk of infection ++
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 8, 2023
This would literally be huge. Keeping the bones contained in the skin with no open wound/significantly increased risk of infection is very positive for prognosis. Please let the good news keep coming for Paps https://t.co/7NPVeGSANO
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 8, 2023
The star fullback spent 14 months away from the game due to a fractured patella suffered against the Raiders in 2022, but came back through QLD Cup and into first grade in the lead-up to finals.
Craig Bellamy was visibly emotional in the coaches box as Papenhuyzen was taken off the field, with the side going down 26-0 to the Broncos, and revealed the star fullback has been taken to hospital.
“I haven’t actually seen him… he’s gone to hospital," the coach said.
"Frank [Ponissi] said he was in a whole heap of pain and it’s a suspected broken ankle.
“I just couldn’t imagine how he’s feeling at the moment. The amount of work he has put in to get back to playing again.
"It wasn’t a great night anyway, and it made it a lot worse."
Melbourne's general manager of football, Frank Ponissi would confirm that Papenhuyzen has undergone surgery.
"We're obviously devastated for Ryan suffering another setback after spending a significant time away from the game after injuring his knee last year," Ponissi said.
"He's worked extremely hard to get back to the NRL over that time and left no stone unturned in his recovery.
"We know that he is the ultimate professional on and off the field and this is just another challenge that he will take on with both hands.
"His surgery went well this morning and, at this stage, we expect him to be back training in the new year but for now we're focused on ensuring he is getting the right care."
The NRL world was rocked by the injury with opposition coach Kevin Walters sharing his condolences as well.
"We on behalf of the Broncos want to wish all the best with what looks to be a pretty serious injury," Walters said.
"Rugby league is a tough sport and you never really want to see that happen to anyone, not good."
Papenhuyzen himself would post to Instagram from hospital after the injury.
Xavier Coates under injury cloud after Storm loss
Papenhuyzen's injury will see the premiership winner sidelined indefinitely, but he won't be the only Storm player unavailable for next weekend.
Representative winger Xavier Coates was also taken off the field with an ankle issue, however the extent is unknown at this stage.
“We’re not quite sure how bad that is, but it’s not looking great obviously at this time of year," Bellamy said.
"He will probably go and have scans or X-rays or whatever."
Trent Loiero and Marion Seve both suffered head knocks in the clash, while Young Tonumaipea suffered a nasty cut to his face in the first-half.
