Injured Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has revealed that there is no definitive return date to the playing field but said he is making progress in his rehab and will play at some stage this season.
Papenhuyzen last played in Round 18 2022 when he suffered a shattered patella in the Storm’s 20-16 to the Canberra Raiders at AAMI Park.
Papenhuyzen admitted that it had been a frustrating nine months being injured but is happy that he is able to run on land once again.
“I’ve been building up towards (a return),” Papenhuyzen said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“I’ve been progressing in my rehab which has given me a lot of confidence.
“The main anxiety I have had has been around getting my running gait back.
“Once that was back, I was confident in moving to (running on) sand and once I did the sand, I thought I was able to run on land.
“I’ve done all the work now and have looked at everything that I could possibly do and if I tick all those boxes, then there’s no excuses.
“There’s still a long way to go to get where I need to be.
“Now that I’m back running, it will be just about how I back up and how the body feels.
“There is nothing set in stone yet but it’s looking promising.”
The 2020 Clive Churchill medallist traveled to Philadelphia to work under renowned reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles during the off-season.
Whilst overseas, Papenhuyzen with Australian basketball legend Patty Mills and said that the two bonded over their rehab.
“Patty had a couple of injuries when he first saw (Bill) as well," he added.
“It was great to get (Patty’s) insights and we mainly spoke about his career so far and his time with the Boomers.
“It was so amazing how open and honest he was. It was good to see that and he is a genuine Aussie at heart.”
