Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen suffers ‘absolutely heart breaking’ ankle injury that casts doubt on his playing future just one year after shattering kneecap in 10 places
Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen suffers ‘absolutely heartbreaking’ ankle injury that casts doubt on his playing future, just a year after shattering kneecap in 10 places
- Melbourne lost their qualifying final against Brisbane 26-0
- Papenhuyzen’s horror injury made the night much worse
- Coming off a courageous comeback, returning from a serious knee injury
Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen’s immediate playing future is in doubt after he suffered a suspected compound fracture to his lower leg during the club’s 26-0 NRL final defeat to the Brisbane Broncos.
Papenhuyzen was injured last year when he fractured his kneecap during a match against Canberra in July, with the bone breaking into ten different pieces.
He was just three games back in his return bid when the crushing injury occurred late in the final match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The 25-year-old was visibly distraught as players created a shield around him so medics could attend to the injury before he was stretchered to applause from respectful Brisbane supporters.
The incident was reminiscent of a horror night in 2012 where former Bronco Jharal Yow Yeh suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle during a match in Perth.
The former Broncos, Maroons and Australia representative fought valiantly to return to rugby league but retired after failing to complete a trial match.
Papenhuyzen immediately knew he was in trouble and was desperate when medics attended to him on the field
The Storm fullback was three games back from his shock knee injury last season, which left him shattering the kneecap in 10 places
Papenhuyzen had made a strong comeback in the NRL in August, playing 19 minutes in a match against the Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park in a 37-16 Storm win.
He had previously taken tentative steps in his comeback with the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup.
Fans have been left shocked by the latest injury setback that has the potential to end the talented full-back’s career prematurely.
“Not a Storm fan at all but it was deeply upsetting to see Papenhuyzen suffer another horrific injury after just returning,” a Brisbane supporter wrote:
“I have to feel for Papenhuyzen mate, the guy looked desperate, especially after recovering from that horrible injury,” another replied.
‘Devastating. No matter who you support, I can’t imagine anyone watching whose heart didn’t sink in that moment. My thoughts are with Papenhuyzen, I hope it wasn’t as bad as it seems,” another fan posted.
The Storm’s Ryan Papenhuyzen is taken off the field on a stretcher after an ankle injury during the NRL qualifying final between the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm
Winger Xavier Coates also limped off in the 70th minute as the Broncos broke a 5285-day losing drought against their arch-foes at Suncorp Stadium and qualified for a preliminary NRL final at home in two weeks.
Melbourne will play the winner of the Cronulla-Sydney Roosters elimination final in Melbourne next week.