Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen mentioned he felt “really good” after coming back from a 405-day damage lay-off in a 37-16 win over the Titans however did admit he went by way of some “dark days”.
Papenhuyzen began on the bench and was injected into the sport within the 61st minute – his first piece of NRL motion since struggling a ugly knee damage in opposition to the Raiders in Round 18 of final season (July 17, 2022).
Papenhuyzen was usually energetic in his 19 minute stint, taking part in a roving position in the midst of the sphere, with the Storm breaking open the sport when he got here on, outscoring the Titans 19-0.
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The 25-year-old premiership profitable participant returned to the NRL by way of a number of video games with the Sunshine Coast Falcons within the QLD Cup, which he credited as necessary to his confidence ranges.
“I think obviously having a few games in QLD Cup really helped with the nerves knowing that my body could hold up,” Papenhuyzen mentioned.
“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 sphere, 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 mentioned.
“The atmosphere was massive. The big cheer and roar, I really thought it was someone like Elton John was here,” Munster quipped whereas Bellamy mentioned he “didn’t expect that sort of reception for him.”
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Papenhuyzen was stuffed with gratitude for all of the help he obtained from the Storm followers throughout his street to restoration, admitting it received him by way of some powerful durations.
“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 mentioned.
“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.”
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Papenhuyzen did single out one particular person on the Storm who assisted him significantly in his restoration, physio Liam Robinson.
“There’s obviously a lot of people but Liam Robinson, one of our physios, he came over the America with me. He was new to the job when he first come in and he pretty much had the job of Project Papy,” he mentioned.
“He came in and didn’t know me from a bar of soap but I feel we are really good mates now.
“There were some really dark days there where I didn’t feel like I could do training or do anything like that but he always kept me up.
“He’s probably one guy I haven’t got around to thank yet but hopefully he watches the replay back because what he did for me I really appreciate.”
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