Ryan Papenhuyzen has broken his silence on his shock exit from the Melbourne Storm, revealing he is stepping away to 'explore life' beyond rugby league. The 27-year-old fullback was granted a release from the final year of his contract, walking away from a $950,000 salary.
In a lengthy Instagram statement, Papenhuyzen said the decision was not easy but important for his personal growth. 'I've come to a point in my career where I'd like to explore life beyond the game I've dedicated myself to,' he wrote. He added that he is healthy but needs a break to focus on the next chapter.
The move has fueled speculation that Papenhuyzen will join the breakaway R360 league, which is set to kick off next October. He confirmed earlier this year that he had been in talks with the rebel competition, but his statement gave no indication of his future plans. R360 officials declined to comment on his exit.
Papenhuyzen's last game for the Storm could be the 26-22 grand final loss to Brisbane. The NRL has vowed to ban any player who joins R360 for 10 years, but it is unclear if that applies to Papenhuyzen since he no longer has an NRL contract for next season.
In his emotional post, Papenhuyzen thanked the Storm family, saying the club shaped him as a person. 'All I ever wanted to do as a kid was to play one game in the NRL. To not only achieve that dream, but to do it with one of the best sporting franchises in the country has been something I'll always be proud of.'
