NRL 'hoping Sua Fa'alogo leaves' Melbourne Storm in new fallout to Ryan Papenhuyzen decision
All eyes will be on Fa'alogo after his rival fullback agreed a new deal with the Storm.
League great Bryan Fletcher says he thinks NRL bosses would be hoping Storm young gun Sua Fa'alogo seeks a move to a rival club in the wake of teammate Ryan Papenhuyzen's extension at Melbourne. Papenhuyzen put weeks of speculation to bed after signing a one-year contract extension that will keep him at Melbourne until the end of 2026, having turned down a longer-term deal that came with a significant pay cut.
Papenhuyzen could have agreed to join another club on more money but is excited about what the Storm are building after they fell short against Penrith in this year's grand final. Papenhuyzen's extension means he, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant are now all signed until the end of 2026, while Cameron Munster is locked in until 2027, boosting the Storm's hopes of a premiership under master coach Craig Bellamy.
It also means Bellamy faces a continued dilemma around electric youngster Fa'alogo, who signed an extension with the Storm until the end of 2028. The 21-year-old livewire has excelled at fullback when Papenhuyzen has been sidelined with injury and has shown his versatility and attacking flair after also impressing on the wing.
But Fa'alogo knows his opportunities and playing time will be limited as long as Papenhuyzen remains Melbourne's fullback, with the young gun reportedly having a handshake agreement allowing him to leave the Storm early if his rival No.1 signed a long-term contract. While that is not the case with Papenhuyzen's new deal, Fletcher believes it's still a very real possibility that Fa'alogo will seek a release if his playing time is limited next season.
Melbourne Storm face dilemma around superstar fullbacks
"He's waiting in the wings, he's been waiting a couple of years. I don't think he can wait until 2027... there's another option in play. I feel that if he doesn't get much of a run next year, then he'll go. And that's fair enough," Fletcher said on SEN radio. The 21-year-old prodigy is deemed by many as the long-term fullback for the Storm. And Papenhuyzen signing on for just one more year could see Melbourne hold onto the pair for now before assessing which one they should prioritise this time next year.
Fletcher says Fa'alogo is too good a player to be used as a bench utility that may only play 15 minutes per game. But former NRL player Joel Caine says he believes the Storm would view the 21-year-old as integral to their premiership hopes. "They (Storm) would believe they're that close to winning this comp," Caine said on SEN. "They'd be saying 'yes we've done the handshake deal (with Fa'alogo) and we have signed Pappy, just hang on for one more year."
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However, Fletcher believes NRL bosses would actually be happy if Fa'alogo left for more game time at a rival club because he is the type of player that fans tune in to watch and supporters flock to the grounds to see. With confirmation a Papua New Guinea team will become the NRL's 18th franchise in 2028, Fa'alogo could be exactly the type of marquee star they could build the club around.
"I feel the NRL would be hoping he leaves for somewhere else as well because he's such a highlight (reel)," Fletcher said. "When he gets out on to the field he's got the goose-step, he's good to watch so they're in a strong position down there the Melbourne Storm."
Ryan Papenhuyzen pens one-year extension with Storm
The uncertainty around Fa'alogo comes after Papenhuyzen spurned reported interest from the Bulldogs and knocked back a return home to Sydney, to commit his short-term future to Melbourne. Papenhuyzen and his girlfriend both have family in Sydney and a move north is an enticing prospect but the 2020 Clive Churchill Medallist says he has unfinished business in Melbourne and is desperate to win another premiership.
"I feel like we're building something special here and I have a real drive to see that through," Papenhuyzen said in a statement on Thursday. "We've had the core group of our squad together for a while and played a lot of footy alongside each other. To stay in Melbourne and hopefully enjoy success together is something that motivates me."
Papenhuyzen could find himself in the same position in 12 months when he will again hit the open market unless he signs another extension with Melbourne. But the 26-year-old says his health and getting his body right is a key priority after finally enjoying some luck in 2024, following three-injury ravaged seasons that saw him limited to just 30 appearances.
