Ryan Papenhuyzen cops telling blow from Storm fans as Eels circle Sua Fa'alogo dilemma

Yahoo Sports Australia readers believe the Melbourne Storm should prioritise keeping Sua Fa'alogo over Ryan Papenhuyzen as Clint Gutherson's sudden news leaves Parramatta as favourites to poach a wantaway fullback. NRL fans have been debating who the Storm should priorities for the future with fullback Papenhuyzen set to take a pay cut from $950,000 to $750,000 per season if he wants to stay under Craig Bellamy's tenure.

The Storm's reported offer is less than the $1 million a year deal that was initially speculated. This move has come as a shock to fans with Papenhuyzen appearing likely to enter negotiations with other clubs with no deal announced ahead of 1 November. If Papenhuyzen was to re-sign for the Storm this would throw Fa'alogo's future in doubt with the 21-year-old signing a five-year deal with Melbourne.

Reports suggest Fa'alogo has a handshake agreement with the club he could listen to rival offers if Papenhuyzen is confirmed as the long-term fullback. And the market took a twist on Wednesday night after The Daily Telegraph reported the Eels have decided to release Gutherson from the final year of his contract.

Gutherson's future was discussed at a board meeting on Wednesday night and the official announcement of his release is expected to happen in the coming days. Most expect Gutherson to immediately join the Dragons having been linked with the club for weeks.

Ben Hunt's departure also opens up a mini war chest for coach Shane Flanagan and the besieged club. Although the Eels will now have plenty to work with as Gutherson is on around $850,000 and his departure leaves the Eels with plenty of money to chase Papenhuyzen.

If Papenhuyzen re-signs, the Eels could entice Fa'alogo to leave the Storm with a boosted deal. The Yahoo Sports Australia poll suggests fans believe the club should focus on retaining exciting youngster Fa'alogo over Papenhuyzen. Although the result is close.

Many could feel Fa'alogo has proven his worth when filling in at fullback when Papenhuyzen has been out injured. The Eels could be desperate to sign either fullback from the Storm considering they are losing their captain and No.1 Gutherson .New coach Jason Ryles would welcome the signing of a superstar fullback as he looks to reshape the Eels squad who missed out on the top eight again.

While fans are speculating where Papenhuyzen could end up in 2026 if he doesn't take up the Storm's offer, the Roosters could also be in the hunt for a wantaway fullback with James Tedesco's current contract coming to an end. Papenhuyzen would fit the mould and could look for a move back to Sydney.

Roosters could make a play for Ryan Papenhuyzen

Papenhuyzen's potentiual exit potential exit would excite many clubs looking to lock down a long-term fullback. The 26-year-old returned from injury in 2024 and proved to be back to his scintillating best. And the Sydney Roosters could use the space in their salary cap to chase Papenhuyzen as a succession plan for captain James Tedesco. The Roosters fullback is contracted until the end of next season but has not yet officially signed an extension with the club, meaning he will hit the NRL open market on November 1.

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In many ways a move for the Sydney-born Papenhuyzen would make a lot of sense, with Tedesco's current deal running out at the end of 2025 and the skipper reportedly looking at a $1.1 million extension. The Roosters could potentially get Papenhuyzen for significantly less than Tedesco - unless the skipper decides to extend on less money - and the 26-year-old would be an investment in the future and the type of player the club can build its team around.