Ryan Papenhuyzen in bombshell reveal about NRL future amid girlfriend's telling new move

Ryan Papenhuyzen has delivered some bad news to rival NRL teams, revealing he's not motivated by money and only wants to win premierships. Speculation is rife around where the star fullback will play in 2026, with the Bulldogs believed to be making a massive play to snare him and reportedly have a $1.6 million 'war chest' to play with.

Papenhuyzen has been the Melbourne Storm's fullback since 2019 and helped them win the premiership in 2020. But the 26-year-old has been asked to take a significant pay-cut to stay in Melbourne, with the Storm offering an extension worth $750,000 per season - down from the $950,000 he's currently earning.

The Storm are wary about blocking the path of exciting youngster Sua Fa'alogo, who is believed to be considering leaving the club if he doesn't get more playing time. They're happy for Papenhuyzen to test his value on the open market, and it's believed the Bulldogs are having a red-hot crack.

Ryan Papenhuyzen hints he wants to stay at Melbourne Storm

But discussing the situation on Triple M radio on Tuesday, Papenhuyzen revealed he doesn't care about the money and suggested he'd be happy to take the pay-cut if it means winning. "I’ve still got a year left in Melbourne, so I’m not going anywhere," he said on Triple M’s 'Rush Hour with JB & Billy'.

"But as of a year left on your contract, you can start negotiating with other clubs, so there’s a bit of speculation purely based on the fact that I haven’t signed anything with the Storm yet. It’s hard to avoid the stuff going around on social media. I haven’t made a decision yet.

"There’s a lot of narrative around it being money, which is quite easy to speculate about, but that’s something I’ve been really strong on the whole time it’s not money. I want to win premierships. I know my career has only got so long in it. I’ve got a growth mindset. Melbourne definitely do have that, for sure."

While the Bulldogs surged into the top-eight last year, the Storm would still seemingly present Papenhuyzen with a better opportunity to win premierships. Tellingly, Papenhuyzen said he wants to see which players the Storm recruit before making his decision.

"We’ve just had a couple of people leave lately, and I’m waiting to see who we can get in those positions to fill in," he said. "Definitely more than a thinking decision than money. I’ve never been off-contract, so it’s quite a new feeling. I think a decision will come before the season. I know the effect it has on your teammates by dragging it out.”

Girlfriend's telling move that she's missing Sydney?

Discussing the situation on SEN radio on Monday, Scott Sattler made mention of the fact Papenhuyzen's new girlfriend is from Sydney. Emma MacDonald moved down to Melbourne to be closer to Papenhuyzen earlier this year, but her social media activity seems to suggest she's homesick.

MacDonald's most recent Instagram post is a series of photos of friends, with the caption reading: "Just some people I love and miss" accompanied by a crying face emoji. One can assume the influencer is missing family and friends in Sydney, which might sway Papenhuyzen's decision.

Papenhuyzen is also originally from Sydney and played for the Wests Tigers in juniors before being poached by the Storm. "His new girlfriend is an influencer and she's a Sydney girl, so maybe he wants to bet back to Sydney," Sattler said. "Papy has become a bit of an influencer himself now hasn't he? It's very commercialised."

Mat Rogers thinks Ryan Papenhuyzen will stay in Melbourne

However co-host Mat Rogers reckons Papenhuyzen will remain at the Storm, pointing to the fact they've verbally agreed that Fa'alogo can explore his options if Papenhuyzen re-signs. "That makes me think Papy isn't going anywhere," Rogers said. "That tells me they're all in on Papy. Although the Bulldogs might come to the table with $1.1 million."

The Storm's reduced offer of $750,000 is believed to revolve around his injury history and their fear he might not be able to stay on the field. Papenhuyzen has suffered three leg fractures in the last three seasons, which has opened the door for Faalogo to get an opportunity.

But as Rogers pointed out, the time Papenhuyzen has missed might actually prolong his career. "you're not getting beat up and your body isn't getting knocked around as much," he said. Rogers also questioned whether the Bulldogs would be wise to move Connor Tracey away from fullback to get Papenhuyzen.

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Brandon Smith says Ryan Papenhuyzen not worth big money

Speaking last week, former Storm teammate Brandon Smith also suggested Melbourne were right to be worried about Papenhuyzen's injuries. “I don’t think they undervalued him,” Smith said on the 'Cheese and Jam' podcast with James Graham. “I think if you look back in the last three years, he’s played 15-odd games.

"I think that would have been a part of the decision-making process. We can’t continue to pay this guy $1.1m when he’s playing 30 per cent of the season. He’s small and he’s fragile.”