Ryan Papenhuyzen in Bulldogs dilemma as girlfriend's move to Melbourne raises fresh doubt

Ryan Papenhuyzen is reportedly attracting real interest from the Canterbury Bulldogs with the fullback facing a huge decision on his future. Papenhuyzen stunned NRL fans when he opted not to announce a new deal with the Melbourne Storm after a lower than expected offer from the club.

The 26-year-old would have to accept a smaller contract if he was going to stay in Melbourne with his new deal dropping from $950,000 to $750,000 per season. Papenhuyzen is now able to negotiate with other clubs with reports the fullback could potentially attract $1 million a season from the Dragons, Bulldogs and Eels.

This surprised former teammate, and current Roosters No.9, Brandon Smith who claimed the Storm didn't undervalue the fullback because of his injury record. Speaking on Triple M Radio, reporter Brent Read was complimentary of Smith's honest take of the situation. But also confirmed there are teams interested in signing the fullback with the Bulldogs emerging as a strong favourite.

"Brandon Smith is saying what a lot of people are thinking," Read said on Footy Talk podcast. "Because Melbourne have offered him a reduced deal. He earns a lot of money in third-parties down in Melbourne, which you would assume would travel with him.

"The Bulldogs are the ones I keep hearing with Papenhuyzen that they're having a red hot go at him. I haven't been able to firm it up yet, that's been doing the rounds strongly for a few weeks now.

"I think Melbourne is still confident they will keep him, but I think they have done the right thing. They are juggling the salary cap down there, they have Sua Fa'alogo waiting. If Papenhuyzen stays, Fa'alogo could potentially leave, so I understand why they have done it...but I would love to him stay."

Read added the fullback could seek more money if he offered to other clubs but asked: "Is $1 million for Papenhuyzen a risk now given what he has been through? I sort of agree with Melbourne."

Sua Fa'alogo or Ryan Papenhuyzen for the Storm?

Young Melbourne talent Fa'alogo is touted by many as the future No.1 for the Storm. The 21-year-old has played sparingly for the Storm when Papenhuyzen has been injured and has impressed everyone at the club.

And the youngster reportedly has an agreement with the club he can leave if Papenhuyzen extends his stay as the main fullback. Earlier this year, Fa'alogo signed an extension with the Storm until the end of 2028. But reporter Michael Chammas claims the Storm have a verbal agreement with him that if they re-sign Papenhuyzen he can seek a deal elsewhere.

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"Matt Tripp, the Storm chairman, has a verbal undertaking with Sua Fa’alogo’s manager Liam Ayoub that if Ryan Papenhuyzen wants to extend his time, they will sit back down and look at his contract," Chammas told Triple M radio recently. "Now, that is not a clause in his contract; it’s not in writing, so it will come down to whether Melbourne keep their word, but there are clubs circling Sua Fa'alogo."

Ryan Papenhuyzen partner moves to Melbourne

One of the dilemmas Papenhuyzen would be weighing-up is his off-field life. Papenhuyzen has recently gone public with his relationship to Emma MacDonald. And a move for the 26-year-old to Sydney would spark another upheaval for girlfriend MacDonald.

Papenhuyzen and MacDonald started dating earlier this year, and she recently moved from Sydney to Melbourne to be closer to the Storm superstar. MacDonald attended a Storm game towards the end of the season.

"I'm moving out of home for the first time ever," the influencer told her followers earlier this year. "I'm getting a little apartment in Melbourne and it's going to be such an exciting new chapter. My boyfriend is actually the reason why I'm moving. I'm moving in by myself but I'm moving to be closer to him."