Ryan Papenhuyzen hurt as second-string Storm fall to Cowboys in try-fest

Ryan Papenhuyzen was an early casualty as North Queensland’s scrappy defeat of a patchwork Melbourne went closer to locking in a Townsville start to their NRL finals campaign.

The Cowboys prevailed 38-30 in an 11-try affair at home on Thursday, victory in the penultimate regular-season round pushing them three points clear of seventh-placed Manly ahead of the Sea Eagles’ clash with Canterbury on Friday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen injured in loss to Cowboys.

The Storm made 11 changes to the side that wrapped up the minor premiership last week but kept big guns Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster in the line-up.

Papenhuyzen lasted just 14 minutes, though, with the injury-plagued fullback grabbing at his lower leg after returning a ball from the in-goal area.

He didn’t return but the club waived away fears of another serious injury, stating he had suffered a lower leg cork as he cut a relaxed figure on the sideline.

After the match Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was optimistic Papenhuyzen’s latest injury concern wasn’t serious but will be holding his breath until the Storm fullback has scans.

The 26-year-old has endured a horror stretch of serious injuries that began with a 2021 concussion and was followed by a hamstring tear, fractured kneecap and fractured ankle.

“Not quite sure, but medical staff don’t seem to think it’s too bad,” Bellamy said.

“Don’t know whether it’s a cork or he’s done something to that (leg).

“We’ll see when he has a scan how bad it is, but they don’t think it’s too bad.”

Marion Seve (ankle) was another casualty in the first half after his leg was caught in a tackle as he unsuccessfully reached to score a try.

With the minor premiership secured and only a five-day break between games Bellamy rested 11 players for the trip north.

They still pushed the Cowboys, versatile back Tyran Wishart arguably the best on ground as he caused havoc from dummy half.

Wishart launched an early 40-20 and scored twice to underline his value in the Storm’s premiership charge and make it difficult to tell what his best position was.

“Good question,” Bellamy said.

“He can play basically anywhere and he’s proven that. Mainly he sees himself in the halves or fullback.

“He’s just so valuable ... and to play like he did tonight, most of it at dummy half, goes to show what type of player he is.

“He always does the right thing by the team, fits to what the plan is.”

Bellamy confirmed he would pick his strongest team for the final-round clash against Brisbane, who need to win both their remaining games to be any chance of finishing in the top eight.