Ryan Papenhuyzen reportedly agrees one-year contract extension with Melbourne Storm

Ryan Papenhuyzen has reportedly agreed to stick with the Melbourne Storm — but the star fullback will only sign a one-year extension.

The 26-year-old, whose existing contract expires at the end of next season, had been offered close to $750,000 per year to stick with the Storm until the end of 2028.

That proposal is not expected to match what Canterbury and potentially Parramatta could put forward.

But another scenario has emerged with multiple reports indicating Papenhuyzen will ink a new deal with Melbourne for the 2026 season.

It leaves open the prospect of NSW clubs making another run at the premiership winner, whose partner and other family live in Sydney, at the end of next season ahead of the 2027 campaign.

The Storm will now be at risk of Samoan whiz kid Sua Fa’alogo requesting a release unless they can find an opportunity for the 21-year-old fullback, who is under contract until the end of 2028.

Papenhuyzen’s decision to re-sign with Melbourne comes just a day after he spoke of wanting to settle his future before the start of next season.

“I don’t think I will drag it into the season. I know the effect it has on your teammates dragging it out,” he told Triple M.

“I feel like I will come to a decision before games are played. But right now it is just sitting there weighing all options up.”

Papenhuyzen denied he is being driven by money, adamant his main concern is winning premierships and is looking for the right environment.

The fullback knows Melbourne already offers this but continues to watch with interest on several other moves at the Storm.

“There is a lot of narrative going around about it being based on money, which is quite easy to speculate about,” Papenhuyzen said.

“But that is something I have been strong on the whole time, it’s not about money. I want to win premierships.

“I know my career only has so long in it. You want to be in the best environment with a great mindset and good roster.

“Melbourne definitely do have that for sure, but we have had a couple of people leave lately that I am waiting to see who we can get in those positions to fill in.”

The No.1 was the Clive Churchill Medallist in Melbourne’s last grand final win in 2020, but has played only 50 games in the four years since then due to injuries.

- with AAP