The Canterbury Bulldogs are emerging as strong contenders to sign Ryan Papenhuyzen, with reports indicating that the club has reached an agreement with the star fullback. According to industry sources, the Bulldogs have $1.6 million in salary cap space available, putting them in a position to offer a deal that could significantly surpass the Melbourne Storm’s current contract offer.
Papenhuyzen, 26, has yet to make a definitive exit from the Storm despite negotiations over a new deal. The fullback’s current situation sees Melbourne offering him a reduced contract, dropping from his previous deal of $950,000 to a significantly lower $750,000 per season. This offer has left Papenhuyzen weighing his options, and with the fullback now free to negotiate with other clubs, several NRL teams have emerged as potential suitors.
Among the clubs reportedly in the race for Papenhuyzen are the Dragons, Bulldogs, and Eels, with all three teams believed to be willing to offer a deal close to $1 million per season. However, the Bulldogs are now considered the front-runners, with reports from journalist Brent Read confirming that an agreement has already been reached between the two parties.
The Bulldogs’ ample salary cap space, estimated at $1.6 million, allows them to put forward an offer that could blow Melbourne’s reduced offer out of the water. This significant financial flexibility positions Canterbury as a major player in securing Papenhuyzen’s signature, potentially disrupting Melbourne’s plans to keep their star fullback in the fold.
The news comes as Melbourne Storm were hoping to maintain the spine of their team, including Papenhuyzen, Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes, and Cameron Munster, but with the current contract offer falling short, Papenhuyzen may be lured away by the Bulldogs’ attractive deal.
As the situation develops, the NRL community will be keeping a close eye on whether Papenhuyzen’s future remains in Melbourne or if he takes up an exciting new chapter with the Bulldogs.
