Melbourne chief reveals the inner details of Ryan Papenhuyzen's sudden Storm exit - as he makes telling claim about whether the star fullback could join breakaway R360 league

Melbourne boss Justin Rodski believes Ryan Papenhuyzen ‘doesn’t know what he wants to do next’ after the Storm fullback shockingly revealed that he would be leaving the Victorian outfit on Thursday.

Star fullback Papenhuyzen, 27, was granted a release with one year remaining on his contract following a reported meeting with chairman Matt Tripp on Wednesday night.

The footy star has been heavily linked with a cross-code switch to join the rebel R360 competition.

It comes as fears are emerging the mega-money rugby union franchise, which is being bankrolled by investors from the US and UK, could poach several of the NRL’s biggest stars.

Melbourne chief executive Rodski has explained that Papenhuyzen is not guaranteed to join the breakaway competition, adding that the 27-year-old is taking a break from sport altogether.

‘It started to emerge that perhaps Ryan was looking to take some time out from the game and professional sport so we worked closely with him on that over that period of time,’ he told SEN on Thursday.

Rodski added: ‘I actually don't think he knows [where he's going next].'

Papenhuyzen, who was born in New South Wales and played for both the Balmain Tigers and Wests Tigers U20 before signing for Melbourne in 2019.

He’d go on to score 77 tries across 113 appearances for the Victorian outfit, helping the side win the premiership in 2020, also winning the Clive Churchill Medal that year.

Papenhuyzen has jetted off to Japan to enjoy a holiday after the Storm's NRL Grand Final defeat by the Brisbane Broncos.  

'In the end, he came to the decision that his preference would be to seek a release from the club so he could take some time away from the game and professional sport and have a think about what he wants to do, not just sport but life,’ Rodski said.

'Ryan's someone that thinks a lot about the game and a lot about life and one of those people that sport, or the professional side of being an athlete, while that's important to him, it's not everything to his life and he wanted time to think about that.’

Papenhuyzen was contracted until the end of the 2026 season and had a mutual arrangement in his Storm agreement that would have allowed him to stay at the club until 2027. That clause needed to be activated by November 1.

'I've loved my time at the Melbourne Storm,' Papenhuyzen said in a statement.

'I've enjoyed close to a decade of incredible memories and experiences in the purple jersey. Playing in front of the Storm fans every week has made my time in Melbourne something I'll never forget.

'I want to thank the club for their understanding and support throughout this process.

'I also want to thank my teammates, coaches and staff for all their love and support.

'It's been a privilege playing footy and working with you.'

Tripp conceded Papenhuyzen won't be easy to replace.

'Ryan has shown great character and resilience throughout his time at our club, and we've loved watching him develop into the player and person that he is today,' he said.

'We're obviously disappointed that his time at Storm has come to an end, but we respect his decision to take some time away from professional sport.

'We thank Ryan for his enormous contribution to our club. He departs Storm as a premiership player and Clive Churchill Medallist with 113 games to his name.

'We wish Ryan the very best for the next chapter in his life and career.'

It comes after Storm star Cameron Munster recently pledged to see out the final two years of his contract with the club, amid rumblings that he could be poached by new NRL club, the Perth Bears.

His exit opens up a spot for rising 22-year-old fullback Sualauvi Faalogo to cement the Storm No 1 shirt next season.