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NRL 2026 Four Point Focus: How Will The Storm Attack Without Papenhuyzen?
Ryan Papenhuyzen's speed has been a key feature of the Melbourne Storm attack in recent NRL seasons. How will they adapt without him?
Jason Oliver
February 04, 2026
The Four Point Focus breaks down a try from every round of the 2025 NRL season, highlighting the context, shape, trigger and the lessons learned. It’s viewed with an eye on 2026 as we look for trends, breakout players and hints of what might be to come next season.
This is an off-season series for Premium subscribers who choose to support my work over the break.
Previous:
- Quick Taps On The Up?
- Ponga Guiding The Knights Attack (free)
- Defending Katoa's Deception (free)
- How Souths Use Keaon Koloamatangi On The Line
- The Triangle Leading To Cleary's Curling Grubber
- How The Roosters Exploit Kick Pressure From Marker (free)
- Scrum Play Double Bluff
- How Cleary Recreated That Grand Final Try (free)
- Breaking Down A Raiders Tap Start
- Payne Passing Through The Middle
- Dolphins Breaking Down Spacings On The Goal Line
Point 1 - The Context
As we entered Round 13 of the 2025 NRL season, and Ryan Papenhuyzen was in the conversation to play State of Origin.
“I expect to see Edwards at the back, but as a neutral, I hope to see Papenhuyzen.” - Teddy v Papenhuyzen For Blues #1?
He’s back to playing his best footy, and while not running at the blistering speed we’d seen in the past, Papenuyzen was still among the quickest players in the competition. His ability to play at speed is what separated him from the other rapid runners in the NRL.
Against the Gold Coast Titans we saw him use his speed to get on the outside of his man as you’d expect, before managing to sum up the defenders crowding in on him and throw the try assist.
Point 2 - The Shape
It’s similar to what we covered earlier in the week with how the Dolphins moved the ball from an almost-identical field position. They’re seeing the opposite backrower inside the posts, make a long pass from dummy half with a wide lead runner inside the four-man, with Jahrome Hughes able to put Ryan Papenhuyzen outside the three man.
We’ve seen the Melbourne Storm run this shift time and time again over the years. They effectively use Papenhuyzen’s speed and his ability to maintain it while making passes to send wingers down the sideline.
Forgive the plug to a story on NRL.com in 2024, but he steadily developed from speedy support player through the middle to rapid ball player on the edge throughout the year.
Papenhuyzen is averaging a career-high 43.4 touches per game and passing the ball more than he ever has. Where he averaged a career-high 11.2 supports in 2020, that number has steadily dropped to the 4.9 supports per game it currently is through seven games in 2024. He’s involving himself more as a ball player across the field to pop up in these spots more often.
So when looking at this try, I couldn’t help but think how the Storm will adjust their attack with Papenhuyzen no longer there.
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