If there is one thing Ryan Papenhuyzen has proven in his short NRL career, it is that anyone on the Melbourne Storm's roster can rise into the first-grade side.
Via Roy Ward/SMH.
At the start of the 2019 NRL season, he was the Storm's third option at full-back with Scott Drinkwater (now at North Queensland) the first choice and Jahrome Hughes (now the Storm's half-back) next in line.
Fast forward to this Sunday and Papenhuyzen is not only one of the NRL's most damaging full-backs, he will captain the Storm for the final round clash with St George-Illawarra.
The Storm have made 12 changes to their side, opting to rest some battle-weary players and give a few of their "Renegades", or back-up, players a chance after a season spent preparing the first grade side but not playing themselves due to the reserve-grade competitions being cancelled.
Some critics have dubbed the side the Storm's thirds, but Papenhuyzen was quick to remind them many stars have come from those same spots.
"A lot of these boys are getting their chance because other boys are being rested," Papenhuyzen said on Wednesday.
"But if you put a few good games together you never know. If Craig [Bellamy] likes the way you play, he won't be afraid to put you in during a finals game.
