Papenhuyzen: 'The common goal is just to get back out there and play footy again'

After a year notorious for its season-ending injuries, the latest episode of Melbourne Storm’s documentary series, Melbourne Made, follows the Clubs rehab group as they work toward their comeback.

Each suffering debilitating tears and breaks, Ryan Papenhuyzen, George Jennings and Christian Welch open up about their journey back on the NRL field.  

Jennings and the then-newly appointed Captain both went down in Round 1 of the 2022 season - the winger facing an ACL injury and the forward tearing his Achilles.  
Later in the year Papenhuyzen went down twice, returning from a hamstring tear in Round 10 only to end his season with a fractured kneecap in Round 18.  

Committing to lengthy preparation during pre-season, the injuries were not only tough physically, but also mentally. Exclusion from the playing group, unable to play rugby league, and, in some cases, unable to care for themselves saw Storm’s ‘Rehab Group’ lean on each other throughout to get through.  

“You put a lot of work in in pre-season, and it’s pretty tough on the body to do that, then you’re racing the clock to play another game all year. It’s a bit rough.” Welch shares in Melbourne Made, episode seven.  

“The common goal is just to get back out there and play footy again.” Papenhuyzen says of the group’s mentality.  

You ride the wave and if one’s down you lift them up and vice versa. It’s a good group to be a part of but we’re in here a lot more often than people think,  

“We try to lift the vibe up every now and then and try to make it enjoyable because it gets pretty tough at times knowing you’re not playing and not involved within the team.  

“[Christian Welch] was one of the first people that reached out. Straight away he was giving me tips on what I need to do and just letting me know he was there for me... I’m pretty lucky that he helped me out.” Jennings recounts. 

Inspiringly, each player worked hard to maintain a positive mindset and remain grateful. The trio remained acutely aware of the privilege to rest and recover as elite athletes, but still admit the difficulties and how they turned it into motivation.  

“My family were pretty supportive, they helped a lot, and I was pretty grateful for them helping me through those tough times.” Jennings said.  

“I know I've got a lot better than a lot of people in society. I still get paid every month and I don't have to work, but yeah, it was pretty tough.” Welch admitted following his injury.  

If they ever wanted to hear from me in the playing group...don’t take for granted playing in the NRL and playing at Storm because it’s such an amazing experience.

“If I can put smile on my face, work hard and try to get back, then hopefully I can inspire someone else or someone going through a similar situation.” The fullback said of his recovery headspace.  

“That’s where a lot of motivation is driven from...and to prove to the people that I love that it’s possible and that I still want to do this.”  

Fortunately, they will see the fruits of their labours as all three look set to return to the first-grade field in 2023.  

Watch Melbourne Made, Episode 7 – out now.