- Ryan Papenhuyzen eyeing off a return to footy
Former NRL star Ryan Papenhuyzen has revealed he is considering a return to footy – but fans shouldn’t get too excited.
Papenhuyzen, 27, stunned fans when he walked away from the sport last October, prioritising his long-term health following a number of serious head knocks and injury setbacks.
The premiership-winner and 2020 Clive Churchill medallist has since turned his attention to golf, working as a caddie for Aussie star Daniel Gale, who plays on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia as well as the DP World Tour’s second-tier.
Speaking on the One Six Seven podcast with former Melbourne Storm teammates Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, ‘Paps’ confirmed he may again lace his boots.
‘I think touch (footy), definitely,’ Papenhuyzen said.
‘In terms of rugby league or rugby union… it doesn’t really interest me at the moment.
Former NRL star Ryan Papenhuyzen has revealed he is considering a return to footy – but not at the professional level
Speaking on the One Six Seven podcast with former Melbourne Storm teammates Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, ‘Paps’ confirmed he may again lace his boots
After retiring last October, the premiership-winner and 2020 Clive Churchill medallist has since turned his attention to golf, working as a caddie for Aussie star Daniel Gale
‘I’m sort of enjoying what I’m doing, but I could certainly see myself playing touch.
‘I’d love to play State Cup at the end of the year… that’s the main goal.’
Given Papenhuyzen is likely to travel globally with Gale, the ex-fullback did concede a return to the footy field ‘might just be a little bit tough’.
Papenhuyzen featured in the Pro-Am golf tournament at the LIV Adelaide event in February.
He will also look to enhance his caddie skills during a stint at the Tara Iti golf course in New Zealand.
Currently playing off a handicap of 11, Papenhuyzen doesn’t have a classic golf pedigree.
It is why Papenhuyzen often calls on his own experiences as a professional athlete when caddying to remove ‘imposter’ thoughts.
‘I think with all the experience I’ve learned through footy and being in a high-performance environment… and even just being around golfers and learning the mental side of it, I’ve got my own little touch on it,’ he said.
‘I’m aware I’m not the perfect caddie, but I’m me as a caddie and I think that’s valuable to some people.’
