We'll take our learnings and come back stronger: Papenhuyzen

If you can't beat them, learn from them.

That's the mantra Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen will take into the off-season as he and his teammates look to rebound in 2025 after going down 14-6 6 to the Panthers.

Just being back on the grand final stage was an achievement in itself for Papenhuyzen after a horror injury toll threatened his career, but having come this far he is determined to use the pain of a defeat as a motivator.

“It would’ve been nice to have the whole fairytale win but some of the greatest things happen in your life when you have tough times, and this could be one of them," Papenhuyzen said.

“Just look at the possibilities for next year. We can reflect on this year and be really disappointed, but at the same time, we got ourselves in this position. So why not next year?

“You’ve got to take lessons from games. That was no different. It was a grind. It was arm-wrestling footy. 

“We love what Penrith do. We try to take some stuff from there to implement into our game, and I’m sure there’ll be things from this game we’ll look back on and put into our game for next year."

With the three clashes between the Storm and Panthers decided by eight points, two points and eight points, it's clear there is very little between the sides that have won six of the past eight premierships.

In such a tight contest there will always be ‘what if’ moments that will cause some sleepless nights over a gruelling off-season - what if Jack Howarth's try had been awarded, what if the Storm had prevented Liam Martin’s try just before half-time, what if Nelson Asofa-Solomona had been there?

“It’s hard to process right now, but I don’t think we were far off,” Papenhuyzen said. 

“Because we got so close, we could take confidence from that. 

“I don’t think too many of the boys are leaving. There’s still heaps sticking around, and we’ll see new additions. Hopefully we can get them in and use that hurt for next year.” 

Coming off contract at the end of 2025, Papenhuyzen couldn’t rule anything out in his long-term future but was clear about his desire to be a part of the Storm’s redemption next year. 

“I think it will be a really special team [next year]. I want to be here,” he said. 

“It’s more than money. It’s the experiences. It’s being in a good team, it’s being around blokes you trust, and Melbourne – the city – is great. 

“I’m still contracted for next year. So yeah, let’s see what happens.”