Reports In the event that the Bulldogs fire Josh Addo-Carr, Ryan Papenhuyzen’s November 1st release date may allow them to make a move for the Storm fullback. In the aftermath of a recent drug-driving incident, the Bulldogs have sent the under-fire winger a show-cause notice, and Addo-Carr will appear before the Canterbury board on Thursday to defend his continued employment.
Last month, Addo-Carr was given a $15,000 fine and a four-game NRL ban after being stopped by NSW Police and testing positive for cocaine while driving. Additionally, he was disqualified from Canterbury’s elimination match against Manly, but he has continuously insisted on his innocence even after two different tests revealed positive cocaine results in his system.
After meeting with the Bulldogs board this week, Addo-Carr is expected to be fired, which would release approximately $500,000 from the club’s pay cap. If so, the Dogs would undoubtedly be persuaded to look into the possibility of signing Melbourne fullback sensation Papenhuyzen, who has apparently only received an extension offer from the Storm worth about $750,000 annually.
With endorsements included, the fullback’s current contract is estimated to be worth $1.1 million for 2025. However, Danny Weidler of the Sydney Morning Herald revealed over the weekend that the Storm are eager to make room in their pay limit and can only afford to offer him a base contract starting in 2026 that would be worth about $750,000 per season, if he wishes to prolong.
The extremely marketable fullback, who was born in Sydney, is anticipated to be able to earn up to an extra $200,000 in endorsement deals in addition to the $750,000 annual contract that Melbourne is offering him. The apparent attempt to test his worth on the free market, however, was made because Papenhuyzen is aware that competing teams would likely be willing to offer him more than $1 million per season.
Papenhuyzen’s terrible injury record, which includes serious fractures to his right ankle and knee and caused him to miss most of the 2023 season, is likely a contributing factor in Melbourne’s hesitancy to offer him a better contract. The Storm have a ready-made substitute at No. 1 in the form of electric teenager Sua Fa’alogo, who also allegedly played in last year’s NRL grand final despite having an ankle fracture.
It is known that if Papenhuyzen decides to extend his contract with the Storm, Fa’alogo may be free to look for options elsewhere. League reporter Michael Chammas recently reported Triple M radio that Storm chairman Matt Tripp had a verbal agreement with Sua Fa’alogo’s manager Liam Ayoub that they would re-examine Ryan Papenhuyzen’s contract if he wanted to prolong his stay. Although there are clubs interested in Sua Fa’alogo, it will ultimately depend on if Melbourne keeps their word because that is not a written stipulation in his contract.
The SMH claims that the Bulldogs are among the interested parties and that Connor Tracey, who had an incredible 2024 season at fullback, would switch to the wing in exchange for Papenhuyzen. In case the team decides to let go of Aldo-Carr, the Dogs have also acquired Marcelo Montoya from the Warriors as a possible replacement.
After coach Shane Flanagan recently acknowledged that they were keeping an eye on Clint Gutherson’s circumstances after the Parramatta captain was informed he may look for possibilities elsewhere, the Dragons would probably be another team vying for Papenhuyzen’s services. The 30-year-old Gutherson, who struggled with his own injury issues in 2024, would be replaced by Papenhuyzen.