REPORT: Storm Football Manager Shares Secret to Papenhuyzen’s Resurrection.

Frank Ponissi, the general manager of football for Storm, has supported Papenhuyzen through his brief career’s ups and downs, and he holds that opinion.

When Papenhuyzen left the field in August’s 32-22 victory against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium with a broken ankle, there were serious concerns for the 2020 premiership winner’s playing career.

As well as his physical rehabilitation, the 25-year-old has shown great resilience to return to his best this season, with his electrifying speed a feature of his stellar form.

He will be crucial to the Storm’s chances when they meet the Broncos on Thursday night at AAMI Park.

The fullback’s loss from the previous year wasn’t his first.

Papenhuyzen missed 11 games in 2021 due to issues from a concussion.

Before the accident in 2023, he missed over a year of play due to a shattered right kneecap the previous year.

“We never gave up on him. It was simply a matter of time until he could return to his peak performance, Ponissi told AAP.

“The fact that he completed it so quickly just makes me happy.

“It is unquestionably resilience, but Paps also possesses a mental toughness that is often overlooked.

“He had a serious concussion following the 2020 Grand Final, followed by injuries to his knee and ankle.

“Paps is a speed and glamour player, so that mental toughness doesn’t get linked with him. It’s all about what a showy guy he is.

“But he is incredibly mentally tough to do what he has done and come back like he is.”

Papenhuyzen’s fingerprints were all over the Storm’s 30-26 victory over the Warriors in the second round, according to Ponissi.

A few moments before, Papenhuyzen had blasted into a narrow gap with lightning speed, setting up the game-winning move by Xavier Coates in the corner.

“Quite correctly, Xavier Coates has been getting all the accolades for one of the greatest finishes anyone has seen in a long, long time,” Ponissi stated.

“However, if you analyze the game, Ryan was the reason we won with three minutes remaining when we were trailing by eight points.

“He scored the first try, and his pace really scared the crap out of the Warriors defense in the plays running up to the last try.

“With his try, Ryan moved us into position, and Xavier’s back-row actions furthered that position.

“Xavier deserved every credit he got but people lost sight of what Paps did to put Xavier in that remarkable position to score.”

GET RELATED CONTENTS ON: BLACKSPORTNEWS.CO.UK