@Geo said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1014909) said:
**Melbourne Storm young gun Scott Drinkwater to explore free agency, as Ryan Papenhuyzen’s stocks rise**
Gilbert Gardiner, Herald Sun
May 17, 2019 4:44pm
Subscriber only
Storm excitement machine Scott Drinkwater will test free agency, having opted out of a player option for next season.
The prized 22 year-old is destined to land at a Sydney-based NRL club, as opportunities in Melbourne dry up with the emergence of Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Papenhuyzen, who lit up last Thursday night to help Storm secure a 24-22 win over Wests Tigers, went into the season as the No. 3 fullback behind Jahrome Hughes and Drinkwater.
Storm wants to retain all three but accepts a starting job would entice Drinkwater to join a club without an established fullback.
Drinkwater has served a four-year apprenticeship under Billy Slater, culminating in a dazzling Round 25 debut last year.
The Terrigal junior came close to winning the plum job — in a hotly-contested pre-season shootout with Hughes — but tore a pectoral muscle before Round 1.
Hughes is likely to reclaim the No. 1 jersey for Sunday’s clash with the Bulldogs despite Papenhuyzen’s standout performance.
Papenhuyzen accumulated 241m against the Tigers, including eight tackle busts, two line breaks and an 80m try.
“If you watch the video back I had a big grin on my face,” Papenhuyzen said.
“You never really expect that … fortunately for me (Robbie) Farah slipped and the gap opened.
“It goes to show if you put your hands on the footy you never know what’s going to happen.”
Papenhuyzen said Storm targeted Tigers fullback Moses Mbye after watching vision during the week.
“He usually chases the kicks so we knew that he wouldn’t be there for play one and two,” Papenhuyzen said.
“We had it written down to play eyes up … also when he makes those tackles, the first two tackles, he doesn’t really face the line … wanted to play smart around that.”
Papenhuyzen starred in a 30-minute cameo last week after Hughes got knocked out.
He repeated the dose last Thursday night to put pressure on Bellamy at selection.
But Papenhuyzen has refused to buy into the prospect of losing out despite two strong outings.
“If Hughesy gets the spot next week, he gets the spot,” Papenhuyzen said.
“I’m just happy to be in the side, anywhere.
“He’s playing good footy, unfortunately had a concussion last week, I understand if he gets brought back into the side and I know I can do a job somewhere else in the side.”
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Drinkwater is the bloke we want..
Hmmm nice problem to have! Don't know if we'd look at Drinkwater or not, but I know we are trying to get DWZ. I have a feeling that Madge is not yet sold on Mbye as a fullback and we need some speed. DWZ wants to play fullback and I reckon we could accomodate him, whereas Parra just re-signed Gutho so he won't be getting the No 1 jersey there now.
Not sure about Nth Qld, they have Kahu going alright at the back for now, but DWZ would have to want to make the move up there, whereas with us or Parra he can stay in western Sydney, so it would make his decision a bit harder imo.
I honestly hope we can somehow snag him, always rated him. It felt like we got second best when we signed Malakai - though he always gave us his best on the field, Dallin is a far superior talent.