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<\/p>\nRyan Papenhuyzen has opened up on his Storm exit \u2014 revealing the moment he knew he needed to step away from the game and quit rugby league.<\/p>\n
Following Melbourne\u2019s grand final defeat at the hands of the Storm it was announced Papenhuyzen had been granted an immediate release from his contract.<\/p>\n
Speculation was rife the talented fullback would make a move to R360, with the 27-year-old making it clear he was taking a year off from the sport.<\/p>\n
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Watch the 2026 NRL Preason series plus the All-Star matches LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking on the 167 podcast, a podcast he runs alongside former teammates Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster, Papenhuyzen opened up to clear the air.<\/p>\n \u201cI will set the record straight… I don\u2019t even know where to start, but I\u2019ll start from the Brisbane game in the last round,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cSo that game, pretty much I had that head knock in the last minutes and obviously went off the field and was in the sheds, pretty emotional … I was rattled. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever really cried in front of you boys, but I was in the sheds trying to hide it.<\/p>\n \u201cIn that moment it was kind of like, what am I doing? At what cost do you play footy for? I just had one of those moments, it was fleeting and over the weekend, I processed it.<\/p>\n Ryan Papenhuyzen opens up on the decision.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n \u201cThat was the catalyst for the conversations that went in place for the next few weeks. The plan was always, after that, whatever happens I\u2019m having a year off.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was always a bit of me that thought if we lose, I\u2019d want to come back and play again and if we won, it would be good to just go off and do it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt didn\u2019t change my feeling of it at all. I\u2019ve done all I can, I\u2019ve tried hard and put in everything I can … if I keep playing this game, at what cost?\u201d<\/p>\n In a shock reveal, Papenhuyzen also explained he believes he is now retired from rugby league.<\/p>\n While he acknowledged a potential move to rugby union was on the cards, it was his head knock against the Broncos that changed his thinking.<\/p>\n Instead, Papenhuyzen is tackling new challenges outside of football, despite it being \u201chard to leave that environment\u201d and the money that comes with it.<\/p>\n ‘He’s in good shape for how old he is’ | 10:50<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n EVERY CLUB\u2019S CEILING\/FLOOR: Eels, Tigers\u2019 huge rise; Broncos\u2019 hangover risk<\/a><\/p>\n EVERY CLUB\u2019S BEST 17: Broncos halves call leaves casualty; Roosters DCE dilemma<\/a><\/p>\n