Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy expressed his disappointment over a missed scoring opportunity by fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, which occurred in the early stages of their recent match against the Eels. During the 16th minute, Papenhuyzen found himself in a prime position, breaking through the Eels’ defence and setting up a two-on-one scenario with teammate Cameron Munster. However, rather than passing to Munster for what seemed like a sure try, he opted to attempt a solo run, only to be tackled by Isaiah Iongi, leaving Munster visibly frustrated.
Commenting on the blunder, former Storm star Billy Slater lamented the missed chance, suggesting Papenhuyzen “owes him money” for the try. Analyst Phil Gould also highlighted its significance, describing it as a straightforward six-pointer that was uncharacteristic of the Storm’s usual precision. Fortunately for the Storm, the team dominated the match, heading to halftime with a commanding 46-6 lead.
Post-game, Papenhuyzen playfully explained his decision, indicating that the team was engaging in a ‘try tally’ and jokingly stated that Munster needed to “try harder” for that score. This callous choice puzzled Bellamy, who shrugged it off with a smile. He also commented on the unusual nature of the mistake, noting that it is more typical for Munster to take such risks rather than Papenhuyzen. The coach expressed hope that such mishaps wouldn’t recur in future matches.