Ryan Papenhuyzen might already be a Clive Churchill Medallist, but his game has taken a big step forward over the off-season, according to rugby league legend Peter Sterling.
Having established himself as one of the stars of the competition in 2020, the 22-year-old was a stand-out in the defending premiers' 26-18 win over Souths in the season-opener at AAMI Park.
Papenhuyzen scored two tries himself, and had a hand in another, in a performance that caught the eye of Sterling.
Of particular note was the pass that resulted in Justin Olam scoring under the posts. With the Storm having made a 70-metre break on the previous play, Jahrome Hughes played the ball in centre field. The ball went to Papenhuyzen, and with the Souths left-side defence stretched, many would have thrown a long-ball to the Storm outside backs.
Instead, Papenhuyzen turned the ball back inside for Olam, who went over virtually untouched beside the posts.
"The pass after the long break is on on the outside, but he recognises that Justin Olam is on the inside, and that was the better option," Sterling said on Wide World of Sports' Sterlo's Wrap.
"It was the more dangerous option, but he made it look easy, and the try was scored.
"What that did, it turned a four-pointer into a definite six-pointer. Now later on in the contest, that could have proved very vital. It was heady play."
Noted for his pace, Papenhuyzen used it to his advantage for the first of his two tries against Souths, allowing him to create space where none apparently existed.
Having put Kenny Bromwich into space, Papenhuyzen backed up on the inside to complete the play.
"His speed here spooks Adam Reynolds," Sterling explained.
"It's four-on-four, but the speed of Papenhuyzen means that Adam Reynolds doesn't trust his inside defender, so he actually comes in.
"Ryan Papenhuyzen with his ball playing and his speed, turned a four-on-four into a gap for Kenny Bromwich, and he backed up to score the try himself."
Papenhuyzen was part of the New South Wales squad for last year's State of Origin series, but a calf injury ruled him out of game one, while Blues coach Brad Fittler opted for an all-forward bench in games two and three.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has compared the 22-year-old's work ethic to that of club greats Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, with Bellamy highlighting Papenhuyzen's commitment to goal-kicking practice in the off-season, having inherited the role from the recently retired Smith.
Sterling noted that the fullback's improved passing game made him one of the most dangerous players in the game.
"We know about the explosive speed of Papenhuyzen, he scored a 70 metre try in last year's grand final from a scrum win, but his ball playing is starting to come along very nicely, and his awareness as to where the best pass is (is) also a part of that."
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