Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen has given a horrific account of the moments that followed his broken ankle, describing it as the worst pain he's ever felt.
After spending over a year out of the game after shattering his kneecap last year, Papenhuyzen's long-awaited NRL return was ruined just three games in.
The 25-year-old's fairytale came to a crashing end when he fell awkwardly under teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona during the Storm's qualifying final loss to the Broncos.
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Papenhuyzen admitted he is not willing to give up on his NRL career, but detailed just how much pain he was in, explaining that his boot had to be cut off after the injury.
"It was horrendous," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Worse than my knee (injury). I looked down and you can see me stick my hand up like a little kid in class. I was in shock.
"The pain and then seeing it, (I thought) 'It's probably not where it's meant to be'. The pain sent me into a spiral.
"I was thinking, 'My foot is still in a footy boot here, how am I going to get this shit out?' They ended up cutting my boot off. I was high (on painkillers) for the rest of that night. It was the most painful thing I've ever done."
Papenhuyzen admitted he struggled to come to terms with being sidelined again, particularly while the Storm were still active during the finals.
"I went into training one day and I thought I could do it, but I was just flat," Papenhuyzen said. "Seeing them being happy (was hard). Now I'm OK with it.
"But I've learnt over time to express how I'm feeling rather than hold it in and wait until the result's done. I need to express how I'm feeling to who I need to. I am struggling and this is really hard, but if you're more open, honest with that, it can lead you in the right direction. It's all a contributor.
"I'm sure I'll have dark days through this rehab, but I'm sure well-equipped to get through it."
While he's an outside chance of being right for the start of the 2024 season, the Storm star isn't prepared to put a timeline on his return.
"I'm not putting any limits on it and I've been wary not to ask anyone who has been through similar injuries when they started running," Papenhuyzen said.
"I just don't like having that idea. Milestones like running and change of direction, I just want to figure out by myself."
Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen has given a horrific account of the moments that followed his broken ankle, describing it as the worst pain he's ever felt.
After spending over a year out of the game after shattering his kneecap last year, Papenhuyzen's long-awaited NRL return was ruined just three games in.
The 25-year-old's fairytale came to a crashing end when he fell awkwardly under teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona during the Storm's qualifying final loss to the Broncos.
READ MORE: World Cup holders 'completely outplayed' as NZ gets revenge
READ MORE: Addo-Carr's Kangaroos spot in doubt over brawl video
READ MORE: Pangai Junior's parting swipe at NRL
Papenhuyzen admitted he is not willing to give up on his NRL career, but detailed just how much pain he was in, explaining that his boot had to be cut off after the injury.
"It was horrendous," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Worse than my knee (injury). I looked down and you can see me stick my hand up like a little kid in class. I was in shock.
"The pain and then seeing it, (I thought) 'It's probably not where it's meant to be'. The pain sent me into a spiral.
"I was thinking, 'My foot is still in a footy boot here, how am I going to get this shit out?' They ended up cutting my boot off. I was high (on painkillers) for the rest of that night. It was the most painful thing I've ever done."
Papenhuyzen admitted he struggled to come to terms with being sidelined again, particularly while the Storm were still active during the finals.
"I went into training one day and I thought I could do it, but I was just flat," Papenhuyzen said. "Seeing them being happy (was hard). Now I'm OK with it.
"But I've learnt over time to express how I'm feeling rather than hold it in and wait until the result's done. I need to express how I'm feeling to who I need to. I am struggling and this is really hard, but if you're more open, honest with that, it can lead you in the right direction. It's all a contributor.
"I'm sure I'll have dark days through this rehab, but I'm sure well-equipped to get through it."
While he's an outside chance of being right for the start of the 2024 season, the Storm star isn't prepared to put a timeline on his return.
"I'm not putting any limits on it and I've been wary not to ask anyone who has been through similar injuries when they started running," Papenhuyzen said.
"I just don't like having that idea. Milestones like running and change of direction, I just want to figure out by myself."
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