'Never expect that': Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen breaks record in 64-0 win over Tigers
Ryan Papenhuyzen returned to AAMI Park with a statement to make as he produced a 36-point masterclass in Melbourne's damaging victory over the Wests Tigers.
The fullback proved to be an unstoppable force for the Tigers as he darted over for four tries and nailed nine conversions to set a new club and modern era record.
Papenhuyzen's individual brilliance in Melbourne sees him surpass Matt Geyer as the player to score the most amounts of points in a singular game for the club.
FOLLOW LIVE: NRL Round 10 Sunday
READ MORE: Perth product crowned as third-ever Aussie champion
READ MORE: Eagles star likely to face sanction after jumper punch
Geyer achieved the feat in 1999 when the Storm faced the Wests Magpies, where he recorded a total of 34 points.
Papenhuyzen's haul is also the highest recorded by a player in the modern era.
Ryan Papenhuyzen celebrates with Storm teammates after scoring a try against the Wests Tigers. Mike Owen via Getty Images
Though, the speedster's brilliance almost saw him reach 40 points in the match had his late try in the 78th minute not been denied by the Bunker.
"It was a [fun day out]," Papenhuyzen told Fox League post-match.
"I'm just cherry picking a lot of those tries. You never expect that in a game."
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
The 26-year-old ignited his side's electric 64-point thrashing with a 17-minute hat-trick to open the match against a hapless Tigers outfit.
His first came in the third minute as he managed to keep the ball alive with two perfectly weighted kicks to get his hands on the ball in the right corner.
Papenhuyzen then linked up with Xavier Coates to shift the ball down the line and create an overlap, with the latter returning the ball back to his fullback to score.
"He is moving beautifully ... absolutely flying Melbourne and so is their fullback," Michael Ennis said on Fox League.
Ryan Papenhuyzen of the Storm celebrates after scoring a try. Mike Owen via Getty Images
Having converted just one of his try-scoring efforts, Papenhuyzen extended the lead to 16-points as he received a slick pass from a short goal-line dropout and exploded through a gap in the Tigers defence to score.
Josh King, Jahrome Hughes and Nick Meany joined in on the scoring to close out the first half with a 34-point lead.
Papenhuyzen's brilliance was far from over, returning in the fifth minute of the second half to fire over for his fourth of the match.
"He's having an afternoon," Ennis said.
Converting the efforts of later tries to Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Eliesa Katoa and Cameron Munster, the Storm certainly proved why they are always going to put themselves in the fight for the premiership.
