Here's 36 reasons why Paps wouldn't be out of place in a Blues jersey

On a weekend that saw Latrell Mitchell pop a 50-metre field goal and save two tries, and Dylan Edwards run for 192 metres, Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen staked his own claim for Blues Origin selection with a first-half hat-trick and a record points haul.

Papenhuyzen's four tries and 10 goals gave him 36 of Melbourne's 64 points in a drubbing of Wests Tigers - breaking Matt Geyer’s previous record of 34 points set way back in 1999.

The 64-0 victory was the equal-highest winning margin in Melbourne Storm history. 

With Blues incumbent Edwards hitting top gear, evergreen Rooster James Tedesco in rare form, and Mitchell capable of anything on his day, the fullback position may have the most depth out of any in NSW at present. 

Papenhuyzen started his career as a utility player, however, and returning to a role from the bench or from dummy half for NSW is something that he would embrace. 

“I’d love a crack but there’s some other guys that are putting their hand up at the moment and playing some really good footy," Papenhuyzen said.

“I’m not expecting anything, just keep trying to play well here and if I come into the squad somewhere, that’s great. 

“We do what’s best for the state – if Laurie [Daley] thinks that’s me, then that’s great. 

“I’d play anywhere. The theme of the Blues is, if you put on the Blues jersey, you’re happy to play anywhere. 

“There’s times tonight when we are giving Bronson [Garlick] a breather, and I hop into dummy half for a bit. I guess, defensively, I’d just have to do a little bit more work.” 

Craig Bellamy endorsed him for the role if he was selected, but held back from advocating too strongly for his star man. 

“He’s never going to let anyone down, without doubt,” he said. 

“Usually these days, that fourth bench player can play dummy half and play probably in the halves a little bit as well. I think he could do that well if he had to. 

“If he did get picked, whatever role they would like him to play, he’s not going to let them down or let himself down.” 

The 26-year-old was selected for his first Origin series in 2020. He was forced to withdraw due to injury without taking the pitch – and it is injuries that have been a consistent theme in preventing him from recapturing that career-best form ever since. 

It seems this year that he may have found that form again. He has scored in all but one of the Storm’s nine games so far and his pace, guile, and positional awareness has been a handful for almost every defensive line so far. 

“I thought some of those injuries would drag him back physically, but they don’t seem to have done that,” Bellamy said.

”I don’t think I’ve seen anyone in my time in the game, as a player or a coach, have that many bad injuries and still be able to play at that level… he’s done a remarkable job.”