Canberra Raiders reportedly take up 2025 option for Josh Papalii

[Wiki Special]

I think Papa is going to play well enough to be in our 17 somewhere this year and next. And as Ata and Mooney develop (hopefully both in our NRL team) having him, Tapine and Horsburgh give us a very potent middle combo. Didn't mention Smithies because I honestly know nothing of him but hope he makes our 17 somewhere also. Guler and Saulo as the injury replacements is a great luxury to have.

[greeneyed]

Canberra Raiders star Josh Papalii hoping contract future sorted soon





Josh Papalii hopes to have his contract sorted in the next few weeks. He is off contract at the end of 2024, and has an option for 2025 (depending playing a certain number of games) , but Papalii wants it sorted sooner.

"There's discussions with my management team and the club at the moment," Papali'i said on Friday. "Discussions are happening while we're training at the moment. I'm not certain on how it's going to pan out, but hopefully we'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks."

Read more: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/ ... /?cs=14280

[Dylan’s Raiders]

He has been the backbone of this entire team for years and has easily been playing well enough for a new deal. I personally see him playing on in 2026 too.

[PNGRaider37]

Raider For Life

[NoMan]

SMH are reporting Papa's option has been activated. Since it's a mutual option I assume it’s been taken up mutually.

Eels raid ramps up as trio of roster moves leads Green Machine’s latest rebirth

The Raiders have tabled a new offer to highly rated Eels playmaker Ethan Sanders as part of long-term future planning that will eventually lead to the same for coach Ricky Stuart. Sanders, who is on a development deal base salary of $80,000, has been offered either a two or three-year deal by Canberra.

The Raiders recently took up the option in veteran Josh Papalii’s contract for 2025 as well given his impressive start to the season and the prospect of him celebrating his 300th game later in the year.

Ricky Stuart is contracted until the end of 2025. There is no rush on Stuart’s future given his standing at the club but attention is expected to turn that way after the Raiders’ round 10 bye.

Read more: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-20 ... 5fjo9.html

[BadnMean]

Good.
If he maintains his fitness levels like he has this year, he might have another year beyond that too.

[Finchy]

Hopefully that puts to bed all the talk about Papalii retiring this year

[gerg]

Good news. I'd be as shattered if he left for one final big pay day as when Wiki left. He deserves to be our highest capped player. Playing rep footy since 19 y/o, an absolute monster on the edge, then converting to arguably the most consistent prop in the game over the last 5ish years. One of our greatest players IMO.

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[Hong Kong Raider]

Great player for us, one of the very best and one of my favourite Raiders. Still performing at the highest level. Would love him to break Jason Croker's record. Also to score one of his trademark tries in the GF (only Cronk taking him early stopped that).

Wouldn't be surprised if Billy Slater calls him to reconsider SOO given Qld's injuries.

[greeneyed]

I can only interpret that report as the Raiders agreeing to waive the requirement that Papalii play a threshold percentage of games in 2023-24 (he just hit the threshold in 2023, so he won’t have played enough games so far to exceed the two year threshold). So it must have been mutually been activated.

Sanders on an $80,000 development deal now… and Raiders to turn their minds to extending Ricky Stuart after Round 10 bye.

[Raider47]

Ah yes the usual premature offer to Ricky Stuart. Why not wait till the end of the season at least and see what direction we're heading in? Could very well be 5 months from now and we're saying we need a new coaching direction after 11 years at the helm.

Ricky ain't going anywhere.

[Juz]

Papali'i seemed keen to see out his career in Canberra from my brief interaction with him - seemed genuine. I'd be happy for that to happen too. Enjoyed watching him over the years.

[-PJ-]

Papa is the man..

[The Nickman]

Hopefully that puts to bed all the talk about Papalii retiring this year

And that’s the end of that episode.

[The Nickman]

Ah yes the usual premature offer to Ricky Stuart. Why not wait till the end of the season at least and see what direction we're heading in? Could very well be 5 months from now and we're saying we need a new coaching direction after 11 years at the helm.

Ricky ain't going anywhere.

I have to say I’ve always been quite critical for them extending Stuart when we’ve been performing poorly, so I’m happy for him to be extended now.

I’m excited by the job he’s doing, and you all should be too.

[reptar]

Hopefully that puts to bed all the talk about Papalii retiring this year

And that’s the end of that episode.

Roll closing credits

[reptar]

Ah yes the usual premature offer to Ricky Stuart. Why not wait till the end of the season at least and see what direction we're heading in? Could very well be 5 months from now and we're saying we need a new coaching direction after 11 years at the helm.

Ricky ain't going anywhere.

I have to say I’ve always been quite critical for them extending Stuart when we’ve been performing poorly, so I’m happy for him to be extended now.

I’m excited by the job he’s doing, and you all should be too.

I rate it a 11/13

[bonehead]

Good.
If he maintains his fitness levels like he has this year, he might have another year beyond that too.

yeah Sticky maintain that fitness

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[The Nickman]

Good.
If he maintains his fitness levels like he has this year, he might have another year beyond that too.

yeah Sticky maintain that fitness

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

Fitness whole pizza into my mouth, AMIRITE?

[The Nickman]

I jest, I jest, you’re alright, boney

[bonehead]

I jest, I jest, you’re alright, boney

please only post while drunk Cueball

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[The Nickman]

I jest, I jest, you’re alright, boney

please only post while drunk Cueball

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What do you think I’m doing?

[Seiffert82]

I jest, I jest, you’re alright, boney

please only post while drunk Cueball

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What do you think I’m doing?

Nobody answer that.

Sent from my CPH2021 using Tapatalk

[Seiffert82]

This is good news though. Papa is not quite at the level where he's pumping out 130+ m games every outing, but he's still a presence. A really good guy to have around with such a young squad.

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[Bluesbrother]

Good news. Papa is still a force and a huge intimidator in the NRL. Looking up and seeing Papa is an opposition's worst nightmare. He is one of the greatest raiders of all time.

[-PJ-]

Papas 300th approaching fast.
Haven’t checked the draw.
I wonder if Stick will ensure he plays it at home.

[dubby]

Good news. I'd be as shattered if he left for one final big pay day as when Wiki left. He deserves to be our highest capped player. Playing rep footy since 19 y/o, an absolute monster on the edge, then converting to arguably the most consistent prop in the game over the last 5ish years. One of our greatest players IMO.

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

Agree 100%.

The man is a Raiders legend.

[dubby]

Good news. Papa is still a force and a huge intimidator in the NRL. Looking up and seeing Papa is an opposition's worst nightmare. He is one of the greatest raiders of all time.

And he's playing bloody good footy. Keep him going.

[Finchy]

Papas 300th approaching fast.
Haven’t checked the draw.
I wonder if Stick will ensure he plays it at home.

Doesn't really matter who we'll be playing, one thing is certain - if it's a milestone game we'll lose.

[NoMan]

Papas 300th approaching fast.
Haven’t checked the draw.
I wonder if Stick will ensure he plays it at home.

I think it's already the home game against Souths if he doesn't get injured or suspended.

[-PJ-]

Papas 300th approaching fast.
Haven’t checked the draw.
I wonder if Stick will ensure he plays it at home.

I think it's already the home game against Souths if he doesn't get injured or suspended.

You’re 100% correct.

Rnd 21 at GIO v Souffs.

v Jack.