On the eve of the NRL Finals series, Raider #300 Josh Papalii has officially re-signed with the club for the 2026 season.
It’s been a huge year for Papalii, as he became the Raiders' most-capped player when he played his 319th NRL match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in June, along with a recall to the Queensland Origin team’s decider, where he helped the Maroons to a series win.
His form during the regular season has been amongst the best of his career, with his performances in his 22 appearances helping to lay the platform for the Raiders to win the Minor Premiership.
Papalii said there’s no other club he would want to play for, and he has always wanted to remain in Canberra with the Raiders.
“Canberra has been a massive part of my life for the last 16-17 years, and to extend for one more year is such an honour,” Papalii said. “I just want to keep performing and show people why I’m staying on for another year.”
Papalii reflected on the season so far and said that it had been one of the most enjoyable in his time in green, and it gave him some perspective on his career so far in Canberra.
“It’s definitely been a year to remember for myself, with being recalled into Origin and winning there and then the milestone of being the most-capped Raider. That means a lot to me.
“I think the biggest thing is I moved here as a young boy and became a man,” he said. “I’m married and have kids now and most of my kids have been born here so it would have been hard to say goodbye.”
“At the same time, you want to leave a good impression on the players next up and hopefully I can do that.”
Papalii said his role going into next year wouldn’t change much from what he’s done this season and that it was up to him and the other senior players to help best prepare the next generation of players coming through.
“I think it’s important and it showed last week when the boys played the Dolphins that there’s a lot of talent coming through, but at the same time you need that mixture of experience and a few older heads to hold the place together,” he said. “Although I feel like the grandpa of the team and reaching Sia (Soliola) status, I feel good, and I can still contribute, which is the whole reason I’ve stayed on.”
Raiders Coach Ricky Stuart said Papalii already sat among Raiders club legends, and his re-signing was a reward for the way in which he continues to prepare and play the game he loves.
"Josh will already go down as one of the greatest ever players to wear a Raiders jersey, and he deserves another year playing for the club which he loves,” Stuart said.
"Josh has had a fantastic season for us, and his efforts on the field and his leadership off it made it an easy decision to sign him for another year."
“He is an inspirational figure for all our players. Josh quietly goes about his work, and off the field has a great effect on the younger boys in shaping their futures.”
