Returning from injury this weekend, Raiders prop Josh Papalii is ready to bring the energy as his beloved Green Machine face the Bulldogs in a season-defining game at Accor Stadium this Saturday.
After suffering a partial tear in his calf during their 26-22 win against the Storm in round seven, Papalii returns with the Raiders sitting 12th on the ladder and needing to string some important wins together to give them a shot at finals football.
“I think we can [go on a run]. I can be a bit biased though, I have been here for a long time. The playing group that we have can do the job, but we just need to take it one week at a time,” Papalii said.
This isn’t the first time the Raiders have had their backs against the walls. Being the veteran that Josh is, he reminisces on his second season in the NRL back in 2012.
The Raiders were 15th at the halfway point of the regular season; no one could have predicted that they would make a late push for finals. They were written off.
But in true Raiders fashion, they pushed hard with only three losses following Round 13, which put them sixth, securing a home final against the Cronulla Sharks in an elimination final.
Papalii would star in a famous battle between himself and Paul Gallen, where the Raiders claimed a convincing 34-16 victory to end the Sharks' finals campaign and push to the second week of finals.
Raiders v Sharks FW1 (Highlights)
When asked, Papalii drew similarities between the current squad and the 2012 team that won seven straight to make the finals.
"Yeah I do [see similarities]. Experienced forwards, young outside backs and young halves," Papalii said.
"I'm pretty sure Sammy Williams was in there too helping us with that late charge as well. Yeah I just really hope the younger boys enjoy the journey."
"Yes, we've lost a few on the trot. But we can also win a few on the trot."
The Raiders face off against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Saturday night in a must-win match for the Green Machine, but this won’t come without a fight as Canterbury is set to be a major attacking threat.
“I think we are in a position at the moment where we are desperate for wins and need to win a few on the trot. The focus has just been on us at the moment, seeing where we can improve on our efforts, scoring points and keeping points out.”
Considering the 2026 season hasn’t been going to plan for the reigning minor premiers following such a successful season in 2025, Papalii was so focused on his return and the impact this would have on the squad.
“I think that what was important about my return was bringing back that energy and experience after losing a few games on the trot, being there for the younger boys who haven’t been in that position before,” Papalii said.
“Rehab is a lonely place, but I enjoyed it. I think my body needed it. There were just a few things that weren't going my way early on in the year, and I got the time to spend back on my body and mind. We are refreshed and ready to go now.”
When reflecting on how the team is doing from a veteran perspective, there are a couple of aspects of the game that Papalii thinks the squad can improve on, and it’s not necessarily the obvious.
“I think we are just overplaying our hand a little bit. We do have a young squad, just with a few older heads,” Papalii said.
“I also think that composure when tough times are happening, the younger boys can bring that into training and after games.”
