BY DAN

Josh Papalii leaving the Canberra Raiders at the end of the year hurts. From Papa’s public statements he wanted to play on, but an offer hasn’t been forthcoming for the club. Originally the plan had been to head overseas, but now there is reporting he may stay in the NRL. It’s the worst of all worlds. What is going on? Is there a way to keep him?

This more than other ‘endings’ in recent times has been a murky process. It was announced that Papalii was retiring before he’d publicly commented. This was a process similar to Elliott Whitehead and Jordan Rapana’s time ending with the club. The public conversation was Stick and Don Furner talking about how sad they were that Papa’s time was ending, juxtaposed with talk from the big guy of wanting to play on. The obvious question was if both sides wanted him to stay, why wasn’t he?

It seems Canberra were more ready than Josh to move on, and as the season has played out, and Papalii’s form has remained impressive the desire to keep playing has made mroe and more sense. The role has changed – no longer is he the bell-cow but rather an excellent rotation middle. When the Raiders have been most dominant this year it’s been in their ability to utilise his presence alongside Ata Mariota and Zac Hosking in a bench rotation that springs to life like the arm at the presence of a free drink.

Papa is still cranking out metres, third most per game (99) out of the middle rotation. He still looks graceful and brutal in his carries. This culminated in his recall to the very Origin side and Coach that (also) pushed him out two years ago, presumably on some age vibe. In short it’s become increasingly obvious that Papa could manage another year in the top line, and given the club is surely starting preparations on his statue out the front of Bruce Stadium, then they’ll need him to stay around, right?

It all seemed wrapped in a nice little bow until recently. Papalii would go to the Super League because he didn’t want to play against the Raiders in the NRL. But since then he’s confirmed he’s still keen to stay in the NRL, and has plenty to offer as an old-head. As he told Code Sports:

I still feel like I can play good footy and I think our season down in Canberra is showing that. You put an older head among younger boys and there’s a bit of control, and obviously a bit of fun off-field and all that, but we know how to go about our work…

if the team that you’re playing for is not offering you another contract for the following year and you want to play on, you’ve obviously got to look elsewhere

This may be a leverage play for what seems to be ongoing contract discussions with St Helens, or it may be genuine. St Helens’ coach this week was cryptic about his club’s pursuit so it’s hard to tell. It may also be news to the Raiders, who at least publicly had suggested as recently as this week that Papalii had told them he wouldn’t be playing in the NRL next year. Either way it presents the question back to the Raiders. Are they still willing to end the time of a club legend when he’s still good enough to play first grade against them?

The challenge of course is Canberra’s desire and ability to keep him. Desire because they are clear in their course on moving towards a new generation of players. The Raiders have middles like Vena Patuki-Case, Jake Clydesdale, Myles Martin looking for first-grade time, and Pasami Saulo, Trey Mooney, and Ata Mariota are looking for bigger roles. The Milk have been committed to their youth movement, and perhaps there is a view that commitment needs to extend to this circumstance.

Changing that view – or at least adjusting it to account for Papalii – isn’t difficult to envisage. After all, salt and pepper are needed both in a good soup or a functional and inclusive development. But even if Canberra decide they want to keep Papalii around the ability to do so is hampered by the fact their top 30 seems to be largely committed for next season. According to Don Furner, they’re trying to sign a backup halfback, and keep a spot for Albert Hopoate. But that’s all their space for the season.

There are ways around this though. Deals for emerging players tend to be flexible in switching between development line and top 30. But also rumours are simultaneously emerged – as reported here – that the Knights are looking to bring Trey Mooney to Newcastle. This has been an interest of theirs for a while.

Mooney is signed with Canberra until the end of 2027, but according to reports is miffed by his lack of first grade time this year (spoiler: that’s to do with the fact he’s had a disappointing NSW Cup season). The Knights would give him a starting role and presumably a footrub or something. This would free up a spot for Papalii to stay around.

This of course is an obvious test of the youth policy. While Mooney has been around for ages, he’s 23 and is still years away from entering his prime. After being the prototypical acquisition of talented youth that has become their calling card recently, Canberra have put the best part of five years into making him a first grader. He’s stalled in that regard, but that’s how development works. To give up now might risk undermining their whole endeavour. But to give up on Papa too early might risk to our collective breaking heart.

It’s a tough job running an NRL team. Future, past, or present? Which is more important? The cold heads of roster management or the hot blood of the fans? These are choices for people with bigger brains and narrower focus than most of us.

The problem of course is endings. Canberra haven’t mustered many good ones recently, but usually that’s because everything ends badly, otherwise it wouldn’t end. But endings also provide space for something new. Hard decisions have created Canberra’s success now, and hopefully in the future. Whoever leaves the club at the end of 2025, I hope it’s the right decision for everyone.

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