BY DAN

Josh Papalii may not be leaving for England.

According to Danny Wiedler Josh Papalii is open to staying in Canberra one more year, and it is currently being considered within the organisation.

This is a no brainer. On a purely on field basis, Papa has proven his worth in the squad over this season. He’s still up to the gig, and another year in first grade would be well within his abilities. While he isn’t cranking career best numbers, they aren’t career worst either. He’s still the third best prop the club has in terms of metres per run, total metres, and runs of more than 8 metres. He didn’t look out of place in State of Origin; that should tell you all you need to know. Anyone with eyes can see how important he is on the field.

That doesn’t even speak to his broader culutral importance to the club. It seems like he’s an unassuming presence, but a vital one given the ‘salt-and-pepper’ experience levels of the squad. Joey Taps, Hudson Young and Tom Starling appear to be the leaders of this club. Having a graybeard around to provide a quieter guidance as Papa appears to do, would only be of benefit.

It also makes sense within the makeup of the broader squad. The position that would be Papalii’s would come from the departure of Pasami Saulo, so it wouldn’t impact the Raiders’ ability to keep other players, and would allow them to stay in the market for a backup halfback.

There is a risk that it annoys players seeking more minutes and bigger opportunities in the middle. Trey Mooney is the most obvious example. But I would think the ample middle rotation opportunities available would make it within the realms of possibility to appease both parties. I think this has been the prime driver of the club’s comfort with Papalii departing. Given the pipeline has been lightened by the departure of Saulo (and Guler before him, and Corey Harawira-Naera too), it’s a less prominent and more manageable than when the club original made the the decision.

It may make it difficult to get more outside back depth – absolutely something they need to consider given the scare that Seb Kris and Xavier Savage’s potential absence may put the side through this week. They’ve already said they want to find a way to keep Albert Hopoate at the club. They may be able to do this as part of a supplemental deal; or they may be able to alter existing promises to players that haven’t made the leap this year. There are ways to manage this. It’s harder than offering a straight top 30 offer, but it is manageable.

If this report is true – and that’s a bigger IF than the movie – then Canberra would do well to accede to the pitch. The risk of a Trey Mooney or Albert Hopoate walking out the door is real but not insurmountable. But Papa has proven through years of service, through his performance this year, and through his cultural importance to the club, that he’s worth keeping around.

We await the club’s next step.

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