LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Canberra Raiders are preparing to make an official offer to veteran prop Josh Papalii. Currently on a contract that ends in 2025, the Queensland State of Origin representative had initially been expected to leave the club at the end of the season.
There were discussions about Papalii potentially exiting the NRL entirely. However, during the State of Origin camp leading up to Game 3, he expressed a willingness to continue playing in the NRL.
Subsequently, reports indicated that the Newcastle Knights were considering an offer for him. In response, Papalii's management reached out to the Raiders to gauge their interest in extending his contract.
While the Raiders have a number of young forwards to develop, with a strong forward pack led by Joseph Tapine, Corey Horsburgh, and Morgan Smithies, they are now likely to pursue a re-signing of Papalii, according to a report from the Sydney Morning Herald.
This report implies that the prop will sign for another year, abandoning plans to join St Helens. Papalii's strong performance this season, contributing to the Raiders' position at the top of the table, has significantly influenced the decision of Ricky Stuart and his recruitment team.