The Canberra Raiders team comes together to celebrate Josh Papali’i’s record-breaking game for the club. Photo: Tim Gavel.
By his own admission, Josh Papali’i prefers to let his on-field actions speak for themselves, rather than expounding on his philosophy of life, chapter and verse, in media conferences.
He has been pretty much that way from the time he made his debut for the Raiders in round 11 in 2011. He came off the interchange against Melbourne.
In 2025, 318 games later, he is still expressing himself on the field with his physical brand of football but with the air of an elder statesman.
The nickname ‘Big Papa’ gives the impression of congeniality. That may be the case off the field, but there is a sense of raw physicality as soon as he steps over the white line.
At the news conference this week ahead of a luncheon to honour his impending record-breaking game this Saturday against Souths, which will be his 319th NRL for the Raiders, he canvassed plenty without giving too much away.
There was talk about the early days when he came to Canberra with his father to meet with the Raiders before spending the first four years of his time here billeted with a family in Ngunnawal.
He didn’t have high expectations as a teenager with the Raiders. As Papali’i recalls, “I was just happy to play a few games with the Raiders”.
He spoke about the influence of his family, with his wife, Masepa, about to give birth to their fourth child.
In 2013, Papali’i signed a three-year deal with Parramatta, such was his desire to play under then-Eels coach Ricky Stuart.
A few days later, Papali’i reneged on the deal, opting to stay with the Raiders.
“I always put my family first,” says Papali’i. “I wanted to play under Ricky, but it didn’t suit my family.”
Raiders CEO Don Furner broke the news of Papali’i’s decision to renege to Stuart during the Ricky Stuart charity golf day at Royal Canberra.
Furner said it didn’t go down well, and he avoided Stuart for the rest of the day.
When Stuart became coach of the Raiders the following season, Furner said Stuart thanked him for convincing Papali’i to stay.
Stuart and Papali’i have become close friends; that’s not to say there hasn’t been some tough love along the way.
In 2018, after the Raiders lost their first four games, Papali’i was dropped to the NSW Cup for a week.
There have been a few off-field issues over the years as well, and Papali’i expressed his gratitude to the club for supporting him during the troubled times.
He says, “They’re more the things I look back on, not the accolades. It’s the off-field stuff that happens with me and my family, the club’s been so loyal to me. If you think about what I’ve been through off-field, I probably should have been sacked 12 years ago.”
Mural of Josh Papali’i on the wall of the PCYC in Turner. Photo: Tim Gavel.
As to suggestions that he should be recalled to the Queensland Origin team, Papali’i delivered the perfect offload, calling on selectors to recall his Raiders teammate Corey Horsburgh.
For the time being, his focus appears to be on getting through the fanfare of his record-breaking 319th NRL game this weekend.
Papali’i spoke to Jason Croker, with whom he currently shares the record.
“We spoke about the history of the club. It’s such a great honour and privilege to break this record.”
Best friends and teammates, Joe Tapine and Josh Papali’i. Photo: Tim Gavel.
Fellow prop and Papa’s best friend, Joe Tapine, said he was looking forward to coming back many years down the track to celebrate their time together with the Raiders.
Whatever the outcome of the game this Sunday, the occasion promises to be emotional in more ways than one, with Josh confirming that this season will be his last with the Raiders. He has the option of a two-year deal in the UK Super League, but as always, it will come down to his family.
Get to GIO this Sunday for Big Papa’s record-setting appearance when the Green Machine take on Souths at 2 pm. Get your tickets at Ticketek.
