Raiders veteran ’50-50′ for crunch Brisbane final

Jacob Shteyman | September 12, 2025

Canberra enforcer Josh Papalii is an even bet to play in the high-stakes finals clash against Brisbane, according to fellow forward Hudson Young.

Papalii, who has rekindled some of his early career form this season to become a key cog in the Raiders’ title push, is racing the clock for Sunday’s qualifying final in the nation’s capital after injuring his ankle in training last Friday.

The 33-year-old was named in Ricky Stuart’s squad but images showing the big Queenslander in a moon boot this week raised serious doubts about whether he will be declared fit to help tame the resurgent Broncos and top prop Payne Haas.

Figures within the Brisbane camp have questioned whether the injury was legitimate or if Canberra concocted the story to play on the Broncos’ minds, but the conspiracy theories were quashed when Papalii posted a photo of his heavily bruised ankle to social media.

Raiders second-rower Young revealed his teammates had real concerns when the club’s most-capped player went down in training.

“He’s doing alright I think. I seen him this morning, but there’s a legit injury,” Young told reporters on Friday.

“His ankle was swollen straight away and bruised, and fingers crossed, he’ll be right to play.”

Young rated Papalii’s chance of running out on Sunday as “probably 50-50”.

“But I don’t know. He’s big fella, so there’s a lot of weight going through that ankle, but I reckon he should be alright,” he added.

Tom Starling said he thought Papalii’s ankle was “touch and go”.

“Obviously, Stick (Stuart) will give him right up until the game to be ready to go. But he doesn’t want to go out there and let the boys down if he’s not right. So if he’s not right, he’ll make the call, and he’ll be honest,” the hooker predicted.

“We got two bites of the cherry and obviously, if we win this week, we’ll have an extra week off to rest and get ready for the prelim. And then we’re not speaking about losing, because we don’t want to do that. But, you know, we’ll get that second chance.

“So not too sure what his status is at the moment, but I’m sure we’ll probably find out more tomorrow at the captain’s run.”

Starling said the players had been practising their back-up plan all week in the event Papalii didn’t make the cut.

Despite being seen as a likely bench player ahead of this season, which was widely expected to be his last, Papalii’s resurgence has seen him elevated by Stuart to the starting prop position in every game he’s played since round 14.

When Papalii has been unavailable, fellow Queenslander Corey Horsburgh has been shifted to the front row.

Young said Newcastle-bound forward Trey Mooney firmed as a likely option for his coach.

“I thought Trey Mooney played well on the weekend against Dolphins. He came on and changed through the middle,” he said.

“He’s done a job every time he’s come up to play, but I’m not too sure what way the coaches and that are thinking. Trey’s been outstanding every time he’s played for us.”