Raiders issue indecisive Papalii with contract deadline
Date
March 3, 2013
Jon Tuxworth
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times
THE Canberra Raiders want Josh Papalii to decide on his future before this week's season opener, with the second-rower still torn over whether to stay in the capital or honour a contract with Parramatta.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner says the club is being patient, but hopes the situation will be resolved before Sunday's round one clash at Penrith.
Canberra are liaising with potential third-party sponsors in a bid to match the Eels' offer, and their chances of retaining Papalii are rising by the day.
Under NRL rules, the 20-year-old has until round 13 to accept a three-season, $1.5 million deal he signed with Parramatta three weeks ago.
The Raiders are confident lifestyle and family factors will help to convince Papalii to stay with the Green Machine.
Canberra helped the South Logan junior's family relocate from Brisbane to Canberra last year, and he has younger siblings already settled at school.
Fairfax Media understands the Raiders are disappointed with how some aspects of the negotiations have been handled.
The club was informed Papalii had signed a deal with the Eels almost two weeks later, when they met his manager, Col Davis.
It is understood Canberra were told the Eels' offer was $400,000 a season, and if they could match it he would stay.
They did, but by then Papalii had signed his $500,000 Parramatta deal.
A source close to the Raiders said:
❏ Papalii was advised to sign the Eels' contract after being told of the round 13 clause, giving him a ''safety net'' in case Canberra failed to come close to Parramatta's offer. It also indicates he was aware the option of staying with Canberra remained even if he signed.
❏ Parramatta were advised not to issue the press release dispatched to media outlets on Friday, February 22, trumpeting Papalii's signing because he was having second thoughts.
It has also emerged Papalii indicated to teammates the day before the Eels' announcement he wanted to stay loyal to Canberra.
Papalii's reputation received a significant boost when he successfully targeted Cronulla hitman Paul Gallen in the Raiders' 34-16 elimination final win at Canberra Stadium last year. NSW skipper Gallen made uncharacteristic errors and accused Papalii of taking ''dog shots''.
