Canberra’s pack boasts some fearsome talent, but when one of the club’s true powerhouses hits top gear, he doesn’t just make metres — he eats opposition for breakfast. Veteran forward Josh Papali’i has long been regarded as one of the Raiders’ most intimidating presences, a player whose physicality and relentless workrate earn him the tag of an “absolute beast” from pundits and fans alike.
Across seasons, Papali’i’s ability to smash through tackles, dominate the ruck and set the tone on both sides of the ball has left his teammates with more room to operate and made defenders think twice about stepping into his path. He regularly posts huge metres per carry, makes crucial hit‑ups in tight games, and his leadership in the middle helps Canberra control tempo and territory.
When Papali’i is firing, opposition forwards simply can’t keep up — and Canberra’s attack looks far more dangerous for it. In tight contests, that kind of beast‑mode performance is the difference between scraping a win and totally dominating the contest.
