NRL Grand Final market watch: Isaiah Papali’i future finally settled on eve of decider
The will he or won’t he saga surrounding Isaiah Papali’i and the Wests Tigers is finally over. Find out where his future lies and why the ultimate call was made.
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It’s official. Parramatta grand-final forward Isaiah Papali’i is joining the Wests Tigers next season.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has ended months of speculation by confirming Papali’i will not renege on his Wests Tigers contract and will sever ties with the Eels after Sunday night’s grand final against Penrith.
The Tigers were rocked by reports Papali’i was seriously considering reneging on his three-year deal, which he signed last November, to remain with grand finalists the Eels.
The hard-running back-rower has added fuel to the fire in grand-final week, refusing to make a definitive call on his future when asked if he will be at the Tigers in 2023.
But the straight-shooting Arthur has finally provided some clarity to the contract circus, saying Parramatta are resigned to Papali’i playing his 54th and final game for the Eels in the decider at Accor Stadium.
“Isaiah will be going to the Tigers,” Arthur said.
“He would have liked to have stayed but he has made his decision and he has too much integrity as a person to renege on his Tigers deal.
“He has made his commitment to them so that boat (Papali’i staying at Parramatta) has sailed.
“He is going and I wish him well.”
In the build-up to the grand final, Papali’i was tight-lipped on his future, insisting he has not made a final decision.
“(Waiting to make a call) has worked for us. I’m definitely going to have to stick to that,” Papali’i said as he prepares for his maiden grand-final appearance.
“We are just focused on this year.
“I don’t want to be worrying about that (his Tigers contract) in the biggest week of my career to date.
“As soon as Sunday rolls over, I’m sure me and my agent will touch base as soon as we can.
“So we can stop all the questions.”
But Arthur is moving on and does not expect Papali’i to be on his 2023 roster.
The 24-year-old has played 116 top-grade games since his NRL debut for the Warriors in 2017 and has forged a blockbusting back-row alliance with Shaun Lane in Parramatta’s charge to the grand final.
Papali’i has played two Tests for New Zealand and only has to stay fit to be selected in the Kiwi squad for next month’s World Cup.
The struggling Tigers are desperate for game breakers and Arthur said Papali’i will give the wooden spooners a boost.
“He will be great for the Tigers,” Arthur said.
“He will challenge the guys with his leadership, he will be a big asset for the Tigers.
“Isaiah is doing his best for us and I’m really happy with the way he is finishing here.”
BRONCOS SIGN SON OF A GUN AS RECRUITMENT DRIVE CONTINUES
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has continued his recruitment drive, going back to the future by signing the son of a Broncos legend.
Brisbane have secured promising Wynnum Manly rookie Max Plath, the son of former Broncos super-sub John, who was a key member of the club’s premiership glory years under Wayne Bennett.
Plath senior played 149 games for the Broncos between 1990-99 and was Bennett’s trusted interchange utility in four of Brisbane’s six premierships, including the club’s breakthrough title win over the Dragons in 1992.
Now, 23 years after John Plath retired from the NRL, Max will uphold the family legacy at the Broncos.
The 20-year-old has signed a short-term deal that will see him train with the Broncos for 12 weeks in the upcoming 2023 pre-season. Plath will also spend a further three weeks training with the likes of Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds and five-eighth Ezra Mam during the State of Origin period.
Like his old man, Plath is capable of playing several positions, including five-eighth, halfback, hooker and lock, and is being rewarded for his development at feeder club Wynnum Manly.
“Max is a lovely kid with a great attitude and we want to give him an opportunity,” said Broncos Academy and recruitment boss Simon Scanlan.
“We had him in our junior development squad several years ago. He didn’t graduate into the Broncos Academy, but he has continued to work and he is one of those kids who will be a late developer.
“He has worked his way through with Wynnum Manly and played some Queensland Cup this year.
“His preferred position is five-eighth but he has some of his dad in him where he can play multiple positions. He can be a very good utility.
“Max is well put together, he has a really good training ethic, so he will give himself every chance of playing NRL.”
Plath was Wynnum Manly’s hero on grand final day last year, kicking the winning field goal in the 87th minute of extra-time to win the premiership for the Seagulls Colts side.
The nuggety Plath made his Hostplus Cup debut this year for Wynnum, scoring seven tries in 14 games, and hopes to take the next step with the Broncos.
Plath has shown the competitive spirit of his father, overcoming a knee reconstruction two years ago to continue his rise at Wynnum Manly on his way to a Broncos deal.
“It’s been tough… I have had a bad run,” Plath recalled last year of his injury battle.
“I was lucky enough to come through all the grades here ... I am from Capalaba Warriors and when I was around 12 came to Wynnum.
“The club takes good care of you and Wynnum have done a really good job building that pathway all the way through.
“I was lucky enough to do pre-season with the (Queensland) Cup squad last year. That really helped me develop my body a bit more and understand the pace and the contact.”
TIGER TEASE: MUNSTER KEEPS CLUBS ON TENTERHOOKS
By Fatima Kdouh
Melbourne’s Cameron Munster has declared the Wests Tigers are a genuine option but won’t be rushed into making a decision, admitting he doesn’t want to “regret” choosing the wrong club.
After collecting the wooden spoon for the first time in the club’s history, the Tigers, under new coach Tim Sheens are desperate to rebuild their roster. Already, the joint venture has signed premiership-winning hooker Api Koroisau and Parramatta backrower Isaiah Papali’i.
It’s believed the Tigers are also making a $7 million play for Munster’s services.
Munster told The Daily Telegraph, while his preference is to be a “competitive” club, his family will be a top priority when finally making a call about his future.
“Obviously there is speculation about the Tigers but anyone is an option, I just have to make sure whatever opportunity I take … obviously still be competitive and play some really good footy … but, at the same time, I have got to try and set my family up too,” Munster said.
One of the hottest prospects on the player market, rival clubs will be able to officially table offers to Munster in just over four weeks.
Melbourne is still a chance of retaining the Queensland star and it’s understood the Victorian outfit is expecting a decision from Munster before he jets off for the Rugby League World Cup next week.
But clubs like the Tigers, and new franchise The Dolphins, have the playmaker firmly on their radar.
Munster knows the time he is taking to make a decision is causing a recruitment logjam at the club’s wanting to lure him away from Melbourne.
While the Tigers have already moved to extend Luke Brooks’ contract, their ability to keep the likes of Adam Doueihi and Jackson Hastings could depend on the club landing Munster.
“My partner Bianca and I haven’t made a decision yet,” Munster said. “It’s pretty frustrating, I know. So many people want to know what I am doing but, at the moment, I don’t even know what I’m doing now, let alone tomorrow.
“So look, obviously we have got to go through some stuff and not regret the decision that I make.
“We’ll make sure we do everything we can (to make the right decision). Whether that is November 1 or January or February next year. I’m not going to rush into it.
“I know it’s going to be frustrating for the Storm or whatever teams are trying to sign me.
“But I have to make sure I make the right decision for my family.”
The Tigers are also working to prevent Daine Laurie from going on the open market in November by offering the fullback a one-year extension.
Munster’s uncertainty hasn’t stopped the Tigers from broaching the idea of moving Laurie to five-eighth, should the Storm playmaker arrive at the club and play at fullback.
Young forward Shawn Blore, who missed the entire 2022 season after suffering an ACL injury, has signed a one-year extension that should keep him at the club until at least the end of 2024.
SIGNING BLOW: TIGERS BAULK AT BATEMAN FEE
By Paul Crawley
Wests Tigers have all but given up on landing England international and former Canberra star John Bateman.
It is understood Super League club Wigan have played hard-ball over the transfer fee and a move to Concord is unlikely after the Tigers made an inquiry about the backrower’s services. Bateman still has two years to run on his current contract in the UK and Wigan is believed to want a fee of around $350,000 to green light the deal.
Bateman recently alerted NRL clubs of his interest through his former teammate Elliot Whitehead at a finals press conference.
Bateman sent a message to potential suitors at NRL finals launch through Whitehead when he was in Sydney to promote Canberra’s elimination final clash against the Storm in Melbourne.
Whitehead shared the message Bateman sent with The Daily Telegraph before the Raiders skipper had to meet his media commitments.
“He was messaging me a minute ago … he said ‘mention, me’,” Whitehead said, pointing to his phone.
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