Proud Logan product Josh Papalii recalls his early days around Harris Fields and Woodridge State High

Cameron Smith may have retired from State of Origin, but Logan City still has one of the country’s finest in powerhouse forward Josh Papalii.

Cameron Smith may have retired from State of Origin, but Logan City still has one of the country’s finest in powerhouse forward Josh Papalii.

Papalii is a proud Harris Fields and Woodridge State High School past student who learned his craft playing at one of the code’s finest junior nurseries, Logan Brothers, before switching in his late teens to Souths Logan.

Josh Papalii playing for the Raiders. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

It was while playing with Woodridge SHS as a student another Logan native and NRL forward, Mark Tookey, spotted him.

At the time Tookey, a well known identity in the city and former NRL player, was scouting for the Canberra Raiders.

After signing Papalii, Tookey became something of a mentor to Papalii.

“Because my parents both worked, Tooks would have to come around and pick me up and drop me off every night if we had Souths Logan training,’’ Papalii said.

Josh Papalii. The Queensland State of Origin side arrives at Sanctuary Cove. Pic Peter Wallis

“He was a bit of a coach and a mentor to me coming through Souths Logan. That was pretty special,’’ he said.

Papalii has been with Canberra for more than a decade now where he has been a cornerstone of the pack.

His first season was in 2008 in the SG Ball but he injured his knee early and returned to live in Woodridge with his family.

Then in 2009 he returned to Canberra and trained with the first grade squad.

“I knew nothing about Canberra. Me and my dad went down and I have been there ever since.’’

So good is Papalii, that if Raiders’ dream team was named, he would be a walk up start in the top 17 which is no mean feat given the galaxy of stars who have played with the Raiders.

Three seasons ago his formed dipped when he bulked up, but since losing weight he recaptured his potent mobility while losing none of his power, impact or strength. He also has a nice late pass in traffic.