Broncos question if Canberra coach Ricky Stuart is playing mind games with the fitness of Raiders prop Josh Papalii

Raiders prop Josh Papalii is in doubt for Sunday’s qualifying final against the Broncos, but Brisbane is privately questioning if the tactic is a mind game after being stitched up in Round 2.

The Broncos have questioned whether Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is playing mind games around the fitness of prop Josh Papalii after Brisbane was stitched up on their last trip to Canberra.

The Broncos are bracing for some ‘Ricky Trickery’ when they venture to GIO Stadium for Sunday’s blockbuster qualifying final against the minor premiers.

After recording a thumping 50-14 round 1 win against the Roosters to kick off the Michael Maguire era at Red Hill, Brisbane was ambushed 32-22 by the Raiders in Canberra a week later.

The Broncos were exposed by a fired up Raiders outfit which bashed Brisbane in the midfield to announce themselves as a genuine NRL title contender in 2025 on the back of a Las Vegas demolition of the Warriors.

The Broncos also privately believe they were the victims of gamesmanship in the nation’s capital after their team bus was forced to park in an obscure location before the match.

That meant Broncos players had to walk through Canberra’s passionate and parochial fans, who heckled Brisbane’s superstars in the lead-up to kick-off, leaving Maguire furious.

Things didn’t get any better for the Broncos, who were caught out by the Raiders in a boilover.

As the Broncos completed their finals media commitments on Monday at Red Hill, news broke that Raiders warhorse Papalii had suffered an ankle injury at training last week and was in doubt for the Sunday showdown.

But Broncos figures were quietly questioning whether the injury was legitimate or a case of ‘Tricky Stuart’ playing games in the lead-up to the crucial clash in which a home preliminary final is on the line.

Broncos lock Pat Carrigan said he was expecting to take on his Maroons teammate Papalii in a middle forwards battle for the ages.

“We’re aware of what their pack will bring,” he said.

“‘Papa’ has been massive for them this year and I’ve been in Origin with him, he leads from the front and makes other players around him better just with his presence.

“They beat us in the middle in Canberra earlier this year but I think our pack has come a long way since then, we’ll be ready for it.”

The Broncos were expected to win the round 2 clash and left Canberra feeling like it was a game that got away from them.

However the Raiders went on to defy their critics and claim the minor premiership while Brisbane finished fourth after a late-season surge.

Injured Broncos captain Adam Reynolds said Brisbane had to improve to knock off the NRL’s No. 1 team.

“That was a long time ago in round 2, both teams have made improvements since then,” he said.

“It’s good to come up against the best, they have been the most consistent team all year, they are deserved minor premiers and they have been fantastic in all fronts of the game.

“We will need to be at our best to get the result down there, but it’s a challenge we’ll be up for.”