NRL Market Watch: Tigers backrower Isaiah Papali'i on rumours he could be headed back to Parramatta

Tigers forward Isaiah Papali'i has made a telling revelation about his future at Concord and it could be a huge win for the Eels sooner than expected.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 23: Isaiah Papali'i of the Wests Tigers looks dejected after a try during the round eight NRL match between Wests Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Stadium on April 23, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Wests Tigers backrower Isaiah Papali'i has pledged ‘another year’ at Concord, leaving the door open for a Parramatta homecoming sooner than expected.

Papali'i is currently contracted until the end of season 2025 but persistent rumours the forward could be headed back to the Eels won’t go away.

Despite having two more years to run on his deal, Papali'i only made reference to season 2024 when asked about his future at the Tigers.

“I’ve said it to (the club) I want to be here another year at least and make sure that I can have a proper crack, a good pre-season and lead into a new year. It’s a rumour, I haven’t spoken to Benji (Marshall) about it or anything,” Papali'i said.

“I saw the rumours, a lot of my friends were sending the story to me. From my end, I haven’t really spoken to anyone or said anything.”

Papali'i agreed to join then Tigers coach Michael Maguire on a three-year deal worth around $1.9 million in late 2021.

But with the Eels surging towards a grand final appearance last season, there was growing speculation Papali'i would backflip on the deal to stay at Parramatta.

Isaiah Papali'i could be headed back to the Eels. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The constant turmoil at Concord left Papali'i with cold feet over the move, especially when Maguire was sacked in June 2022.

Papali'i had also expressed reservations about the direction that the club was heading but incoming head coach Marshall played a key role in convincing the New Zealand international to honour the deal at the time.

Despite the assurances from Marshall, Papali'i remained coy about his future for months and only committed to the Tigers after last year’s grand final.

The 24-year old told this masthead the ongoing instability, including the parachuting of Marshall into the head coach role ahead of schedule, proved his concerns as ‘valid’.

“It was still a bit scary (coming to the Tigers) because there were shifting pieces happening behind the scenes where we had Scott (Fulton) step in and Warren McDonnell left as recruitment manager, and then we had a coach shift that we didn’t really expect,” Papali'i said.

“So I think (my concerns) were valid. But obviously you have got to go through those tough times”

Papali'i conceded his first season with the Tigers has been ‘pretty hard’ given the side is about to collect a second-straight wooden spoon.

Papali'i joined the Tigers from the Eels in 2021. Picture: NRL Photos

But the Kiwi forward is backing rookie coach Marshall to help turn around the side’s on-field fortunes.

“I see this club being on the up with Benji being at the helm. He’s pretty stubborn in the way he wants things done and I back the choices he is making,” Papali'i said.

“Now it’s on the players to buy into the style of footy and his coaching style. I’m definitely buying into the way he’s been coaching us because this last month we’ve been a bit more consistent. It feels like we are building.

Despite another season being a write-off for the Tigers, Papali'i the side was playing for pride against Manly on Friday.

“It’s a massive game. It will help us spring into next season. There is still a lot to play for. We do want to make sure we can wrap up the season on a good note,” Papali'i said.

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Tigers backrower Isaiah Papali'i on rumours he could be headed back to Parramatta