Isaiah Papali’i has promised Wests Tigers fans he is “all in” after months of public conjecture that he could backflip on his $1.8 million deal to stay at Parramatta.
Papali’i had been coy on honouring a three-year Tigers contract – easily the largest of his career – right up until the Eels’ grand final loss on Sunday, only confirming he is Concord-bound after full-time.
The 24-year-old stopped short of apologising to Tigers fans for the months of angst that followed his initial reservations after Michael Maguire’s sacking.
While the prospect of staying put at Parramatta was raised, Papali’i insisted he had told Tigers head coach Tim Sheens that he was on his way long ago.
Papali’i shapes as a key figure in New Zealand’s World Cup campaign after emerging as one of the NRL’s best back-rowers during a two-year stint at the Eels.
His World Cup commitments mean Papali’i isn’t slated to return to pre-season training under Sheens until January, but he has vowed to deliver on the marquee money laid out by the joint-venture.
“I hope people can understand the way I went about my situation, I can understand why some people weren’t happy,” Papali’i told The Herald.
“But the people who needed to know at the Tigers knew what my plans were.
“I’ve been in contact with Sheensy throughout the year. I didn’t want my individual talks to worry this [Parramatta] group given the opportunity we had.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge in 2023 and the three years I’ve got at the Tigers, I’m all in. I’ll be putting as much effort in there as I did at this club, that’s a promise.”
Along with Api Koroisau, whose joke about the Tigers’ title hopes during grand final celebrations prompted contact from club officials, Papali’i is Sheens’ biggest 2023 signing.
The club has also explored an NRL return for English international John Bateman and expressed interest in Storm star Cameron Munster, while Newcastle enforcer David Klemmer toured the Tigers Concord facilities last week as well.
A two-year offer on top of buying out the final season of Klemmer’s current Knights contract is being considered by the Tigers.
Papali’i has made the most of a $200,000 lifeline Brad Arthur handed him last year when the Warriors cut him adrift, turning his Eels stint into a big-money Tigers deal.
“I can’t thank Parramatta enough, my time here has made me a better player and a person,” Papali’i said.
“I know I can make a difference and help lead at the Tigers. I’ve grown up and sorted a few things out off the field and become an adult.
“It all contributes to your form and as much as it was hard to make that move to Parramatta to start with, Brad’s challenged me to improve week-in, week-out, no matter if I play my best game of my life or my worst. That’s what I take with me.”
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Isaiah Papali’i has promised Wests Tigers fans he is “all in” after months of public conjecture that he could backflip on his $1.8 million deal to stay at Parramatta.
Papali’i had been coy on honouring a three-year Tigers contract – easily the largest of his career – right up until the Eels’ grand final loss on Sunday, only confirming he is Concord-bound after full-time.
That is exactly what I expected to happen.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Isaiah Papali’i has promised Wests Tigers fans he is “all in” after months of public conjecture that he could backflip on his $1.8 million deal to stay at Parramatta.
Papali’i had been coy on honouring a three-year Tigers contract – easily the largest of his career – right up until the Eels’ grand final loss on Sunday, only confirming he is Concord-bound after full-time.
That is exactly what I expected to happen.
A week is a long time in football - IP now saying the right things and Api carrying on like a goose 😆
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Isaiah Papali’i has promised Wests Tigers fans he is “all in” after months of public conjecture that he could backflip on his $1.8 million deal to stay at Parramatta.
Papali’i had been coy on honouring a three-year Tigers contract – easily the largest of his career – right up until the Eels’ grand final loss on Sunday, only confirming he is Concord-bound after full-time.
The 24-year-old stopped short of apologising to Tigers fans for the months of angst that followed his initial reservations after Michael Maguire’s sacking.
While the prospect of staying put at Parramatta was raised, Papali’i insisted he had told Tigers head coach Tim Sheens that he was on his way long ago.
Papali’i shapes as a key figure in New Zealand’s World Cup campaign after emerging as one of the NRL’s best back-rowers during a two-year stint at the Eels.
His World Cup commitments mean Papali’i isn’t slated to return to pre-season training under Sheens until January, but he has vowed to deliver on the marquee money laid out by the joint-venture.
“I hope people can understand the way I went about my situation, I can understand why some people weren’t happy,” Papali’i told The Herald.
“But the people who needed to know at the Tigers knew what my plans were.
“I’ve been in contact with Sheensy throughout the year. I didn’t want my individual talks to worry this [Parramatta] group given the opportunity we had.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge in 2023 and the three years I’ve got at the Tigers, I’m all in. I’ll be putting as much effort in there as I did at this club, that’s a promise.”
Along with Api Koroisau, whose joke about the Tigers’ title hopes during grand final celebrations prompted contact from club officials, Papali’i is Sheens’ biggest 2023 signing.
The club has also explored an NRL return for English international John Bateman and expressed interest in Storm star Cameron Munster, while Newcastle enforcer David Klemmer toured the Tigers Concord facilities last week as well.
A two-year offer on top of buying out the final season of Klemmer’s current Knights contract is being considered by the Tigers.
Papali’i has made the most of a $200,000 lifeline Brad Arthur handed him last year when the Warriors cut him adrift, turning his Eels stint into a big-money Tigers deal.
“I can’t thank Parramatta enough, my time here has made me a better player and a person,” Papali’i said.
“I know I can make a difference and help lead at the Tigers. I’ve grown up and sorted a few things out off the field and become an adult.
“It all contributes to your form and as much as it was hard to make that move to Parramatta to start with, Brad’s challenged me to improve week-in, week-out, no matter if I play my best game of my life or my worst. That’s what I take with me.”
If we are offering Klemmer a 3 year contract I think its a given that Brooks is leaving.
There is no way we'd have $800k in our cap just lying around for 2023.
I think we may not get the full story on these pending player moves until the NRL confirms the CBA agreement for 2023. Pretty pathetic that nobody knows what the 2023 cap is and the new contract year starts in less than a month!
Isaiah Papali’i has promised Wests Tigers fans he is “all in” after months of public conjecture that he could backflip on his $1.8 million deal to stay at Parramatta.
Papali’i had been coy on honouring a three-year Tigers contract – easily the largest of his career – right up until the Eels’ grand final loss on Sunday, only confirming he is Concord-bound after full-time.
The 24-year-old stopped short of apologising to Tigers fans for the months of angst that followed his initial reservations after Michael Maguire’s sacking.
While the prospect of staying put at Parramatta was raised, Papali’i insisted he had told Tigers head coach Tim Sheens that he was on his way long ago.
Papali’i shapes as a key figure in New Zealand’s World Cup campaign after emerging as one of the NRL’s best back-rowers during a two-year stint at the Eels.
His World Cup commitments mean Papali’i isn’t slated to return to pre-season training under Sheens until January, but he has vowed to deliver on the marquee money laid out by the joint-venture.
“I hope people can understand the way I went about my situation, I can understand why some people weren’t happy,” Papali’i told The Herald.
“But the people who needed to know at the Tigers knew what my plans were.
“I’ve been in contact with Sheensy throughout the year. I didn’t want my individual talks to worry this [Parramatta] group given the opportunity we had.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge in 2023 and the three years I’ve got at the Tigers, I’m all in. I’ll be putting as much effort in there as I did at this club, that’s a promise.”
Along with Api Koroisau, whose joke about the Tigers’ title hopes during grand final celebrations prompted contact from club officials, Papali’i is Sheens’ biggest 2023 signing.
The club has also explored an NRL return for English international John Bateman and expressed interest in Storm star Cameron Munster, while Newcastle enforcer David Klemmer toured the Tigers Concord facilities last week as well.
A two-year offer on top of buying out the final season of Klemmer’s current Knights contract is being considered by the Tigers.
Papali’i has made the most of a $200,000 lifeline Brad Arthur handed him last year when the Warriors cut him adrift, turning his Eels stint into a big-money Tigers deal.
“I can’t thank Parramatta enough, my time here has made me a better player and a person,” Papali’i said.
“I know I can make a difference and help lead at the Tigers. I’ve grown up and sorted a few things out off the field and become an adult.
“It all contributes to your form and as much as it was hard to make that move to Parramatta to start with, Brad’s challenged me to improve week-in, week-out, no matter if I play my best game of my life or my worst. That’s what I take with me.”
If we are offering Klemmer a 3 year contract I think its a given that Brooks is leaving.
There is no way we'd have $800k in our cap just lying around for 2023.
I think we may not get the full story on these pending player moves until the NRL confirms the CBA agreement for 2023. Pretty pathetic that nobody knows what the 2023 cap is and the new contract year starts in less than a month!
Disagree. IMO the fact that they are offering Klemmer the three years suggests to be that it might be frontloading (we have room in the cap for 2023), so (hypothetically) $800K in 23, $500k in 24, 25, averaging $600ish.
Klemmer gives me hope 23 won’t be a train wreck. Let’s get it done Wests Tigers!!
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
@tiger5150 good deal for klemmer if we can front load for 2023
Let me be clear, I have no idea, just making numbers up but just making the point that it doesnt necessarily mean that Brooks has to go to make it happen.
Isaiah Papali’i has promised Wests Tigers fans he is “all in” after months of public conjecture that he could backflip on his $1.8 million deal to stay at Parramatta.
Papali’i had been coy on honouring a three-year Tigers contract – easily the largest of his career – right up until the Eels’ grand final loss on Sunday, only confirming he is Concord-bound after full-time.
That is exactly what I expected to happen.
Good to hear this from Papali'i himself but it would be naive in the extreme to believe that he didn't explore the possibility of getting out of his contract with us.
Isaiah Papali’i has promised Wests Tigers fans he is “all in” after months of public conjecture that he could backflip on his $1.8 million deal to stay at Parramatta.
Papali’i had been coy on honouring a three-year Tigers contract – easily the largest of his career – right up until the Eels’ grand final loss on Sunday, only confirming he is Concord-bound after full-time.
That is exactly what I expected to happen.
Good to hear this from Papali'i himself but it would be naive in the extreme to believe that he didn't explore the possibility of getting out of his contract with us.
True and there is plenty of reason to be negative but to be real, Api and Papali'i are probably the highest quality players ever purchased by this club (Gareth Ellis turned out to be incredible but I dont tihnk was in such esteem prior).
Our strongest 17, with Sheen coaching is possibly the strongest 17 we have put together for a long while.
IMO this team doesnt win the spoon.
Would be nice to snag another Middle/2RF
1. Laurie (Staines?)
2. Nofa
3. Naden
4. AD
5 Ken M
6. Brooks
7. Hastings
8. Stef
9. Api
10. Musgrove/Twal
11. Papali'i
12. Blore (?)
13. Joffa
Twal
Pole
Someoen else
Someone else
Isaiah Papali’i has promised Wests Tigers fans he is “all in” after months of public conjecture that he could backflip on his $1.8 million deal to stay at Parramatta.
Papali’i had been coy on honouring a three-year Tigers contract – easily the largest of his career – right up until the Eels’ grand final loss on Sunday, only confirming he is Concord-bound after full-time.
That is exactly what I expected to happen.
Good to hear this from Papali'i himself but it would be naive in the extreme to believe that he didn't explore the possibility of getting out of his contract with us.
He may have asked the question but was told no months ago
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
hopefully this is now put to bed. Me thinks IP enjoyed the media attention and played along with it.
Is it January yet?
I hope not, we need a few better players before we start season 2023!
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
So, what side are we playing Ice on?
Brooks is a left side specialist and has had success getting short balls to hard running backrowers on that side of the field.
But our new recruit played on right edge at the Eels. Do we shift him to the left to partner with Brooks?
Or is there a Blore or Matamua or someone else that might be a good option on that side with Brooks?
On the other hand, Presuming Doueihi is the five-eight and is stationed on his preferred right side, would that be a good combo with Isaiah?
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
