LOUIS BURKE | Culture | CONTACT
Parramatta Eels second rower Isaiah Papili’i is preparing for the NRL Grand Final against arch rivals the Penrith Panthers.
A twice crowned winner of the Da Vinci Code-esque VB Hard Earned Index, Papili’i is one of the unsung battlers of the game causing footy pundits to discuss how criminally underrated he is every week.
Taking his team to their first grand final in 13 years, there is a lot riding on Papili’i during this game especially as it’s likely his last whiff of finals footy before he joins the Wests Tigers next season.
Although the ink on the Tigers contract is long dry, Papili’i has made footy journos salivate by making non-committal comments regarding joining the 2022 wooden spooners.
Despite the fact that his legally binding contract is legally binding, Papili’i is committed to hitting snooze on joining the Tigers and is prepared to throw a few head highs during the Grand Final to make it so.
“We know Penrith are gonna go out there and give it their all,” stated Papili’i, trying to forget about the Tigers contract much as you might want to forget about housework during a holiday.
“But if we find ourselves down, I might throw a couple of head highs to get an early shower and a delayed start at the Tigers.”
“That’s if I even go to the Tigers.”
2022 has seen drastic measures taking place to get head contact out of the game with harsher punishments for repeat offenders.
Papili’i states if necessary he will use these new rules to his advantage and pop a high shot on one of the Panthers or as Blocker Roach might call it “a classic jerk to the top knob.”
“Win or lose, if I head high Jarome Luai that’s time well spent.”
MORE TO COME.
