No wasted time: Panthers grab Isaiah Papali’i after missing out on Fifita

Penrith has signed Isaiah Papali’i on a three-year deal from the start of the 2025 NRL season after the second-rower was given permission to leave the Wests Tigers a year early.

Papali’i, 25, was told by Wests in April that he could find a new team instead of playing out the third year of his $750,000-a-season contract.

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It’s a little surprising that the Tigers would let one of their biggest stars go, but considering Papali’i has struggled to live up to the hype at Concord, it makes sense to free up the coin. The 25-year-old Kiwi international was among the game’s best while playing in Parramatta but has since faded away in the last two years.

Penrith went after Papali’i quite hard after hearing he was on the market, The Sporting Base has heard. The club originally wanted to sign David Fifita, but when the Titans star backflipped to stay on the Gold Coast the Panthers changed targets.

The three-time reigning champs will be aiming to get Papali’i back to his best, which saw him score 17 tries in 53 games at Paramatta. He has played 32 games for the Tigers since joining in 2023.

The Sporting Base has heard suggestions this deal is worth around $500,000 a year.

The Panthers confirmed the signing early on Thursday morning. “We’re thrilled to have secured Isaiah’s services for the next three seasons,” Panthers football boss Matt Cameron said. “Not only does Isaiah bring a wealth of experience and leadership capabilities to our club, but he’s also a world-class forward who has proven himself at the highest level.”

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With Fifita now staying on the Gold Coast and Papali’i bound for the foot of the mountains, all eyes turn to Angus Crichton’s signature. The Roosters still lead that race ahead of the Dragons.