Panthers teammate Isaiah Papali’i has opened up on the emotional roller coaster that saw the team hit rock bottom at the same time he was celebrating a major life event. 

Penrith slumped to last on the ladder after an underwhelming 25-6 loss to the Knights in Round 12.

Papali’i missed the match with a knee injury and remained in Sydney as his partner gave birth to their first child the following day. 

So while the bulk of the squad walked into training on Tuesday morning with their heads down and ready for a brutal review from coach Ivan Cleary, the new father was still on a high.


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“It was weird because that was the weekend I had my baby, so I was on my own buzz, excited and enjoying my life,” Papali’i said.

“Coming in there on the Tuesday, I was still in rehab but Ivan had a big talk to all of us, then we did a tough session in the wrestle room. It was a hard talk but something we needed and we responded pretty well.

“I was still off-feet so I didn’t get smashed in the wrestle room but knew I had to keep ticking along and make sure I was ready to come back as fast as I could. The family was good, I had my in-laws over for help around the house. I was just taking each moment along the way.”

Papali’i credits the arrival of his son for playing a key role in his form surge since returning to the field in Round 14.

At the same time, the Panthers have also soared up the ladder to finish inside the top eight and progress to Sunday’s preliminary final against the Broncos at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium. 

Papali’i has relished his role as an impact player off the bench and produced two standout performances in Penrith’s finals wins over the Warriors and Bulldogs. 

The 27-year-old ran for 183 metres in the opening week of the finals before producing 153 metres, a try and three tackle breaks at Accor Stadium last Sunday.

The forward’s form comes after a challenging two years with the Wests Tigers, where he concedes he did not live up to expectations. 

Having moved to the Panthers, Papali’i felt a responsibility to slide seamlessly into the club’s premiership-winning culture.


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“I wasn’t performing [at the Tigers] so it made the pressure feel more intense,” Papali’i said. “I put it on myself to take it on the chin because I wasn’t performing. 

“Coming to Penrith has lifted a lot of pressure but I’m making sure I don’t think that what I give to the team isn’t important. There is a bit less pressure and I’m really enjoying my footy. 

“[Penrith’s struggles] were a bit weird but I just doubled down on my preparation and made sure I was ready for whatever role I had to play in the team. 

“I trusted that everyone was doing their roles and preparing to the best of their ability and then it just started clicking midway through the year. Then the confidence around the boys kept building, which was a good thing.”

Prior to his stint at the Tigers, Papali’i was one the most damaging players in the game. 

The forward was named Dally M Second Rower of the Year in 2021 before leading the Eels to the 2022 grand final. 

Paramatta came up against a familiar foe on that occasion and were handily defeated 28-12 by the Panthers.


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Now he’s based at the foot of the mountains, Papali’i is desperate to book a place in this year’s grand final as he chases a maiden premiership. 

“I’m pretty eager to get back to the grand final,” Papali’i said. “I know I can’t look past this Sunday. The Broncos are a big challenge and that’s going to be our grand final because if we don’t win this week we don’t get the shot at the grand final. 

“I’m making sure I’m keeping my preparation on track and then I’ll be ready for Sunday.”