National Rugby League (NRL) CEO Andrew Abdo has congratulated Canberra Raiders prop Josh Papalii on becoming the 52nd player to reach 300 matches.
Papalii played his 300th match last Sunday, making him just the 21st player to reach 300 matches for a single club. He is also just the third Canberra Raiders player to reach 300 matches, following in the footsteps of Jason Croker and Jarrod Croker.
Papalii will be presented with the traditional 300-game match ball following the Raiders’ clash with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on Saturday at GIO Stadium. It will be the first home match since Papalii played his 300th game.
“Last weekend Josh joined a very elite group of players to play 300 NRL games. It is fitting that it is celebrated this round in front of Canberra Raiders fans. He has played his entire NRL career for the Canberra Raiders and has been a wonderful player for the Club over 14 seasons,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“He has won the Mal Meninga Medal, Canberra Raiders player of the season, 4 times as voted by his peers. That says a great deal about how well respected he is by his teammates. Josh has played the game with incredible strength and spirit.
“On behalf of the Rugby League community, I congratulate Josh on achieving this exceptional milestone, and wish him the very best for the remainder of his career.”