Off-season switch has Papali'i ready for take off after career 'plateaued'

Penrith recruit Isaiah Papali'i is confident a change of environment will be the trigger for a return to the form that saw him considered among the best edge forwards in the game. 

Papali'i was highly sought after three years ago when he led Parramatta to the 2022 grand final and signed with the Wests Tigers on a lucrative contract. 

The forward was disappointed with his performances throughout 2023 and 2024 but has declared his shift to the Panthers was the change he needed to recreate his best football.

"I had a few good years a few years back, and then I kind of plateaued, or just didn't really progress as a player," Papali'i said. "Then the opportunity came to come here I [hoped I] would be able to grow and learn off the coaches and the players around me would make me better.

"I think reflecting on it, it is a little bit frustrating. But I can't really do anything about those years that have gone by now. It's about trying to look forward and put in the work, so I have no excuse to not play well and be best prepared I can to keep progressing and growing."

Papali'i averaged 137 running metres and made 108 tackle busts on the way to the Dally M Second-Rower of the Year title in 2021 however his stats have dropped off since. 

Last season he averaged 89m a game and made just 30 tackle breaks as the Wests Tigers struggled on the field. 

Papali'i moved to Penrith both nervous and excited about the prospect of joining the club that has set the benchmark for the past four seasons.

The Panthers' famed pre-season did not disappoint but the forward has relished the challenge of lifting his standards to the Panthers' lofty expectations. 

"I’ve also got to look at myself and how I looked after myself and how I prepared for games," he said. "I want to make sure that my backyard is looked after and that I’m ready to play whenever I get the opportunity.

"I don’t want to have any reason to plateau. The best way to eliminate that is preparing well and being ready whenever I need to be.

"I can see that I’m more physically fit and more mentally locked in."

Papali'i is likely to line up in a left edge also featuring former Eel Blaize Talagi at five-eighth, Casey McLean at centre and Paul Alamoti on the wing. 

It's a new look edge but one Papali'i is confident can be one of the most dangerous in the league. 

NRL fans will get the first glimpse of the unit when the Panthers take to Allegiant Stadium for next week's season-opening clash with the Sharks in Las Vegas. 

Papali'i revealed his bags are already packed ahead of the side's departure on Thursday and he's eager to make an instant impact for his new club.