Former Wests Tigers star recruit Isaiah Papali’i has let slip that he was jostling for a move from the joint-venture as early as April 2024 – just seven rounds into the season and twelve months into his three-year deal with the club.
The Kiwi and Samoan International – one of Parramatta’s best players at the time between 2021 and 2022 – agreed to a contract with Wests Tigers but struggled in his new surroundings and was part of the Wests Tigers’ wooden spoon seasons in 2023 and 2024.
“On behalf of all at Wests Tigers, I’d like to say how pleased we are to have secured Isaiah at the club long-term,” former Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said at the time of his signing.
“His commitment is a strong reflection of what we’re building on and off the field at Wests Tigers and we’re looking forward to welcoming him at the start of the 2023 season.”
The second-rower played 39 games for Wests Tigers in his stint.
According to Papali’i himself – moves to get out of Wests Tigers began when Penrith Panthers legend James Fisher-Harris left the foot of the mountains to take up a deal with the New Zealand Warriors.
The Warriors announced Fisher-Harris’ four-year deal on the 17th of April, 2024.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be able to sign James,” said Warriors CEO Cameron George.
“It’s a huge signing for us, undoubtedly one of the biggest in our club’s history.
“To be able to add a player of his calibre and standing to our squad is a tremendous boost for 2025 and beyond. He’s such a highly-respected player and leader.”
Timeline-wise, and perhaps ironically or not – Papali’i’s management began dealings with the Panthers on the weekend that Papali’i’s Wests Tigers played Penrith in Bathurst.
A 22-6 victory to the Panthers.
Wests Tigers confirmed at the end of May that he would finish up at the end of the 2024 season.
“My manager and I had been working on the deal a little bit away from everyone, which was nice because it kept the whispers out of it, and then when it was official, it was official,” Papali’i told the Western Weekender.
“It wasn’t as black and white as it appeared.
“We had good talks and thought about it, not only with me and my manager and the clubs [Wests Tigers and the Panthers], but also my family and what we thought was best for me.”
Papali’i’s concession also invites questions of timing and how much Wests Tigers knew before a release was offered.
After a bye in round one, Wests Tigers were just 2-3, heading into the trip to Bathurst and Fisher-Harris’ announcement that he would return to his homeland in New Zealand.
The 26-year-old took more passing shots at the Wests Tigers.
“Reflecting on my time there [Wests Tigers], it was a little bit frustrating but you can’t really do anything about those years that have gone past now,” Papali’i told Nathan Taylor in the Western Weekender article.
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“It’s time to look forward and make sure that I’m putting in the work, so that I have no excuse not to play well and be best prepared, so I can keep progressing and growing.
“I think the more experience that I get here, the more I’ll be able to do it effortlessly without thinking too much.
“I want to make sure that my backyard is looked after and that I’m ready to play whenever I get the opportunity.
“I just don’t want to have any reason to plateau here and the best way to eliminate that is by preparing well and being ready.”
Papali’i will start from the bench for the Panthers this weekend in Las Vegas against Cronulla.
