He played his 300th a week earlier, but it was fitting to celebrate his milestone in front of the Canberra faithful.
However, after starting the game with a four-pointer in the ninth minute, the front rower’s fairy tale game soured in the second half.
Raiders vs Sea Eagles: Match Centre
MATCH CENTRE: Raiders vs Sea Eagles live updates, score, stats
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Responding to Papalii’s try, Tom Trbojevic got himself on the score sheet, cleaning up a messy play before streaking away from defenders.
Kaeo Weekes then responded, slicing through Manly’s defence to score but the Raiders would be kept scoreless for 51 more minutes after his four-pointer.
Ethan Bullemor scored on the stroke of halftime, with Trbojevic being the architect of his try to hand Manly an 18-12 lead at halftime.
From there, it went pear-shaped for Ricky Stuart’s men with Daly Cherry-Evans crossing in the 43rd minute and Lehi Hopoate scoring in the 49th minute.
Then a moment of madness from Joseph Tapine made things go from bad to worse.
The Raiders enforcer, after referee Grant Atkins awarded the Sea Eagles a penalty, was given his marching orders and was sent to the sin bin for dissent.
His omission resulted in three Manly tries within four minutes, the first coming from Taniela Paseka, the second Tom Trbojevic and the third Luke Brooks.
The Sea Eagles five-eighth delivered an impressive effort, streaking past defenders for a solo try.
Raiders flyers Seb Kris and Xavier Savage scored tries to close out the game, but their efforts were in vain as the sea Eagles ran out victors, dampening Canberra’s finals hopes in 2024.
Key Talking Points
Read below for all the big talking points out of the Sea Eagles and Raiders’ clash!
Papalii’s Big Day Spoiled
Josh Papalii walked out in front of a raucous GIO Stadium crowd to a deafening Viking clap, with the Raiders faithful showing just how much the enforcer means to them.
It was the prop’s 301st NRL game, having completed his 300th appearance a week earlier in Round 22.
In doing so, he became just the third Raider to achieve the milestone after Jason Croker and Jarrod Croker.
His special game begun with a bang, scoring under the posts after a short ball from Joseph Tapine before his family and friends erupted in the stands.
And while the Raiders couldn’t get the win, no one can take away the impressive career he’s had.
Papalii has won the club’s player of the year, the Mal Meninga Medal, four times and has also featured 23 times for the Maroons.
He’s also won the Dally M Prop of the Year award once and has played 11 times for Australia and 10 times for Samoa.
Tapine in Hot Water
Raiders enforcer Joseph Tapine could find himself in hot water after being sent to the sin bin for dissent.
Referee Grant Atkins showed no hesitation giving the front rower his marching orders, and it remains to be seen what was said that sparked his decision.
The most recent rugby league suspension handed out for dissent was given to Dragons flyer Mikaele Ravalawa for a foul-mouthed spray during a NSW Cup clash.
He was banned for four games and was understood to have said “what the f***, c***” to a sidelined referee after an Eels try decided the game.
Tapine has largely escaped the match review committee’s eyes this season, having been issued only a $1000 fine for a high tackle in Round 11.
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Turbo Magic
It’s clear if the Sea Eagles are to make a run to the grand final, Tom Trbojevic is going to play a crucial role in a potential premiership.
The former Dally M Medallist was in everything against the Raiders and recorded a ridiculous statline in a performance for the ages.
He tallied 199 running metres, six tackle breaks, two try assist and two tries in a fullback masterclass.
Interestingly, his two four-pointers marked his 99th and 100th career tries.
“I didn’t actually know that, Turbo was great today. He was outstanding, injected himself into the game very early… saved a couple of tries as well,” Anthony Seibold said post-match.
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