Josh Papali’i’s stop-start beginning to 2026 is set to continue with the Canberra veteran facing a one-match ban for his high shot on Samuel Hughes.
After being sin-binned in the first half of the Raiders’ 14-10 loss to Canterbury on Thursday night, Papali’i was hit with a grade-two high tackle charge on Friday.
Unless he successfully beats the ban at the NRL judiciary, the Raiders prop will miss Canberra’s clash with Cronulla next Sunday.
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If the 33-year-old does attempt to fight it and lose, he would then spend a second week on the sidelines.
Papali’i played just 19 minutes in Canberra’s season opener against Manly, before suffering a concussion.
He subsequently missed the Raiders’ Round 2 loss to the Warriors, before returning on Thursday night against the Bulldogs.
The news was better for Raiders captain Joseph Tapine on Friday, with the fellow starting prop avoiding a ban for his contact on Bulldog Harry Hayes.
Tapine was handed a grade-one charge, meaning he can escape with a $1000 fine.
Canterbury playmaker Lachlan Galvin can also take a $1000 fine, after being cited for a hip-drop tackle on Canberra second-rower Hudson Young.
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