This is the eighth instalment of 2019 in review. As usual, now the Raiders' season is over - the best for 25 years - we are reviewing all 26 players who pulled on a green jersey in first grade this year. So far, we've looked at Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Nick Cotric, Jarrod Croker, Joey Leilua, Jordan Rapana, Jack Wighton and Aidan Sezer.
In 2018, Josh Papalii shifted from the edge to the middle and made the lock position his own. Despite being dropped to reserve grade early in the year, he was named Meninga Medalist and Fans' Choice Player of the Year - for the second time. He made another shift in 2019, to prop - part of Ricky Stuart's plan to make his forward pack more mobile. And at season's end, he was named Meninga Medalist and Fans' Choice Player of the Year, for the third time.
He was unjustly overlooked for Dally M Prop of the Year in my view - and Australian coach Mal Meninga might well agree. Meninga was moved to describe Papalii as "the best front-rower in the game" in August. Papalii re-gained his Kangaroos jersey for the end of season Test matches after three years in the wilderness, likely the first prop picked.
Papalii recently admitted he wasn't sure about the move to the middle, but by the end of the year, he loved it.
"There's so many good props out there," he said. "It's only my first year of playing in the front row for a full season and it's one I have enjoyed. Taking those kick-off carries is something I don't like. I really found it hard when Ricky chucked me in the front row for the first time ever. I don't mind it now, it's something I enjoy."
Josh Papalii played 26 of 27 premiership matches in 2019, missing only the Round 12 win over the Bulldogs due to State of Origin duties with the Queensland Maroons. He was probably Queensland's best player this year - and most definitely Canberra's best, the Green Machine's most damaging forward.
In 2019, Papalii largely maintained or surpassed his 2018 statistical benchmarks. He made an average of 138 metres from 15 runs per match, second only to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for average metres gained at the club. Papalii and John Bateman (105) were the only Raiders' forwards to make more than 100 metres per game on average. Papalii ranked second for running metres gained amongst NRL props, behind only Payne Haas. He broke the 200 metres gained mark in the Round 18 match against the Tigers and the Round 25 clash with the Warriors. He also broke the 150 metre mark in 12 matches.
Amongst the Raiders' forwards, he ranked first for tries scored, fourth for try involvements, first for line breaks and second for tackle breaks behind John Bateman. He was equal first, amongst regular NRL props, for most tries and line breaks, alongside Nelson Asofa-Solomona. His try in the Preliminary Final, to assure Canberra of a Grand Final appearance, will no doubt become a part of Raiders folklore.
In defence, Papalii averaged 25 tackles per game this year, ranking sixth amongst the Raiders forwards. His tackle efficiency rate lifted to 94 per cent (91 per cent in 2018), close to the benchmark for NRL props. His missed tackle average fell to less than one per game (1.5 in 2018). He was credited with just one try cause, two errors and seven penalties conceded in the whole season. That's incredibly consistent and disciplined.
I rated him an average of 7.5/10 per match through the season and ranked first in the total points tally. My rating below reflects his overall contribution to the Raiders' season. I rated him an "8" twelve times and a "9" once - in the Preliminary Final against the Rabbitohs. In that game against the Rabbitohs he scored the winning try and produced 18 runs for 179 metres, 57 post contact metres, one line break, seven tackle breaks, two offloads, 35 tackles and 92 per cent tackle efficiency.
Papalii took out Canberra Raiders Fans' Choice man of the match honours in six matches. He performed very strongly in the narrow losses to the Roosters and Rabbitohs in Rounds 9 and 10... and followed with outstanding games against the Roosters and Storm in Round 21 and 22... as well as the Round 25 clash with the Warriors. He was also man of the match in Canberra's historic Preliminary Final. He was not only voted Canberra Raiders Fans' Choice Player of the Year, but also the Player of the Finals.
It was an extraordinary season for a player who is now Canberra's leader of the pack.
How did you rate Josh Papalii's 2019 season? Tell us below.
Josh Papalii's 2019: 9/10
2019 Statistics: (Stats from Fox Sports Lab)
Games: 26
Average minutes: 54.7
Points: 24
Tries: 6
Try assists: 1
Try contributions: 3
Total try involvements: 10
Total kicks: 0
Kick metres: 0
Total runs: 389
All run metres: 3597
Average metres per carry: 9.2
Average metres per game: 138
Tackle breaks: 49
Offloads: 30
Line breaks: 8
Line break assists: 3
Tackles: 657
Average tackles per game: 25.3
1 on 1 tackles: 17
Missed tackles: 23
Average missed tackles per game: 0.9
Tackle efficiency: 94 per cent
Try causes: 1
Line break causes: 4
Errors: 2
Penalties conceded: 7
