'It was a big smack in the face': Tigers star's 'tough' admission after ...

Isaiah Papali’i has declared he wants to be the “best back-rower in the comp” this year after what he conceded was a “tough” start to life as a Tiger.

Papali’i was one of the Tigers’ big-fish signings for 2023, along with Api Koroisau and John Bateman, joining on a reported $1.9 million deal.

He went from the high of playing in a grand final with the Eels the season prior to claiming the wooden spoon with the Tigers and opened up to foxsports.com.au on just how difficult that was.

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“Personally I found it quite tough and I’m sure a lot of the boys would say the same thing,” he said.

“I guess it kind of tested my love for the game.

“I found myself quite frustrated a lot of the weeks but coming back this year I’ve really enjoyed the new start and the energy around the club.

“Obviously it wasn’t the best year for us but it’s made me even more hungry to come back this year and turn it around.”

When asked what was most challenging about last season, Papali’i explained how the Tigers’ 4-20 record became an emotional rollercoaster that felt like a “big smack in the face”.

“Prepping and building up for the game and being quite optimistic about the week, then coming off the back of a loss straight after, that feeling was pretty devastating,” he said.

“I knew that coming here, I knew it was going to be a challenge but that first year was a big smack in the face.

“No one likes to lose so it was a big challenge after coming off such a big high that previous season. But this new year is twice as exciting because we have nothing to lose and I know that we’re going to do well.”

Not many people are expecting the Tigers to move much higher up the ladder under rookie coach Benji Marshall — and that doesn’t worry the team.

But Papali’i did stress the importance of getting a win in the early weeks of the competition after having to wait until Round 9 to taste victory. Although those two points were extra tasty given they came from an upset win over eventual three-peat champions, the Panthers.

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“I think we’ve got to get a win on the board a bit earlier but I don’t think we’ve put that much pressure on ourselves to get the result, it’s more process-driven,” he said.

“We’re not even looking at last year, we’ve got a new, fresh start ahead of us, we know we’ve put the hard work in this pre-season and I know that personally too.

“I don’t think we’re worried about the doubters, it’s more (about) wanting to proving to ourselves that we do have the team and roster that can be successful.

“This pre-season has been a good confidence-builder and has laid the foundation for a big year ahead.”

Papali’i became one of the most dangerous second-rowers in the game while at the Eels and was rewarded in 2021 with a spot in the Dally M Team of the Year.

While he did experience some success last year by winning the Pacific Championships with New Zealand, he wasn’t happy with his individual season.

That’s why he’s very clear on his goals for 2024.

“I want to be the best back-rower in the comp,” Papali’i declared.

“I had a few good years at Parra but kind of didn’t have the same impact here in my first year. I put that down to myself and how I prepared.

“I want to make sure I can be the best back-rower and play the best I can consistently.”

There was a time where Papali’i seriously considered backflipping on his three-year deal, which is worth around $630,000 a season. He admitted in August, 2022 that the sacking of ex-Tigers coach Michael Maguire “rattled the cage a bit.”

But he’s now proud to be a key part of the club’s rebuild and is looking forward to more pieces of the puzzle — including Jarome Luai’s arrival — falling into place.

“I want to be a part of a legacy that we were able to turn the club around,” he said.

“Being right in the midst of it, I’m happy to push through because I know at the end of the rebuilding it’s going to come right.

“I’ve just got to make sure that I keep my head down, if we keeping adding to our team and our roster I’m sure we’ll get results more consistently.”