Josh Papalii ... pondering his future. Source: Adam Head / News Limited
Canberra coach David Furner is hopeful the Raiders can fight off a big money offer from a rival NRL club and retain young enforcer Josh Papalii.
It is understood the Raiders have offered to upgrade the 20-year-old’s contract for the 2013 season along with tabling an extension which will tie him to the club until the end of season 2016.
Parramatta has reportedly put in a bid of $1 million for the New Zealand-born heavy hitter, Furner says Papalii has indicated he wants to stay put.
"He's been pretty clear on his intentions that he wants to stay," Furner said.
"Look, we want him to be a big part of the Raiders so, as I said, it's always a process and it's not clear cut."
If successfully lured from the Raiders, it will be a big blow for the franchise, who might feel a sense of ownership over the 20-year-old after developing him through their Souths-Logan feeder-club pathway.
Furner played down questions that it had become a distraction for the side just before the season kicked off.
"I don't think you're going to go through a season where you're not going through this process and I think both club and player just need to concentrate on their football," he said.
Stand-in captain David Shillington said the team would support Papalii in whatever choice he made.
"It's been spoken about (among the players) and we'd love Papa to stay, but it's a huge decision for him and probably the first big one he's had to make in his career," Shillington said.
"Everyone's pretty professional these days with the way we handle contracts so he'll get on with business this weekend and hopefully put on a good performance for us."
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Meanwhile, the Raiders will head into their last trial game of the NRL pre-season minus two more players.
Furner has decided to not to play Joe Picker and Matt McIlwrick against Canterbury in Goulburn on Saturday to give the duo an extra two weeks' rest before round one against Penrith.
"I gave (McIlwrick) a test yesterday and he had injured a rib cartilage there and that's something that doesn't settle so quick," Furner said.
"Joey Picker won't be starting as he still has a little back problem from last week."
Furner said Jarrad Kennedy and Michael Picker would get more game time as a result of the duo's absence.
Glen Buttriss (ankle), Terry Campese (knee), Jarrod Croker (knee), Hayden Crockett (knee) and Jack Wighton (hand) will all miss the match due to injury.
