𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐚 (𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐚) 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 (𝐍𝐑𝐋). 𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲… 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞

In a brief but heartfelt statement, the couple expressed gratitude to supporters for the kindness and understanding shown during what they described as a challenging period. They also respectfully asked for privacy as they take time to focus on their family and personal wellbeing. While specific details were not disclosed, the tone of the message underscored the seriousness of the moment and the importance of compassion.

Papalii, widely admired for his toughness, leadership, and unwavering commitment on the field, has long been regarded as one of the Raiders’ most influential figures. Off the field, he is equally respected for his humility and family-first values—qualities that have endeared him to teammates, fans, and rivals alike. The news has therefore resonated deeply, with messages of support flowing in from players, clubs, and supporters throughout the league.

The Raiders organisation echoed those sentiments, reaffirming its support for Papalii and his family and emphasizing that their welfare remains the club’s priority. Teammates have also rallied around the veteran forward, highlighting the strong culture of unity within the squad during times of adversity.

As the NRL community continues to respond with understanding and solidarity, the focus remains on offering space and respect. For now, fans and colleagues alike stand united in wishing Josh Papalii and his family strength, peace, and healing as they navigate this private chapter—reminded once again that behind the power and passion of the game are people deserving of empathy above all else.