He's the underrated beast who's been awoken.
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And future Immortal Johnathan Thurston has called on Canberra Raiders big bopper Josh Papalii to take down the leaders of the Melbourne Storm pack.
Thurston felt the Raiders hopes in their qualifying final against the Storm in Melbourne on Saturday lie with Papalii.
The 27-year-old has been brilliant all year for the Green Machine, but his performances have gone to another level over the final month of the regular season.
He scored the match-winning try against the Storm the last time the two teams met and was almost unstoppable in the loss the New Zealand Warriors last weekend.
Papalii scored a try and ran for 205 metres against the Kiwi side.
He was also outstanding for Queensland during State of Origin, with Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga labelling him the best prop in the NRL.
But Thurston felt Papalii didn't get the credit he deserved.
"He's certainly one of the underrated ones. He doesn't get the raps like some of the other frontrowers are, but that wouldn't faze Papas," he said.
"He knows how valuable he is to the team.
"Big games are won in the middle third and if he can stand up with those Pommies that they've got there it's an exciting time for the Raiders.
"He's had a really good year and they'll need him to really take it to the Storm pack.
"Jesse Bromwich is their pack leader with Nelson Asofa-Solomona. Papa needs to rip into those boys if they're a chance."
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Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker certainly knows how important Papalii has been for the Green Machine.
He's transformed from one of the best second-rowers in the competition into one of the best props this season.
While he's quietly spoken, Papalii's also developed into a leader at the Raiders - with his actions speaking volumes.
"At first I wasn't sure if he was a middle or a backrower, but he's just become a monster in the middle hasn't he," Croker said.
"His match fitness and his energy levels and his ability to play massive minutes and get through a lot of work, quality work too, it's just been outstanding.
"This year's really been leaps and bounds. His consistency this year has been the most impressive thing for me.
"He's always had the ability and a really strong carry of the ball ... it's like he's getting more and more excited. We've woken up the beast."
In typical fashion, the man himself deflected talk about his own prowess in the front row.
He started the shift to being a bookend last year, finishing the season at lock having started it on the edge.
Papalii revealed there was one aspect to his new job he didn't like at first, but it's grown on him as he's grown in the role.
"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 so far.
"Taking those kick-off carries is something I don't like.
"I really found it hard when [Raiders coach Ricky Stuart] chucked me in the front row for the first time ever.
"I don't mind it now, it's something I enjoy."
Papalii's sights are firmly set on bringing an historic preliminary final to Canberra Stadium.
The Raiders can host a grand-final qualifier for the first time if they beat the Storm.
It's something the Green Machine knows they can do, having knocked over the Storm in Melbourne four weeks ago.
They came back from 18-0 down, having had Jack Wighton and Joe Tapine sin binned, to win a thriller thanks to Papalii's match-winning try.
"It's massive. We would rather come here for the prelim instead of next week. We've got to go down there and hopefully win this," Papalii said.
"We're going to have to dig deep once again and hopefully pull out a miracle win again.
"It's a team that Cameron Smith captains. They're not going to make it easy again.
"We're going to have to go and play our best game of footy, and hopefully come out on top."
NRL QUALIFYING FINAL
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Melbourne, 5.40pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson, 15. Dunamis Lui, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Ryan Sutton. Reserves: 19. Emre Guler, 20. Siliva Havili.
Storm squad: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Justin Olam, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane. Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Tui Kamikamica, 16. Max King,17. Joe Stimson. Reserves: 18. Curtis Scott, 19. Tino Faasuamaleaui.