But if Josh Papalii cuts it off before May 2022 then the next haircut might not be so special.

Papalii has locked follicles with Canberra Raiders teammate Corey Harawira-Naera, vowing to avoid the barber's scissors for two years.

Whoever breaks first has to completely shave their head - a sight Papalii said would be a sorry one for sore eyes.

The mullet has been one of the few things of beauty to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and it's one Papalii's been sporting ever since.

The pair's idea for a bet started not long after.

While Papalii's was business at the front and party at the back, Harawira-Naera's had a more all-over mop up in a top knot effect.

"It started in May. We had the COVID break, we had six weeks off and I shaved my head," Papalii said.

"I started growing the mullet for no reason and then I made a bet with Corey Harawira-Naera that we grow our hair for two years straight.

"It's only been a few months. It's May 2022 before I can cut it. Everyone's going to see the mullet for at least the next two years.

"If I chop my mullet or trim it the next hair cut I get will be a skin bald. I've done a skin bald when I was younger and I just don't have the head shape to suit it. Corey's hair's a bit longer than mine now. He started before me. The boys reckon it'll hit my arse in two years, but we'll see."

If Papalii needs any mullet grooming advice he need look no further than Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, who sported one of his own back in the day.

"I loved it, eh, Sticky in his prime. He had the little mullet flowing," the Raiders prop said.

"I've seen other pictures of Ricky as well ... he was rocking it pretty good back then and he's slowly letting it go now."

When he wasn't growing his locks during the pre-season, Papalii was turning his hands to the boxing ring.

He fought former Brisbane Bronco Ben Hannant as part of an all-NRL boxing show in Townsville.

While Papalii won the fight, he did have one regret - he didn't "let the hands go" in a flurry of punches resembling Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona on a night out in Bali.

Maybe next time. And Papalii wants there to be a next time, vowing to bring his next fight to the capital.

And he laid down the challenge to some fellow Raiders, like Curtis Scott and Jack Wighton, to also jump into the ring.

"My biggest regret was not letting the hands go in the rounds. I guess you're punching more," he said.

"I think the nerves got to me when the walk out happened. It was just all a new feeling for me.

"I know Benny Hannant came out and said it was all new for him and the first time he boxed.

"It was the same for me. I'd never boxed before, never sparred or did boxing training ever.

"People just expected me to be good and expected me to wipe him out in the first round.

"I knew Benny Hannant was going to come out and be a warrior. I would do it again.

"I'd say Canberra would be the next stop and hopefully get the Canberra crowd there to support me.

"Hopefully see a few undercards with a few boys who should be boxing - the likes of Curtis and Jack Wighton and a few younger boys. That would be nice."

NRL ROUND ONE

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm.

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