Josh Papalii sets sights on top-four finish

The Canberra Raiders behemoth is confident that's where the Green Machine will be come the pointy end of the NRL season.

He points to the past two years as proof that's what they should be aiming for as they prepare for their season opener against the Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

The Raiders made the 2019 grand final and then backed it up with last year's preliminary final.

They're looking even stronger heading into the '21 season, with depth across the park.

Papalii wasn't shying away from the fact they're one of the main contenders in the premiership race.

"I'll honestly be shocked if we don't make top four," he said.

"That's just my opinion. I can be biased at times because I've been here a long time and I know what we have here is special.

"We'll be a chance to take it all the way to the final game. If I'm thinking less than the grand final this year there's no point being here.

"That's just me every year. I think we can play finals footy every year and I stand by that.

"Our training proves we are doing the work and the way we've been playing the last couple of years - '19, '20 - only shows we're getting better."

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Papalii's going into his 11^th NRL season, having played 219 games for the Green Machine.

He's the best prop in the world and one of the best players in the game.

The 28-year-old has played alongside Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker and Dally M Medallist Jack Wighton for most of his career and would love nothing more than win the premiership alongside two of his long-time mates.

But the Queensland State of Origin star won't let it define him if he doesn't.

"I'm pretty cruisey as a person. I think out of the square," Papalii said.

"I'm not going to die if I don't win a grand final, but it would be nice to win one with this special group of boys.

"I've been with Jack and 'Tooter', this is our 11th year playing together. Little things like that would make it more special if we were to win one.

"[The] 2019 [grand final] still burns me, but the Roosters won that for a reason and we had out opportunities to take it.

"I think that's the biggest thing going into this season is taking our opportunities, just playing our kind of footy. If we do lose and play well I can handle that."

Papalii weighed in on the debate raging about whether the new rules have gone too far, warning if it gets too fast it will end up being touch football.

He felt the current speed was about where it should be.

"You've still got to tackle and take them to ground, you've still got to wrestle," Papalii said.

"The six again does hurt, but if everyone does the right thing the game's still going to be as slow as it can be.

"I think the game's pretty good where it's at at the moment. But if they want it to go faster we'll end up playing touch."

NRL ROUND ONE

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