Josh Papalii will appear in court after an incident at a Canberra bar. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Canberra Raiders veteran player Josh Papalii will face the ACT Magistrates Court after allegedly threatening police and staff at a licensed venue last month.
ACT Policing allege the star prop was among three men throwing glasses and behaving aggressively towards staff at the Raiders Gungahlin Club in Canberra in the early hours of September 16.
They say officers were called to the club about 3am after reports about the men's behaviour.
When officers arrived, they allege they were told 32-year-old Papalii had also verbally abused a staff member when the group was asked to leave the venue.
The officers asked the men to leave the premises and allege the Raiders player was then verbally abusive and threatening towards them.
"After negotiating with the group, the men left the premises, however re-entered a short time later," ACT Policing said in a statement.
"Police once again directed that they leave, at which time the man allegedly attempted to further intimidate police, before the group departed the area a short time later."
Papalii was then named the Raiders Club Person of the Year at an awards event that Monday night.
He's played more than 300 games for the NRL club and is set to return for their 2025 season.
In the wake of the incident, the Raiders issued a statement that said they were aware of the incident and had informed the NRL Integrity Unit.
Papalii is set to face the ACT Magistrates Court later this month after being issued two court attendance notices for intimidating police and failing to quit a licensed premises.
His 30-year-old brother, John, will be fined for refusing to leave the club.
The third man is not being investigated by ACT Policing.
The Raiders were contacted on Thursday but declined to comment.
- ABC