The Canberra Raiders are looking to bring in yet another forward to rebuild their decimated pack ahead of the 2027 season.
This time, the Raiders are understood to be keen on Josiah Pahulu from the Melbourne Storm, who could join his third club having originally left the Gold Coast Titans in the middle of 2025 for the Storm.
His time in Melbourne has been well below expectations though, and it's understood the Auckland-born forward has been permitted to leave the Storm if he can find another club.
Once one of the more highly-rated young forwards in the game, Pahulu broke onto the scene at the Titans in early 2024, having worked his way through pathways on the Gold Coast where he captained the Ipswich State High School team that won the NRL Schoolboy Cup in 2022.
Pahulu officially joined the Titans in 2023, working his way through pathways at the Burleigh Bears before playing 22 games of first-grade for the club, then moving to the Storm in the middle of 2025.
He has played just one first-grade game for the Storm, and News Corp is now reporting the Raiders are interested in the 22-year-old.
It's understood, however, the deal will only be completed if the Storm are willing to pay a chunk of his salary for the 2027 season when he is still under contract in the Victorian capital - how much of that needs to be paid is unclear.
The forward pack in Canberra has taken plenty of body blows at the end of 2026.
Josh Papalii has retired, while both Morgan Smithies and Corey Horsburgh are heading to the Perth Bears.
Jayden Brailey, who was originally signed as dummy half depth but wound up playing more at lock forward for the club, is also leaving for the Wests Tigers.
With Tom Starling, a dummy half who is another option in the 13 jumper, also set to depart for either the Manly Sea Eagles or English Super League, it leaves the Raiders staring down the barrel of a side well understrength in the forwards.
The club have signed Jaiyden Hunt and Lipoi Hopoi, but a knee injury for the latter leaves them short once again.
Canberra are yet to make contract calls on emerging forwards Jake Clydsdale and Vena Patuki-Case, although it's likely both will wear lime green in 2027 to add more depth to a forward pack that currently will need Joseph Tapine to stand up in a big way.
The Canberra captain will likely be joined in the starting front row by Ata Mariota, while Matty Nicholson, who is understood to be in talks around a contract extension, would appear to be the most likely option to take over at lock forward.
