Raiders prop pleads not guilty to abusing police in bar

By Dominic Giannini

Raiders prop Josh Papalii is accused of abusing and intimidating venue staff and police. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

NRL player Josh Papalii will fight charges stemming from allegations he behaved aggressively and threw glasses on a night out drinking.

The Canberra Raiders prop's lawyer, Tom Taylor, confirmed in ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday that not guilty pleas had been entered to the charges of resisting a territory official and remaining in or re-entering a premises.

ACT Policing confirmed officers responded to reports three men were behaving aggressively towards staff and each other and throwing glasses in a licensed premises early on September 16.

Officers were told Papalii had verbally abused staff after being asked to leave, police said in a statement.

The 32-year-old also allegedly became verbally abusive and threatening towards the officers when they asked him to leave.

The group then allegedly re-entered the premises and further intimidated officers before again being asked to leave and departing a short time later, police say.

Papalii's case is expected to return to court in early 2025.

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