Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos qualifying final results, video highlights, latest news; Josh Papalii confirmed to play despite ankle injury

The late mail for this afternoon's game has dropped.

Josh Papalii WILL play after being in doubt all week with an ankle injury.

No late changes for either side in the nation's capital, with kick off one hour away.

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Jaiyden Hunt

Canberra have been the best team this season across 27 rounds of action.

However, finals football is a completely different beast and that will be the challenge for Ricky Stuart's men on Sunday afternoon and beyond.

"The one thing about it is they haven't done it at this time of the year," Billy Slater said on Nine's Sunday Footy Show.

"The key position players aren't experienced in these big games."

Slater also pointed out the other issue could centre around Canberra's biggest asset.

"Their strength is their aggression and the way they can do that through the middle of the field, but that needs to be controlled," he continued.

"If you get that wrong and go over a little bit - which tempers can flare in these moments - all of a sudden you're down to 12 men or you give away a penalty."

Billy Slater has given some timely advice to Broncos star Reece Walsh ahead of his side's qualifying final clash against Canberra.

However, the champion fullback and current Maroons coach is tipping the visitors to give it a shake at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

"I give the Broncos a real chance in this, they are playing with an aura of confidence," Slater said on Nine's Sunday Footy Show.

"The fullback will want to bring his mouthguard to this game. They certainly won't be missing him, he will be on their tip sheet and rightfully so - he's the spark.

"I think if the Brisbane pack can match it early with the Raiders in this game, they will create fatigue and they'll get rewarded by their little fullback.

"I give the Broncos a real show in this one."

Wally Lewis has backed a left-field solution to the looming dilemma at the Broncos, with halfback and captain Adam Reynolds expected back from injury soon.

Reynolds - along with Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo - all went down with hamstring injuries in Brisbane's round 23 loss against the Storm and haven't played since.

During the star trio's absence, the Broncos have gone on to record four-straight wins and lock in a top-four sport, scoring 152 points across the month-long span.

The skipper hasn't been named for Sunday's qualifying final against Canberra, but is expected to be fit in time for a week two semi or week three preliminary final.

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Tom Starling has fired back at a reporter for going "too far" into claims about a possible "rat" leaking information from inside the Raiders camp to rival teams ahead of the finals.

Mind games are not uncommon leading into the major finals battles, but it seems the intimidation tactics between the Raiders and Broncos have reached a new level.

The Courier Mail reported Brisbane were receiving inside details about the fitness of Josh Papalii after it was confirmed the veteran prop had suffered an ankle injury.

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The big question heading into this afternoon's clash is whether or not Josh Papalii will take the field, with question marks lingering over the Raiders prop.

Papalii is dealing with an ankle injury and coach Ricky Stuart confirmed he has only completed limited training this week and won't play if he's not fit, with young forward Matty Nicholson expected to come into the 17 if the veteran is ruled out.

However, according to Billy Slater, the minor premiers could trot out their experienced enforcer for the massive showdown against the Broncos.

"You've got to risk it for the biscuit," he said on Nine's Sunday Footy Show.

"If he's OK I think he will play. He means so much to the group and if he plays, I lean towards Canberra."

Brad Fittler conceded while it would be beneficial for Papalii to start in his usual front-row position, Canberra would still compete without him.

"It's a good chance he will have the last say I reckon," Fittler said.

"With that sort of experience, you don't want to lose that in your team - but the other part about Canberra though is that there's been no stars. They have been a team that's worked together fantastic … Across the field, they have that rhythm and spirit.

"They have never relied on one player, so it would be good to have him but it won't be the end of the world if they don't."

Teams will be confirmed at 3.05pm AEST - one hour before kick-off.

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