And the now Canberra Raiders prop is wary of his old team ahead of their clash at Canberra Stadium on Sunday because of the resilience it has shown through one disaster after another.

Paulo left the Eels in the wake of their salary cap scandal earlier in the season, given he was already set to join the Raiders in 2017 on a two-year deal.

Before he left he'd posted a picture on Instagram of himself and Parramatta half Corey Norman having dinner with a former bikie and an accused criminal.

The Eels' season then went from bad to worse, with former captain Kieran Foran quitting the club and Norman involved in a sex-tape scandal as well as being convicted of drug possession.

It's meant Paulo has left behind a team that has essentially had a wasted season, and joining one that's finals bound.

The Raiders have won seven straight games to sit third on the NRL ladder and they'll play their first finals campaign since 2012.

Paulo said he's "moved on" from the Eels, although he still regularly catches up with his old teammates.

He'll send some banter their way this week before the game.

"It"s a bit of mixed emotions floating about, but I've moved on from Parramatta. I still catch up with the boys every now and then whenever I'm in Sydney," Paulo said.

"There's a bit of banter that's going on, but it's all for the love of the game and everyone's playing to win. Friends off the field and on the field, you're looking to get one on them.

"Timmy Mannah, we always Snapchat each other and I keep giving it to him about his haircut. I've been giving it to him all year saying he hasn't got many left. I think he's had his last haircut."

Paulo played for the Eels when they met the Raiders earlier in the season, which was a 36-6 victory to Parramatta in round six.

But that was before the dramas struck and the Eels were flying.

They've since dropped away, losing a raft of players and having premiership points docked for salary-cap cheating, although the team's been praised because it hasn't thrown in the towel yet.

Paulo said they'd come to Canberra trying to spoil the Raiders' party, who can wrap up a top-four spot with a win.

"These games that are coming up against the Eels are those unexpected ones where you've got to be on point and you've got to show them the respect that they deserve as well," he said.

"The boys over there are really resilient. They've handled themselves exceptionally with what's been going on throughout the year, but come next week we've got to focus on ourselves and keep focusing on what we're doing."

The 22-year-old felt the win over the Melbourne Storm on Monday night was the first time they'd put in a full 80-minute performance.

He said the Raiders were a young squad and if they were able to keep the culture they have built going then it would put the club in a "strong position for the future".

"We showed that we were able to play for 80 [minutes] as well and I don't think we've been able to do that all year," Paulo said.

"That defensive effort was second to none so big ups to the boys for getting the two points and we've got another test of ourselves next week."

NRL ROUND 24

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels at Canberra Stadium, 2pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.