South Sydney has managed to reshuffle their NRL roster enough that they can fit David Fifita immediately, with Gold Coast expected to pay $500,000 of the second rower’s $1 million deal for the first two years.
The split-pay deal brings a five-year relationship between Fifita and the Titans to an end, though it could be argued that both parties are happy to see the back of what can ultimately be described as a failed investment.
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While Fifita has been among the very best in the NRL on his day, those have been few and far between since he left the Brisbane Broncos in 2020. Injuries stunted many of the years – he played 90 games at the Titans in five seasons – and when he was fit and ‘firing,’ the 25-year-old wrecking ball often looked uninterested or downright checked out.
Wayne Bennett believes he’s the man to get the most out of the enigmatic forward, though, and that may well be true considering how well Fifita played when serving for Bennett in the Queensland State of Origin squad some years ago.
Even just a change of scenery may be enough for Fifita. He had originally been teed up to join the Sydney Roosters last season but ultimately backflipped to stay on the Gold Coast (though that didn’t last all that long in the end).
“David is just a rare talent. We haven’t seen the best of him yet,” Bennett said earlier this year.
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The Titans know they’re losing a potential superstar to the Rabbitohs, but have simply hit the end of their rope with the hot-and-cold forward and want to spend the money in retaining other stars instead.
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Those retention targets include Jayden Campbell and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, as well as rookie Cooper Bai. The former two are already preparing to field blockbuster offers from NRL suitors, with the St George Illawarra Dragons to approach both and the Perth Bears readying a $1.5M carrot for Fa’asuamaleaui to lead them in their first campaign.
Tino recently said he has to “do what’s best” for his career and is more likely the one to leave.
The Titans are hoping they can keep both, but would see one re-signing as a victory.
