Fifita 'feeding frenzy' to tip NRL market on its head

A potential million-dollar player has hit the NRL market and – predictably – it has sparked a circus this week.

David Fifita flew south to Sydney on Sunday and reportedly held meetings with both the Panthers and Roosters to discuss his future.

Some reports claim St George Illawarra is also interested in speaking to the State of Origin backrower, while Gold Coast wants to keep him on the glitter strip.

Fifita supposedly has until Thursday night to tell the Titans whether he plans on activating a contract clause for 2025, which would earn him about $1 million.

“There aren’t many marquee players like this on the market, so when someone becomes available you’re going to get a bit of a feeding frenzy,” Canterbury football boss Phil Gould said on Nine’s 100% Footy.

David Fifita celebrates a try.

“I know, (after) speaking to his manager today, that he is confused. He’s got a lot of good options on the table.

“He wants to better himself as a footballer, he wants to win premierships… that probably cancels out a few of the (offers) along the way.”

Here are the burning questions as the 24-year-old weighs up his options:

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WHY WOULD HE LEAVE THE TITANS?

Fifita was one of the most talked-about young stars in the NRL when he signed a deal with Gold Coast worth a whopping $1.25 million a season in 2020.

After a couple of disappointing years his salary was reduced, although the Titans are still prepared to pay more for his services than most rival clubs.

If his decision comes down to dollars and cents alone, he would stick with Gold Coast.

But, simply put, the Titans are a long way off being a premiership contender.

The club has played one final since Fifita came on board, and finished 13th and 14th the past two years. They’ve played only one other finals game since 2010.

The arrival of Des Hasler as coach this season was meant to spark a turnaround but they’ve lost eight of their first nine games.

He should be entering the golden years of his career and his next contract could determine whether he wins an elusive premiership ring or not.

WHAT IS HE WORTH ON THE OPEN MARKET?

While Gold Coast is prepared to pay $1 million to keep Fifita in 2025, Paul Gallen wrote for Wide World of Sports this week the backrower is not worth that much to a stronger club.

Nine’s Danny Weidler believes the Roosters are prepared to offer a four-year contract worth about $3.4m, while Penrith has reportedly tabled a three-season deal.

While Fifita was once the most damaging backrower in the game and has represented Queensland and Australia, his club form in recent seasons has left much to be desired.

If anyone was to pay close to a million dollars a year for his services, they would expect him to be winning games for them on a regular basis.

WHY WOULD HE JOIN THE PANTHERS?

Penrith has cash to splash after representative prop James Fisher-Harris was given an early release to pack his bags and head across the ditch at season’s end. They are also losing five-eighth Jarome Luai.

It’s been suggested Fifita could fill the Fisher-Harris gap in the roster but Paul Gallen – who spent a decade and a half playing in the middle – can’t cop that suggestion.

“He’s a talent, he’s a beast, but he’s not a front-rower. I can’t imagine them signing him as a front-rower,” Gallen told 100% Footy.

David Fifita of the Maroons

“The Panthers could maybe move Liam Martin to the middle, the Roosters maybe move Angus Crichton to the middle if he stayed.

“I don’t see (Fifita) as a front-rower, I don’t think he would see himself as a front-rower.”

The benefit of joining Penrith is, of course, the club’s proven recent record of success.

The Panthers have won the last three grand finals despite losing some top-line talent after each one.

Their pursuit of Fifita is out of character given the club has preferred to bring junior players through.

“Panthers haven’t done this for a long time, they haven’t had to do this for a long time,” Gould said.

“This will be the first time in a long time they’ve jumped out of the crease and bought a player for big money… they must value him highly.”

WHY WOULD HE JOIN THE ROOSTERS?

Similar to the Panthers, the Roosters are a bona fide NRL powerhouse who have three premierships to their name in the last 11 years.

They also have bucket loads of cash to spare under the salary cap from next season onwards.

Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are retiring, Joseph Suaalii and Joey Manu are heading to rugby, and the futures of Daniel Tupou and Angus Crichton remain up in the air.

Reports claim the Chooks could have upwards of $4m to play around with – easily enough to lure Fifita to Bondi.

If Crichton does pack his bags and leave, Fifita would be a ready-made replacement on an edge.

It would also partner him with young halfback Sam Walker – a combination that will no doubt be formed for Queensland at some stage too.

“It sounds like a Roosters buy, doesn’t it? A high profile player for a lot of money,” Gould remarked on 100% Footy.

HOW WILL HE IMPACT THE NRL TITLE RACE?

The Panthers and Roosters are expected to challenge for this year’s NRL premiership.

And while both sides are losing quality players next year, the addition of Fifita to either line-up is a mouthwatering prospect.

Nathan Cleary is the best halfback in the game and a backrower like Fifita running off him would strike fear into the hearts of opposition teams.

It would be akin to when Viliame Kikau was running riot for Penrith.

And across the city on Sydney’s beaches, Fifita could form a similar bond with the aforementioned whizkid Walker.

Middle men are important and backs get all the glory, but backrowers are underrated in terms of impact on a game.

Fifita can be the best in the business on his day, and his arrival at either Bondi or the foot of the mountains could instantly turn that team into a title favourite.