Sydney clubs ‘feeling used’ over Fifita
RUGBY LEAGUE: Indebted to Brisbane for helping in his release from a Balinese jail cell, Queensland star David Fifita is poised to spurn $4m offers from Sydney clubs to re-sign with the Broncos.
And News Corp has been told Sydney clubs are “feeling used” during Fifita's contract negotiations.
Brisbane's delicate rescue of a relieved Fifita from a Bali prison last month has made the 19year-old feel obligated to commit to a four-year deal.
Fifita, off contract after next season, has attracted interest from 12 NRL clubs, including the Roosters, Canterbury, Parramatta
and South Sydney.
While Fifita has yet to formally agree or re-sign, Sydneybased recruitment managers are adamant he will not head south as had been suggested.
A well-known recruitment manager said: “I think we're all being used. He is staying at the Broncos. There's been a wall go up around him from his management team since Bali.”
Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill, however, said his club had discussed the possibility of seeking contract talks with Fifita.
“We would be keen to have a chat to him at the right time. There's no harm having a chat and finding out more. From what I understand, there's been no movement from his agent in preparing to talk to anyone,” he said.
“Those types of players (like Fifita) would enhance our squad, no doubt. At the right time, we will put our hand up to have a conversation with him and to determine whether the Bulldogs are a club he wants to play for.”
The NRL continues to investigate Fifita's Bali drama with the findings yet to be made public. Fifita captained Australia's Junior Kangaroos against France in October.
Dean Ritchie