Compelling case for Fifita to choose Titans narrative

NOT many 20-year-olds have the opportunity to make a lifechanging decision and I can’t imagine the thoughts running through David Fifita’s mind and the love he has for his mother and the love she has for her son.

David, you have the ability to determine your destiny and career path and if we look at a young Malcolm (Mal) Meninga who signed with Southern Suburbs (Souths) in Brisbane as an 18-year-old in 1979 to play alongside former policeman Wayne Bennett there is a parallel.

Souths had not won any silverware since 1953 and a few years after Mal joined, Souths won the Brisbane premiership in 1981, defeating Redcliffe.

If you dig deep into the comments by the Brisbane Broncos chairman Karl Morris, there is not a single word about the future of the club, the role you will play or how they will address the on and off-field performance and they have given no commitment that coach Anthony Seibold will survive the next seven days let alone into the 2021 season.

The CEO Paul White is departing in October and who knows what the fallout from the board’s internal review will be and who will be left standing.

David, what sort of future is that?

The Brisbane Broncos seem consumed by the fear of losing you to the Gold Coast Titans (you can see it in their eyes) to take up a much better deal ($500,000 more) and they have not provided you with a single reason to stay outside the history of the club.

At the Gold Coast Titans you can define your own history.

You have every reason to move and I shall list a few; you have the ability to be the senior player for the Titans, Queensland and Australia for the next decade and follow in the footsteps of rugby league immortals Arthur (Artie) Beetson and Mal Meninga, you can train at a fabulous new facility, play at a local stadium, live along the 45km of beautiful blue ocean and golden sands in a relaxed lifestyle.

In time I see you as the Gold

Coast Titans captain leading the club to a grand final victory over the Brisbane Broncos, and if Mal Meninga asked me to come and play with his Gold Coast Titans team, I’d be there in a heartbeat.

Every last one of 550,000 Gold Coast residents will welcome you and if I were Mayor of the city I’d not only give you the Keys to the City, I’d come and pick you and your Mum up and bring you down to the Gold Coast, I’d make you an honorary Gold Coast Ambassador, I’d be at every game and have your mobile on speed dial should you need anything while settling into our relaxed and friendly lifestyle.

RICHARD HOLLIDAY, SURFERS PARADISE