Broncos don’t want Fifita
Titans boss not worried big man will leave
The Broncos have closed the door on a potential homecoming for David Fifita as the Queensland Origin star keeps the Gold Coast Titans guessing over his future.
Fifita (pictured) has been named on an extended bench by Titans coach Des Hasler for Saturday night’s “Sunshine Showdown” with the Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium.
The reigning Dally M backrower of the year is yet to play this season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle which required surgery at training last December.
Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell said Fifita wouldn’t face the Dolphins and while he has been edging towards a playing return, he has also kept Gold Coast on tenterhooks when it comes to his future.
Fifita has until round 10 to exercise a $1m-a-year option in his contract that allows him to either quit the club at season’s end or commit until 2026.
He has previously attracted interest from the Canberra Raiders.
Fifita, 24, had the clause inserted into his $3m three-year contract last season following the abrupt sacking of former coach Justin Holbrook, giving him flexibility to leave if he wasn’t happy under Hasler.
Before Fifita re-signed with the Titans last year he held talks with Broncos coach Kevin Walters about returning to Brisbane, the club he made his NRL debut for in 2018.
But that isn’t a chance this time with Brisbane’s salary cap on the brink of exploding amid the big-money re-signings of Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh in recent times. The round 10 deadline is only six weeks away, but Mitchell said he wasn’t concerned about Fifita walking out on the Titans following their terrible start to the season. “I’m not worried,” he said. “I’ve spent a fair bit of time with Dave over the last week. He’s very excited about the club and getting back on the field.
“He wants to play footy and is starting to see that window open up.
“He’s not back, but getting close. I don’t think he’s playing this week. He’s been training hard and is excited about coming back.
“I was with him in Sydney (last week) and he’s jumping out of his skin. He’s that excited about getting on the field he’s like a teenager at the Ekka.
“We’re looking forward having him back.”
The Dolphins have been linked with Fifita in the past but chief executive Terry Reader said the Redcliffe club to wouldn’t be pursuing his signature. At this time last year the Dolphins had poached Broncos duo Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler and Reader said they were playing the patient game. “No, I think he (Fifita) is contracted to the Titans,” he said. “We’ve got depth for the first time. Last year we were a bit light on. Now we’ve got players missing out on making our 17. It’s nice to be in that position. “We’re building and waiting for the right players.”