Fifita ‘circus’ rolls on
In-demand star escapes media scrutiny via back door
Penrith’s No.1 fan Mick Fanning made a surprise appearance at the home of the Gold Coast Titans on Wednesday as David Fifita’s contract sideshow became a circus.
Three-time surfing world champion and Gold Coast resident Fanning coincidentally arrived at Parkwood Village moments before Fifita escaped via a back door to evade media following training.
Fanning is a well known Panthers fan, having narrated the club’s recent documentary and celebrated last year’s third straight NRL title with the team.
There is no suggestion Fanning’s appearance at the home of the Titans, which is also includes a golf club and other businesses, was related to Fifita. Fifita, who has been on a six-month media ban as the Titans attempt to protect their $1m-a-season star, moved like dynamic fullback AJ Brimson through a carpark to avoid answering questions about his future.
The Queensland Origin forward blindsided Titans coach Des Hasler and used his two days off this week to travel to Sydney to meet rival coaches Ivan Cleary (Panthers) and Trent Robinson (Roosters), who have offered him multiyear contracts to leave the Gold Coast.
Fifita, 24, has until 8pm on Thursday to activate a twoyear option worth $2m to remain at the Titans until the end of 2026.
The Titans
Fifita letting are resigned to the round 10 clause lapse, which would make him a free agent beyond this season and open to moving to a rival club.
While Fifita continued his trend of dodging NRL media commitments, teammates Kieran Foran and Jaimin Jolliffe were left to answer questions about one of the club’s highest-paid players.
Foran said Fifita hadn’t addressed the issue with his teammates but he hoped the reigning Dally M backrower of the year stayed on the Gold Coast.
“I hope he stays. (There’s been) no indication yet,” he said. “He’s working through that process with his family and management. We’re giving him the time and space he needs.
“I’m not annoyed about (having to answer questions).
The reality is we’re here to do a job and that’s what we’re doing. He’s got to work through the process.
“We’ll afford him that time and space he needs and hopefully it’s done sooner rather than later.
“He’s been such a damaging player for such a long time, it’s no wonder he’s in demand.”
Fifita’s future has been a talking point since the Titans abruptly sacked former coach Justin Holbrook in June last year to make way for Hasler’s resurrection.
Fifita and captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui had clauses in their contracts that made them free agents in the event Holbrook was axed which forced the Titans back to the negotiating table.
Fa’asuamaleaui secured a $12m, 10-year contract laced with player options, while Fifita was handed a three-year $3m extension with the round 10 clause.
That clause has come back to haunt the Titans, who are now expecting the destructive forward to quit the club and give them little time to use the $1m of salary cap space next year. Foran hit back at suggestions the 16th-placed Titans couldn’t be NRL premiership contenders in years to come and insisted Fifita had bought into Hasler’s vision.
“I don’t agree with that,” he said. “People are entitled to their opinion and rightly so. Penrith have been a wonderful club for a long time.
“We’re also building here. It’d be naive to think we haven’t improved dramatically.”
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