NO ROOM FOR FIFITA RETURN TO RED HILL

THE Broncos have closed the door on $3.5m Titans turncoat David Fifita returning to Brisbane after he quit the club in 2020 to take up a rich threeyear deal with the Gold Coast.

Fifita is racing the clock to return from a knee injury for Friday night’s Queensland derby at Suncorp Stadium, which will be his last opportunity to prove he is ready for State of Origin selection.

Fifita, 22, has been linked with a return to his beloved Broncos, with speculation swirling that he could look to quit the Titans at the end of 2023 and seek a reunion with Brisbane or join ex-coach Wayne Bennett at expansion club the Dolphins.

But a Red Hill homecoming is unlikely, with the Broncos baulking at Fifita’s $1m-aseason price tag and investing in young backrowers Jordan Riki, Brendan Piakura and TC Robati alongside the experienced Kurt Capewell.

Fifita would have to slash his salary expectations to have any hope of returning.

“At this stage we are committed to developing the players we’ve got,” Broncos football chief Ben Ikin said.

“While David Fifita is an enormous talent, no one can deny that, we are focused on getting the most out of the players that currently sit in our top 30.”