CALL LOOMS
Fifita expected to decide future within next few days
BRISBANE coach Anthony Seibold has appealed for David Fifita not to walk out on the club as the superstar backrower prepares to make the biggest decision of his NRL career.
It’s understood Fifita will decide whether to sacrifice $550,000 and commit to Brisbane – or accept a $1.25 million offer from the Gold Coast
Titans – before Friday night’s away clash against the Tigers.
The Broncos are sweating on a decision.
Fifita (pictured) was so stressed over the fallout of his Broncos backflip last week he went to ground over the weekend to mull over the toughest decision of his fledgling career with his mother Gwen, who has played an active role in negotiations.
Seibold expects to hear from Fifita in the next two days and with the Queensland Origin ace seriously considering the Titans’ club-record offer, the Broncos coach urged him to stay loyal.
“David has been at the Broncos since he was 14 or 15 so he has had a long-term attachment to the club,” he said.
“I love coaching him, he has some fantastic friends at the club, but it’s David’s decision, it’s his family’s decision.
“I won’t try to sell the club to David, he knows what the club offers and I would love to keep him.”
Broncos skipper Alex Glenn admitted the playing group weren’t trying to pressure the youngster either and instead were making light of his possible pay check.
“The only sledging is we make him shout all our lunches,” Glenn said.
“It’s a big pay packet if he gets that payment, we have all been in the same situation so we understand the pressures and we don’t want to add to that pressure.
“There is always banter around him shouting coffees.
“We can’t play footy for the rest of our lives.
“Although clubs would love to keep talent around, it comes down to the player and what’s the best decision for himself.”
“I know making my decisions it was easy because all I wanted to do was bring a premiership back to Brisbane, but the way I think is totally different to other players.”
Glenn said the players understood the gravity of Fifita’s decision and wished him well on whichever way he goes.
“It’s Dave’s decision, and his family’s decision and if it’s to go to another club all we can do is wish him well,” Glenn said.
“But I know the player and person he is and I would love him to be around longer, not just the talent but the character he is and what he brings to this team.
“His value is everything he brings to the team as well.”
Titans culture boss Mal Meninga last week tabled a stunning $1.25 million contract in a last-ditch bid to bring Fifita to the Gold Coast.
The contract saga took a dramatic twist last week, with Meninga having one last crack at the superstar back-rower, who initially quit the Broncos, then sensationally backflipped.
Fifita contacted Seibold on the Tuesday night to advise him he would be joining the Gold Coast next season, on a monster $1.1 million contract.
When he woke the following morning, the 20-year-old had a change of heart, advising Seibold and the Broncos hierarchy he would stay on a $700,000 deal, after Brisbane refused to enter a bidding war.