Fifita ‘one of best in game’
THE desperate hunt for David Fifita’s signature has been vindicated after an astonishing vote of support by his peers revealed the 18year-old Brisbane Broncos NRL player is already considered one of the best in the game.
Despite only playing two games this year, the NRL’s official 2020 Players’ Poll has ranked Fifita as the third best backrower in the competition behind Penrith’s Viliame Kikau and Roosters’ Boyd Cordner.
The remarkable result also had the boom Brisbane backrower with more votes than last year’s Dally M Second Rower of the Year, John Bateman.
The show of support will only add to the youngster’s repertoire of recommendations as he prepares to make the biggest decision of his NRL career.
The 18-year-old is in the midst of a bidding war between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with the latter offering him $1.25 million to lure him south.
It is understood a decision will be made before the Broncos clash with the Tigers this weekend.
Fifita is on track to make his NRL return next weekend as he continues to recover from knee surgery he had during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Whether that’s in Brisbane or Gold Coast colours, that is yet to be decided.
Titans ambassador Gorden Tallis said he believed David Fifita has the potential to become immortalised in bronze if he makes the move down the M1 to join the Titans.
“Fifita, I think is a great young kid,” Tallis said on Triple M.
“Fifita can have that longstanding legacy in the game where there will be a statue out the front.
“If (he stays at) Brisbane, well you’re a number.
“If he goes to the Titans and he becomes the franchise player, it’s you.”
Tallis likened Fifita’s potential influence at the Titans as that of Kalyn Ponga at the Newcastle Knights.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold over the weekend appealed to Fifita to remain at the club, despite the financial difference.
Seibold expected to hear from Fifita in the next 48 hours and with the Queensland Origin ace seriously considering the Titans‘ clubrecord offer, the Broncos coach urged him to stay loyal.
“David has been at the Broncos since he was 14 or 15 so he has 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 and sell the club to David, he knows what the club offers and I would love to keep him.”