Bennett keen to get hold of Fifita
WAYNE Bennett has outlined his plan to lure his former protege David Fifita to the Dolphins as the Titans come under mounting pressure to prevent their out-of-sorts $1m man walking out on the Gold Coast.
In a stance that will ring alarm bells at the Titans, Bennett put out the welcome mat for the struggling Fifita, with the super coach confident he can reignite the back-row young gun he blooded at the Broncos in 2018.
The Dolphins on Tuesday announced a mega five-year jersey sponsorship deal with wagering firm Bluebet – and it seems Bennett is ready to take a gamble in a bid to secure a blue-chip recruit in misfiring Titan Fifita.
“He’s in that category of players we are looking for,” Bennett said.
Fifita is contracted to the Titans until the end of next season but his future at Parkwood will become untenable if Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook cannot get the Queensland Origin hulk firing on a consistent basis.
Fifita has reportedly privately reached out to Bennett in recent weeks, seeking advice in a mentoring capacity on ways to recapture the form that saw him labelled the best young forward talent in the code at the Broncos in 2020.
The Titans’ highest-paid player, Fifita’s treatment by Holbrook has been shambolic.
The 22-year-old will not see a long-term future at a club that has either played him out of position at centre, or axed him to the bench many times.
Bennett handed Fifita his NRL debut at the Broncos in 2018 and revealed he wants him in Dolphins colours, saying he is prepared to wait until the new franchise’s second season in 2024 to reunite with the back-row strike weapon.
“It’s not my job to coach other players at other clubs, but I have a lot of respect for Dave,” said Bennett, who tried to sign Fifita to South Sydney last year.
“If he is on the market, yes, I would be interested in David Fifita.”
Bennett also said he would persist in trying to poach Melbourne’s star pivot Cameron Munster, who is contracted until the end of 2023, despite the Storm last week threatening to lodge a formal complaint to the NRL if he didn’t stop.
Bennett has personally spoken with Munster, armed with a four-year, $4m deal.
The Maroons maestro is seriously considering a move to the Dolphins in 2024 and Bennett said he wouldn’t be bullied by the Storm.
“We are quite comfortable with our position,” Bennett said. “The NRL haven’t told us we have broken any rules. They are the governing body, so we will continue doing what we are doing.
“I’m not unconfident (of signing Munster), but we are still in the process of talking to Melbourne and finding out what his future is there.
“I just like what Munster brings. You can see what he brings every week in the NRL.”