Push to give make Bronco David Fifita honorary Gold Coast Ambassador, give him keys to the city

NRL star David Fifita is being urged to head to the Titans, and we’ve taken a look at exactly what the 20-year-old could buy his mum should he opt for the $1.25M payday. SUBSCRIBE TO READ WHAT THE FANS THINK

Paul Weston and Emily Halloran

4 min read

July 15, 2020 - 2:07PM

Gold Coast Bulletin

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THE council is being urged to make Bronco David Fifita an honorary Gold Coast Ambassador and give him the keys to the city, in a last-minute bid to secure the star forward’s National Rugby League signature with the Titans.

Coast tourism and marketing identity Richard Holliday wants city leaders to offer Fifita and his mother a helicopter tour of the Glitter Strip to show off its best assets.

David Fifita with mum Gwen Fifita.

Fifita is expected to make a decision early this week on whether to accept a $1.25 million offer from the Titans for next season or sacrifice $550,000 by resigning with the Broncos.

The former Keebra Park player has told the Broncos that it was his life’s ambition to buy a house for his mum, Gwen.

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In an open letter to Fifita, Mr Holliday wrote: “Not many 20-year-olds have the opportunity to make a life-changing decision and I can’t imagine the thoughts running through your mind and the love you have for your mother and the love she has for her son.

“You have the ability to determine your destiny and career path and if we look at a young Malcolm (Mal) Meninga who signed with Southern Suburbs (Souths) Brisbane as an 18-year-old in 1979 … there is a parallel.

“Souths had not won any silverware since 1953 and a few years after Mal joined, Souths won the Brisbane premiership in 1981 defeating Redcliffe.”

Mr Holliday said the Broncos leadership team had failed to address their team’s poor on field performances, and its management was consumed by the fear of losing Fifita after the Titans had pledged a much better longer deal worth $500,000 more to the young star.

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Titans fans are divided, speculating whether the young representative player’s only motive for signing with the Coast will be the bigger pay cheque, but Mr Holliday predicts the outcome can be a winner for both fans and the player.

“At the Gold Coast Titans you can define your own history. You have every reason to move and I shall list a few; you have the ability to be the senior player for the Titans, Queensland and Australia for the next decade and follow in the footsteps of rugby league immortals, Arthur (Artie) Beetson and Mal Meninga.

David Fifita. Picture: Annette Dew

“You can train at a fabulous new facility, play at a local stadium, live along the 45km of beautiful blue ocean and golden sands in a relaxed lifestyle.

“In time I see you as the Gold Coast Titans captain leading the club to a grand final victory over the Brisbane Broncos, and if Mal Meninga asked me to come and play with his Gold Coast Titans team, I’d be there in a heart beat.

Coast marketing and tourism identity Richard Holliday — the businessman is a Titans fan who wants the city to do everything to encourage David Fifita’s signing. Picture: Regi Varghese.

“If I were Mayor of the city I’d not only give you the keys to the city, I’d come and pick you and your mum up and bring you down to the Gold Coast. I’d make you an honorary Gold Coast Ambassador, I’d be at every game and have your mobile on speed dial should you need anything while settling into our relaxed and friendly lifestyle.”

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING ABOUT FIFITA ON FACEBOOK

Derrill Jeffries: The Titans seem to be to eager to throw an outrageous amount of money on a single player even after its failed previously.

Joan Marsden: My gut feeling is leave Fifita alone, Titans have paid good money before and it didn’t get them anywhere. Would be throwing good money after bad.

Justin Tricker: I hope we don’t sign him. More than anything we need an experienced hooker. Plus the whole Bali saga doesn’t really instil any great confidence regarding Fifita being the face of the club.

Kayne Robinson: I think we’d be better off finding two, half-a-million-dollar players than going for the gamble.

Harry Pamenter: He’s good but not worth that money. What are the Titans management thinking.

Christine Russell: If he isn’t going to sign long term then we shouldn’t be offering him any sort of contract. One year is a stupid deal.

Ben Gilroy: I think if that kind of coin comes with some performance criteria attached. He is an awesome talent. But we have been burnt before.

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DAVID Fifita is expected to make a decision on whether he will be playing next year.

With the chance to repay his mother’s faith high on his wishlist, the 20-year-old will weigh up whether to continue playing for the Brisbane Broncos for $700,000 a year. Or will he return to his roots on the Gold Coast and join the Titans for $1.25m per season?

The Bulletin has searched what property options Fifita could have – either a $1.25 million waterfront home on the Gold Coast or in cluttered Brisbane for $700,000.

Here’s what he could get.

WHAT FIFITA CAN BUY HIS MUM FOR $700K IN BRISBANE