NRL 2024: David Fifita backflips on Sydney Roosters deal, will stay at Titans to 2026
Titans star David Fifita has reneged on his deal to join the Sydney Roosters, instead recommitting to the Gold Coast. But Phil Gould believes it could be a blessing in disguise for the Chooks.
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Gold Coast have outlined plans to keep David Fifita at the club for life after the Queensland Origin star sensationally reneged on his Roosters deal to stay loyal to the Titans.
Fifita dropped a bombshell at Bondi on Wednesday, backflipping on the Roosters just six days after initially committing to a four-year, $3.4 million deal to link with the Sydney glamour club from next season.
The Roosters took aim at Fifita in a statement, alleging the Titans forward and his manager had reached out to the club first to discuss a move away from the Titans.
But Gold Coast ultimately won the battle for one of the code’s most destructive forwards, with Fifita confirming he had activated an option to remain at the Titans until the end of 2026.
The 24-year-old will become a free agent again from November 1 next year, but the Titans have no plans to lose Fifita as they look to secure the back-row wrecking ball for the next decade.
“Dave is at a point where his career is only a few seasons in, but he has the better part of eight to 10 years ahead of him,” Titans boss Steve Mitchell said.
“We want him to be a long-time player for the organisation and hopefully finish his career here.
“We’re thrilled to have Dave staying here.
“He can see the club developing under Des Hasler’s program and this is wonderful news that he is taking up the option with us.
“David Fifita playing a role here is critical to our success and we always felt he was happy here.”
The Roosters were confident they had their man after billionaire club chairman Nick Politis held talks with Fifita to pitch his vision for the Maroons forward’s career progression at Bondi.
Since joining the Titans from derby rivals the Broncos in 2021, Fifita has had a rollercoaster stint at Parkwood, fuelling fears the 107kg powerhouse was ready to embark on a new chapter in Sydney.
But the Gold Coast had one final trump card. Mitchell said Fifita’s reluctance to leave his family was a critical turning point in the decision.
“For the most part, central to this decision is Dave wanting to stay close to his family and the direction the team is taking and his progression,” he said.
“We received a phone call yesterday afternoon advising that Dave would be staying. We had conversations yesterday and they said they would take up the option to move forward.
“I was quite surprised that Dave made the decision to go to the Roosters given how richly connected he is to his family and his community.
“Watching his football over the last six weeks, he can see there is something quite phenomenal about the Titans under Des and where we are going as a club.
“When he decided to take up the two years, I was really pleased because I know what the Titans can do for him and it keeps him connected to what is critically important to him, which is family.
“The sum total of those parts got Dave committed to moving forward for the coming seasons.”
The Roosters revealed they had withdrawn their offer to Fifita and he had recommitted to the Titans until the end of 2026.
“Despite his management making the initial approach to the club and Fifita personally informing the Sydney Roosters’ chairman and head coach of his intent to join the Club last Thursday, Fifita has since expressed doubt about his decision,” the Roosters said.
“Consequently, the club has elected to withdraw its offer with (the) view that it is in the Roosters’ best interests.
“The club wishes Fifita all the best.”
GUS: ‘ROOSTERS HAVE DODGED A BULLET’
Phil Gould says the Sydney Roosters have “dodged a bullet” after David Fifita backflipped on joining the club.
Gould launched a stinging attack on the Titans back rower who he doesn’t think would have been a good fit at the Roosters and questioned his work ethic.
“Personally, I think the Roosters have dodged a bullet,” he said on Wide World Of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus.
“I don’t think he was going to suit them and I found it a strange signing for them – I’ll stand by that. I’m not saying I don’t think David Fifita is a good player. He is a powerful ballrunner, he’s obviously an impact player and he can certainly win games for you.
“I couldn’t see him, from what I’ve seen of his career, fitting into their work ethic … I don’t understand it. I just haven’t seen it in his career to date.”
Gould also has an issue with Fifita’s defence.
“He doesn’t value it – he likes to play when they’ve got the ball, but he’s not so keen on it when they haven’t got the ball,” Gould said.
“He’s not what I would call a work ethic player, he is a powerful ballrunner. It’s like under sevens stuff – even on the weekend watching him defensively, he would have a lot of work to do to fit into the Roosters club that prides itself on fitness, work ethic and defence,” Gould said.
“He didn’t strike me as a Roosters player.”
THE CONTRACT CALL
Fifita’s shock call last Thursday to join the Roosters kicked Hasler and the Titans into gear, and a gritty 20-18 win against the Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium on Mother’s Day, after sections of the crowd booed Fifita, played into Gold Coast’s hands.
“These guys have to make big decisions about a short career span and they’ve got to make their decisions at a junction in a contract,” Mitchell said.
“Dave’s real experience was the week and giving him a chance to actually process where he’ll be, what that means.
“His family is critical to him and that’s a really big part of it. His mum and grandmother come to the games and his family engage with all our club events.
“He really enjoys the environment here with Des. Having the week to process that, without the public scrutiny, helped him make a positive decision.
“He said ‘I’m here, I’m on and I want to get going’.”
Instead of going back to the negotiating table after Fifita’s contract option expired, which would have given them an opportunity to do a new deal and potentially save money, the Titans decided to honour his $1 million-a-season extension package.
“We just wanted to move on and keep the relationship as it was,” Mitchell said.
“It was basically sitting there. It was an opportunity for him to stay with us and take it up.
“We didn’t want to change the contract. We want to get back to work.”
Fifita’s decision is a major coup for the Titans, who faced competition from both the Roosters and Penrith for his signature.
“I’m extremely grateful for the time and interest shown in me over the past two weeks, but upon further reflection, I have made the decision that I want to remain a Titan beyond 2024,” Fifita said in the statement.
ROOSTERS STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND FIFITA MOVE
The Roosters only became aware of Fifita’s unrest on Tuesday night when his management reached out to Politis.
Politis was frustrated by the situation. The Roosters withdrew their offer after it became evident Fifita was honouring his Titans deal.
“It is hard to understand,” Politis said.
“He approached us. And did the same with Penrith. After coming to Sydney to meet with Trent Robinson (coach) and the rest of the coaching staff, it’s hard to understand how he can display and create uncertainty.
“We’ve decided to withdraw our offer.”
Mitchell dismissed suggestions Fifita wasn’t seeing eye-to-eye with coach Hasler, who has looked to inject a hard edge to the Titans since taking over from Justin Holbrook in pre-season.
“We think he’ll play a critical role in us being successful and has a great relationship with the coach – his footy over the last six weeks speaks to that,” Mitchell said.
“He had multiple conversations with the coach during the week about his footy.
“Des is excited. This is an endorsement around Des’ leadership.
“You can see the last half-a-dozen rounds with the way that team is turning up that this is a critical endorsement of that program and Des’ leadership in what we are doing and what we are going to become.
“He really enjoys the environment here with Des.
“Having the week to process that, without the public scrutiny, helped him make a positive decision.
“He said, ‘I’m here, I’m on and I want to get going’.”
FIFITA CALL A BONDI DOUBLE BLOW
This could now become the double backflip.
Fifita’s partner, Shaylee Bent, appears certain to spurn interest from the Roosters’ NRLW side and remain with the Titans.
Bent and Fifita were expected to join the Roosters as a package.
But Fifita’s backflip means Bent is now likely to remain a Titan under coach Karyn Murphy.
Fifita and Bent live together on the Gold Coast.
“We haven’t started that conversion (about Bent staying) yet but circumstances now open the door for her to stay through 2025 and 2026 under Karyn, which I think she is pretty excited about,” Mitchell said.
“We are really excited about having Shaylee with us – she is a great athlete but is also a wonderful person to have around the club and community.
“She is working here for IUIH, which is the institute of urban indigenous health and Deadly Choices. It’s wonderful to have her with us.”
TITANS THRILLED WITH FIFITA COUP
Mitchell confirmed Fifita was staying at the club after high-powered talks with his management on Tuesday afternoon.
“We’re thrilled to have Dave staying here,” he said.
“He can see the club developing under Des Hasler’s program and this is wonderful news that he is taking up the option with us.
“David Fifita playing a role here is critical to our success and we always felt he was happy here.”
Mitchell said Fifita’s reluctance to leave his family was a critical turning point in the decision.
“For the most part, central to this decision is Dave wanting to stay close to his family and the direction the team is taking and his progression,” he said.
“We received a phone call yesterday afternoon advising that Dave would be staying. We had conversations yesterday and they said they would take up the option to move forward.
“I was quite surprised that Dave made the decision to go to the Roosters given how richly connected he is to his family and his community.
“Watching his football over the last six weeks, he can see there is something quite phenomenal about the Titans under Des and where we are going as a club.
“When he decided to take up the two years, I was really pleased because I know what the Titans can do for him and it keeps him connected to what is critically important to him, which is family.
“The sum total of those parts got Dave committed to moving forward for the coming seasons.”
THE REACTION
It is understood Fifita’s Gold Coast teammates had no idea that he was contemplating changing his mind and were shocked by the news on Wednesday morning.
However, under the game’s contracting rules Fifita had 10 days to change his mind and he has taken advantage of that to stay on the glitter strip.
Foran said it was a sign that the club was moving in the right direction.
”Mate, huge for the Titans,” Foran said. “Shows the direction the club is heading and where he feels we are going and clearly wants to be a part of it.”
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Originally published as NRL 2024: David Fifita backflips on Sydney Roosters deal, will stay at Titans to 2026
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