Gold Coast Titans enigma David Fifita is targeting a grudge match return to save his NRL career

Gold Coast Titans enigma David Fifita hasn’t been sighted in the NRL in two months despite running freely. Now he’s eyeing a big game to announce his return.

Gold Coast Titans enigma David Fifita is targeting a grudge match return against the Broncos that could make or break his NRL career.

Fifita has become the NRL’s most mysterious story following two months on the sidelines.

The $1 million-a-season wrecking ball hasn’t been sighted in the NRL since Gold Coast’s dreadful 50-18 capitulation to the Cowboys on April 26 in Townsville.

He was made a scapegoat and dumped to reserve grade the following week by Titans coach Des Hasler.

Rival clubs received discreet approaches gauging their potential interest in signing Fifita, who is contracted to the Titans until the end of 2026.

But after just one appearance for the Ipswich Jets, before which he promised “the real truth will come out one day”, Fifita hasn’t been sighted on a footy field since.

Fifita, 25, had been complaining to Titans medical staff for months about pain in the ankle he underwent surgery on at the end of the 2024 NRL season.

Subsequent scans were not showing significant damage and Fifita had been taking the field for the Titans with the assistance of painkilling injections.

David Fifita could return against his former club the Brisbane Broncos. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Essentially, it was his word against the evidence and Hasler needed him on the park. It’s not unusual for NRL players to push through pain.

But after he was dropped to reserve grade, the Titans eventually relented and sent Fifita in for what was called “exploratory” surgery.

The surgeon reportedly found minimal damage and Fifita was expected to be back playing within a few weeks. That was nearly two months ago.

Since then, the messages emanating from the Titans’ inner sanctum at Parkwood have been mixed as the club has plummeted to wooden spoon favouritism and last place on the NRL ladder.

A few weeks ago there were suggestions that the Titans were happy for Fifita to get back into the action, but he was still reluctant to play. To say his faith in the club’s management of him has eroded would be an understatement.

David Fifita’s attacking numbers for the Titans in 2025

Appearing close to a return, Fifita was named 18th man for last Sunday’s game against Parramatta before failing to make the final cut. He didn’t make the 22-man squad for Sunday’s clash with the Cowboys at all.

Now Hasler is saying Fifita won’t be back until Gold Coast’s round 19 game against Brisbane on July 13 – after next week’s bye – nearing three months since his last NRL appearance.

That is if he is selected.

Fifita has told people he is right to go and his teammates echoed those sentiments after a Wednesday training session, so continuing the mystery of David Fifita.

“He’s been training with us for the last two or three weeks and is moving well,” Titans forward Jacob Alick-Wienke said.

“If you went out and watched him you’d think he’d be in this week.

David Fifita played one game for the Ipswich Jets. Picture: Supplied.

“I think they’re being cautious with it. His ankle is touch and go. I think it’s all on his feel and how he’s going.

“He should be fit for the Broncos game because he’s been training really well the last couple of weeks.”

After Sunday’s loss to Parramatta, Hasler declared Fifita had undergone a “procedure” last Friday.

Upon digging, that “procedure” was routine treatment and a doctor’s review, not further surgery.

At his best, Fifita is the most destructive forward in the NRL – as evidenced by his 2021 debut season at the Titans when he netted 17 tries in 22 games after quitting the Broncos.

Titans coach Des Hasler. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

At his worst, he is an aloof character whose resolve and commitment on the field has been questioned.

Right now, no-one is quite sure where Fifita is sitting.

“He’s enjoying trying to get back fit and healthy,” Alick-Wienke said.

“When we see Dave at his best he is fit and firing and taking 20 carries a game and getting really involved in games.

“He’s been getting his fitness levels up and ready for that Broncos game.”

A game that could provide us with the answers to what David Fifita’s NRL future holds.