NRL 2024: What David Fifita signing means for transfer market, possible moves for Jaydn Su'A, Angus Crichton

The Roosters won the race for Titans star David Fifita but the saga isn’t over, with the ripple effect of the signing having the potential for a massive player market shake-up.

NRL 2024 RD07 Gold Coast Titans v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles – David Fifita. NRL Photos

David Fifita’s decision to pack his bags and head for Bondi at the end of the season is set to send shudders through St George Illawarra and potentially heighten plans by Penrith to hit back at the Sydney Roosters by targeting one of their stars.

Fifita informed the Roosters on Thursday afternoon that he would join them next season on a four-year deal worth in excess of $3.4 million, the club pipping the Panthers to his signature and freeing up cash for the Titans to go on a spending spree at the end of the year.

Gold Coast coach Des Hasler suddenly has an extra $1 million in his kitty and a vacant spot in the back row, hence the nerves at the Dragons as they continue to haggle with Jaydn Su’A over his future.

Su’A has been locked in talks with the Dragons for much of the year, backing himself to prove he was worth more than their original offer. He has done just that, playing so well he has vaulted back into State of Origin contention.

The Dragons may now have a fight on their hands to keep him as the Titans look to soothe their wounds and the Panthers turn their attention to other options to strengthen their forward pack.

Su’A will no doubt come on their radar as well, although the club is understood to have worked up a hit-list of alternatives as a contingency in case Fifita decided his future lay elsewhere.

Will the Titans make a play for Jaydn Su'A? Picture: NRL Photos

Crichton is believed to be among those in the mix as he comes to the end of his contract with the Roosters, having been linked with a switch to French rugby union.

Crichton’s manager David Rawlings has been in talks over a code switch with French club Montpellier, although it is understood any deal is reliant on them avoiding relegation.

They are currently languishing in second last spot and no certainty to survive. At the same time, Crichton has found some of the best form of his career for the Roosters and catapulted back into Origin contention, putting him on the radar of clubs in the market for a back rower

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The future of Angus Crichton remains up in the air amid rumours he’ll make a move to French rugby. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Roosters will be loaded in the back row next season and something will likely have to give. Even without Crichton, they will boast Fifita, Sitili Tupouniua, Siua Wong and Nat Butcher.

The Panthers may now turn their attention to Crichton as they look to shore up their forward pack, having missed out on Fifita.

David Fifita signing for the Roosters has big ramifications on the player market. Picture: NRL Photos

For the moment, they will take a breath and reset after their bid to secure the Queensland State of Origin forward came up empty-handed.

The club threw everything but the kitchen sink at Fifita, using father and son Ivan and Nathan Cleary to sell the club to the powerhouse back rower.

In the end, the persuasive powers of Nick Politis and Trent Robinson won the day, leaving Penrith and the Titans to pick up the pieces.

It will be infinitely easier for the Panthers given the quality of their squad. The Titans may need to adjust their thinking, although Fifita’s departure gives them the financial muscle to pursue a half if they decide to steer away from the back row.

The club has been widely linked with Melbourne playmaker Jahrome Hughes, although he has two years remaining on his deal and has publicly pledged his future to the Storm.

His deputy Jonah Pezet, currently sidelined with a knee injury, has also been mooted as a potential target, having impressed in cameo stints for the Storm this season and last.

Originally published as NRL 2024: What David Fifita signing means for transfer market, possible moves for Jaydn Su'A, Angus Crichton