Recruitment lesson NRL rivals must learn from Roosters | Weekend Read

Gold Coast were schooled in the art of recruiting by the Sydney Roosters, and as they look to splash the cash following David Fifita’s departure there are lessons to be learned.

David Fifita has signed with the Roosters from next year. Picture: Getty Images

We should have known. The Sydney Roosters rarely sit on their hands for long. They act quickly and decisively. Once they set their mind on something, they chase it with ruthless intent.

The Gold Coast Titans would do well to pay heed. First, they were played off a break by David Fifita and his management. Then they were schooled by the Roosters in the art of recruitment.

The gap between the bottom and the top has arguably never been so wide. The battling Titans can barely win a game, let alone a negotiation.

Meanwhile, the Roosters fooled us all into thinking they were relatively content with what they had even though the exit door is set to swing open over a busy off-season.

They were armed with a war chest, spoke about signing a half if one fell in their lap and sounded out Shaun Johnson about a sojourn back in Sydney before his retirement.

He politely declined when the Warriors were stirred into action. The Roosters didn’t blink as they honed in on their other serious target, ramping up talks with Fifita as they looked to beat Penrith to his signature.

David Fifita is an intriguing figure. Picture: NRL Photo

Fifita is an intriguing character. On the rare occasions that our paths have crossed, this columnist has always found him quiet and polite.

He prefers to distance himself from the media and he has been shielded by the Titans this season while his contract situation has played out.

That should go out the window now. The Titans don’t owe big Dave any favours. For the second time in two years he has made them endure a torturous negotiation and hopefully the Titans have learned a lesson — if players want options in their contracts in future, the club should politely decline and head in a different direction.

Fifita went close to joining Canberra last year but opted to stay on the Gold Coast and give Des Hasler time to show he could coach. Clearly, Hasler wasn’t convincing enough.

Robinson and the Roosters were and they have landed a player of unique talents — he may be the most physically imposing player in the NRL, capable of devastation on his day.

Art by Boo Bailey.

Fifita’s talent has never been in question — the nagging doubt has always been whether he has the passion to extract the most from it. The perception has been that he has been happy to cruise.

As he haggled with the Raiders 12 months ago, I suggested he should seriously consider taking himself out of his comfort zone on the Gold Coast if he ever wanted to reach his potential.

A year later, Fifita has reached that decision himself and the Roosters have landed a good one to add to a stacked back row which will surely be trimmed in the months to come.

The Roosters have also handed Sam Walker a destructive running mate who can make the pair of them look good. Watching that duo wreak havoc in 2025 will be a dagger through the heart of the Titans.

David Fifita’s signing is a boost for Sam Walker. Picture: NRL Photos

Walker spent part of his childhood on the Gold Coast before moving to Ipswich and attending Ipswich Grammar School, a school he shares with Roosters chair Nick Politis.

Imagine if the Titans could have paired Walker and Fifita together. Actually, they won’t have to imagine. They’ll see the destructive potential of the pair when they meet the Roosters next season.

Walker is rapidly turning into one of the best halves in the NRL and he will only get better with Fifita running off his hip. He also needs to be the Roosters’ next priority.

Walker hits the market on November 1 and rival clubs won’t waste any time making a move - if the Titans have any nous, they should make him their main target.

In the meantime, the Gold Coast need to make sure they don’t waste the million dollars that has fallen in their lap. They have money to spend and a desperate need to use it on players capable of strengthening their roster.

They have two of the most passionate and dedicated owners in the NRL in the Frizelle family and Darryl Kelly. They deserve success but they need to shop smart and use their money wisely.

The Roosters have shown them how it is done.

HOW SEA EAGLES SEASON WILL BE DEFINED

Is there a sadder sight in rugby league than what we saw on Thursday night? Another hamstring injury to Tom Trbojevic has rocked Manly and left a legion of Sea Eagles fans as well as coach Anthony Seibold wondering what next for their club and their best player.

No doubt, at some point in the coming days, there will be the usual call for Trbojevic to be moved to the centres to preserve his hamstring. It should be given short shrift.

Trbojevic isn’t just Manly’s best fullback, he is one of the best in the NRL. The Sea Eagles can’t win the competition without Trbojevic in the No.1 jersey.

So let’s move on and concentrate on the real issue. How do the Sea Eagles get through the next month or so without their champion?

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has a big month ahead. Picture: Getty Images

They threw away another game against the Dolphins on Thursday night and the disappointing losses are mounting.

They have lost a handful of games they should have won this season and they now face a spell without their talisman, adding salt to their wounds.

They have been both fascinating and frustrating to watch. At times, they look capable of blowing sides away. At other times, they look incapable of defending a lead, let alone their try-line.

Seibold cut a frustrated figure in the coaches box on Thursday night. His frustration only grew when Trbojevic limped off the field in the latter stages.

The next month could well define Manly’s season. Seibold needs to find a way to win without Trbojevic or their premiership tilt may be over.

Originally published as Recruitment lesson NRL rivals must learn from Roosters | Weekend Read