Kieran Foran key to Gold Coast’s $3.5m David Fifita conundrum

Titans million-dollar man David Fifita’s form has again come under the microscope. But one move could fix all of his problems in 2023.

David Fifita and Kieran Foran

Titans million-dollar man David Fifita’s form has again come under the microscope — and one man could be the key to unlocking the 22-year-old’s potential.

Justin Holbrook’s Gold Coast side have struggled in 2022 and sit at the bottom of the ladder, while Fifita has had his own issues with injuries hampering his game time.

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At his best the barnstorming backrower is a genuine game changer, and Fox League’s experts believe the Titans halves are partly responsible for Fifita’s downturn in form, not feeding him the ball in strong positions.

While fans may not see Fifita’s best in 2022, one man could be the difference in 2023 — Kieran Foran, who will join the Titans next season after signing a two-year deal worth a reported $400,000 a season.

“David can do things that not many other players can do in the competition, when he does it he beats two, three, four players,” Cooper Cronk said.

“I think that whole thing comes together next year for them, Holbrook will be under immense pressure at the start of next season.

“They have got to find David Fifita’s role and have got to find those halves that fit with Kieran Foran.

“I would put Kieran with David Fifita.”

David Fifita runs against the Broncos. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“He (Foran) plays direct, he will tell David what his role is and he will tell him where to run,” Benji Marshall said.

“I think Kieran is going to help him a lot, David fairly or unfairly cops a lot of criticism based on what he is earning, but he has been hampered by injury this season and most of the tries he has scored have been through individual brilliance.

“So if they can find out a way to bring out his best, I think that is up to the club as well.”

Fox League’s Corey Parker also suggested that Fifita may be looking for the exit.

Fifita is one of the most heavily criticised players due to his hefty price tag, and the talented forward may look to move somewhere than can harness his natural ability.

“Dave is still quite young, and he is a part of that young brigade, he cops a lot of criticism because of the money he is on,” Parker said.

“When you sign a big deal it comes with a lot of expectation, David is still getting ball for the sake of getting it, he needs to have some plays set up for David to then receive the ball when it is the right time.

“Not just when he is the big kid, he is our best player, give it to him let’s hope he scores... they need to really set him up.

“That takes time, it takes combination, this year he has been a little bit hampered by injury, but do they keep David?

“There has been some murmurs on the Gold Coast that maybe he wants to move on.

“There is a little opportunity if that is the case, but they need to focus on the now.”

Originally published as Kieran Foran key to Gold Coast’s $3.5m David Fifita conundrum