Monday Bunker: Crisis could deliver superstar to NRL strugglers

While contract talks have been put on hold amid the NRL shutdown, there could be a bright light at the end of the tunnel for one battling club. WATCH THE VIDEO

• Monday Buzz: Storm v Rabbitohs feud erupts over Smith barb

• More Monday Buzz: Why NRL is eyeing return of one referee

The coronavirus crisis could have a silver lining for a battling NRL club: the most sought-after signature in rugby league.

While contract talks have been put on hold amid the NRL shutdown, the Gold Coast Titans are firming as a serious contender to snare rising Broncos superstar David Fifita next season.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield recently reported that Justin Holbrook’s side had emerged as favourites to sign the off-contract forward.

WATCH THE FULL SEGMENT IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

David Fifita is being chased by a host of NRL clubs. Picture: Darren England/AAP

And with the NRL scrambling to find funding to keep the competition afloat in 2020, the current climate could play into Gold Coast’s hands.

Clubs are bracing for a reduced salary cap in 2021, which could further damage Brisbane’s chances of retaining Fifita on their roster.

“If anything it probably increases the Titans’ chances of getting David Fifita,” Rothfield said on The Monday Bunker.

David Fifita. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

“You look at the Broncos roster — they’ve already re-signed Matt Lodge, Payne Haas and Tevita Pangai Junior.

“They’ve got Anthony Milford and Jack Bird, who have got options their way. They’re on $1.8 million between them (and) they won’t get that money elsewhere — they’ll take up those options.

“They’ve also got to keep Kotoni Staggs who is free to negotiate with other clubs from November onwards.

So the Broncos are in a bit of trouble there to find room.

“There’s no question at all the salary cap next year will be decreased so it’ll be interesting to see how that one plays out.”

OFF-CONTRACT PLAYERS

These are the 184 NRL players off-contract at the end of the 2020 season, whose futures are even more unclear now new deals have been put on hold due to the uncertainty the coronavirus pandemic has created.

Jack Bird’s latest ACL injury could not have come at a worse time for the off-contract Bronco, who is still just 24. Picture: AAP/Darren England

Brisbane

Jack Bird PO

Herbie Farnworth

David Fifita

Jamil Hopoate

Jordan Kahu

Richie Kennar

Rhys Kennedy

Andrew McCullough PO

Anthony Milford PO

Corey Oates PO

Sean O’Sullivan

Izaia Perese

Jake Turpin PO

Ilikena Vudogo

The Raiders are keen to re-sign local junior Nick Cotric. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Canberra

Luke Bateman

JJ Collins

Nick Cotric

Siliva Havili PO

Sebastian Kris

Jack Murchie

Michael Oldfield

Sia Soliola

Tom Starling

Matt Frawley

Young Canterbury half Brandon Wakeham chases Jason Taumalolo. He’s also chasing a new contract. Picture: AAP/Dan Himbrechts

Canterbury

Jack Cogger

Adam Elliott

Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Kieran Foran

Morgan Harper

Kerrod Holland

Marcelo Montoya

Sauaso Sue

Isaiah Tass

Aiden Tolman

Brandon Wakeham

Outside back William Kennedy is looking to cement a place in Cronulla’s starting team, in the hope of extending his contract beyond this season. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Cronulla

Jayson Bukuya

Jackson Ferris

Royce Hunt

Sione Katoa

William Kennedy

Cameron King

Kayleb Milne

Josh Morris*

Toby Rudolf

Scott Sorensen

Siosifa Talakai

Cruz Topai-Aveai

Braydon Trindall

*Will join the Roosters after Round 2

Ryan James, wife Ana and sons Brooklyn and Carter. Picture: Steve Holland

Ryan James wants to play on, despite suffering an ACL injury. Picture: Jerad Williams

Gold Coast

Dale Copley

Anthony Don

Keegan Hipgrave

Ryan James

Sam Lisone

Nathan Peats

Kevin Proctor

Tyrone Roberts

Treymain Spry

Sam Stone

Manly are keen to keep Moses Suli. Picture: Brett Costello

Manly

Cade Cust

Brendan Elliot

Albert Hopoate

Danny Levi

Luke Metcalf

Sam Smith

Moses Suli

Corey Waddell

Tony Williams

Will Cameron Smith play on in 2021 and charge towards 450 games for the Melbourne Storm? Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Melbourne

Jesse Bromwich MO

Sandor Earl

Tom Eisenhuth

Nicho Hynes

Ryley Jacks

Cooper Johns

Felise Kaufusi PO

Max King

Brenko Lee

Isaac Lumelume

Justin Olam

Aaron Pene

Darryn Schonig

Marion Seve

Cameron Smith

Albert Vete CO

Christian Welch

Warriors forward Isaiah Papali'i is sure to generate interest. Picture: AAP/Darren England

New Zealand

Gerard Beale

Adam Blair PO

Lachlan Burr

Jackson Frei

Blake Green

Patrick Herbert

Peta Hiku

Adam Keighran

Taane Milne

Isaiah Papali’i

Leivaha Pulu

Nathaniel Roache

Connor Watson is a free agent at season’s end. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images

Newcastle

Herman Ese’ese

Aidan Guerra

Brodie Jones

Josh King

Mason Lino

Tautau Moga

Tyronne Roberts-Davis

Jacob Saifiti

Connor Watson

The Cowboys’ John Asiata (right) helps bring down Christian Crichton in round two. Asiata’s North Queensland deal expires at season’s end. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

North Queensland

John Asiata

Gavin Cooper

Reuben Cotter

Mitchell Dunn

Kyle Feldt

Jordan McLean PO

Francis Molo

Tom Opacic

Emry Pere

Dan Russell

Tukimihia Simpkins

Shane Wright

Queensland Origin hooker-in-waiting Reed Mahoney is yet to recommit to the Parramatta Eels beyond this season. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Parramatta

Nathan Brown PO

Andrew Davey

Rhys Davies

Haze Dunster

Kane Evans

David Gower

George Jennings

Reed Mahoney

Ethan Parry

Jaeman Salmon

Will Smith

Ray Stone

Brad Takairangi

Peni Terepo

Penrith’s cult hero winger Brian To'o is fighting for a new deal. Picture: AAP/Craig Golding

Penrith

Caleb Aekins

Dean Blore

Shawn Blore

Jed Cartwright

Kaide Ellis

Tyrone May

Brayden McGrady

James Tamou

Brian To’o

Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

Euan Aitken’s future at the Dragons is unclear. Picture: Brett Costello

St George Illawarra

Euan Aitken

Jack de Belin

Adam Clune

Jackson Ford

Tyson Frizell

James Graham

Jacob Host

Josh Kerr PO

Tim Lafai

Joe Lovodua

Issac Luke

Mikaele Ravalawa

Tristan Sailor

Will Alex Johnston chase a fullback spot away from Redfern in 2021? Picture. Phil Hillyard

South Sydney

Tom Amone

Cory Denniss

Kurt Dillon

Bryson Goodwin

Alex Johnston

Patrick Mago PO

Steven Marsters

Jaxson Paulo

Ky Rodwell

Bayley Sironen

Jaydn Su’a PO

Roosters premiership-winning veterans Mitchell Aubusson and Jake Friend are both free agents from November 1. Picture: Brett Costello

Sydney Roosters

Mitchell Aubusson

Jake Friend

Ryan Hall MO

Drew Hutchison

Matt Ikuvalu

Asu Kepaoa

Lachlan Lam

Brett Morris

Tigers veteran Benji Marshall has a big decision to make at season’s end on whether or not he will play on beyond 2020. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Wests Tigers

Oliver Clark

Matt Eisenhuth

Robert Jennings

Chris Lawrence

Benji Marshall

Sam McIntyre

Chris McQueen

Paul Momirovski

Alex Seyfarth

Dylan Smith

Elijah Taylor

Total 184

Players with player options (PO), club options (CO) and mutual options (MO) listed