Brisbane’s big money offer to keep David Fifita out of rivals’ hands
As Gold Coast chief Mal Meninga plots an audacious raid on Brisbane’s brightest talents, the Broncos are ready to make their rising star an offer he can’t refuse.
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Broncos stars have declared ferocious David Fifita is now worth $1 million as Titans culture boss Mal Meninga turned up the heat on Brisbane by revealing plans to poach the Queensland Origin sensation.
Brisbane officially launched their mission to keep Fifita on Wednesday with Broncos hierarchy meeting with his management in the first step towards securing the rampaging back-row giant beyond 2020.
The 19-year-old is set for a mega upgrade, with a staggering 10 NRL clubs having lodged interest in Fifita, including the Titans, whose culture chief Meninga is targeting the 108kg forward and his Brisbane teammate Tom Flegler.
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The Broncos are confident they have the salary cap space to retain Fifita but such has been his dominance in recent months, Brisbane colleagues believe the rookie deserves to be in the NRL’s $1 million club.
Fifita’s value could soar even further if he gears up for the NRL finals by outpointing in-form Bulldogs back-rowers Josh Jackson and Corey Harawira-Naera this Saturday night at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
Broncos skipper Darius Boyd and New Zealand Test winger Jamayne Isaako have been blown away by Fifita’s blockbusting brilliance, saying he could name his price on the open market.
“The way he is going Dave is definitely a million-dollar player,” Isaako said.
“Even the way he performs at training with some drills we do, he goes 100 per cent and puts his best foot forward week in, week out.
“There will be a lot of interest in Dave and if he keeps putting in good performances for us, I’m sure his contract side of things will look after itself.”
Boyd, whose organisation and communication has enabled Fifita to flourish outside him on Brisbane’s left edge, said the Maroons dynamo has only scratched the surface of his talent.
The Broncos captain implored the club to do everything possible to ensure Fifita and hulking prop Payne Haas spearhead Brisbane for the next decade.
“I have seen young guys make their debuts but I haven’t seen a young guy play to David’s level and contribute so much so early in his career,” Boyd said.
“Payne Haas is in the same boat, he and Dave are only young in their careers and they are already doing some special things.
“The sky is the limit for them, they are good kids, they do extras, they always want to learn so they are two guys to build our club around.”
In a weekly communique to Titans members, Meninga confirmed he is keen to sign Fifita, who attended Keebra Park High on the Gold Coast.
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“Will we be talking to David Fifita about returning to the Gold Coast,” Meninga said. “Of course we will.”
Fifita’s manager Steve Deacon said NRL rivals faced a tough task prising him from the Broncos.
“If a club isn’t interested in Dave Fifita, they aren’t doing their job,” he said.
“I’ve told clubs if you are going to have a crack at Dave, you will have to have a big crack, they will have to pay a fair bit more to lure Dave away from Brisbane.
“It’s like buying a house, you might think you are paying a lot now but in five years time, it might be a good buy.”
Originally published as Brisbane’s big money offer to keep David Fifita out of rivals’ hands