Broncos, David Fifita set to cash in on Bali saga

Brisbane are prepared to make David Fifita the richest teenager in the club’s history with a huge contract offer set to be tabled, eclipsing the deal secured by star teammate Payne Haas.

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The Broncos are formulating a $3 million deal to make David Fifita the richest teenager in club history as the rising star’s Bali arrest put Brisbane in the box seat to secure the NRL’s most sought-after signature.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Broncos are on the cusp of making Fifita a contract extension offer worth $750,000-a-season, with a four-year term under consideration.

Fifita, 19, would become the best paid teenager in Brisbane’s 31-year history, eclipsing the $3.4 million the Broncos outlaid to secure Payne Haas for six years.

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David Fifita is set to receive a monster contract offer. Picture: Darren England

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Fifita is the NRL’s hottest free agent for the 2021 season, attracting interest from a host of rival clubs, including the Roosters, Rabbitohs, Warriors and Titans.

The Queensland Origin star has been embroiled in the most tumultuous period of his 35-game NRL career after being locked up in a Bali jail for three days following an alleged incident with a nightclub security guard.

Fifita returned to Brisbane on Tuesday after brokering a “peace agreement” with his alleged victim, believed to be a financial settlement worth upwards of $50,000.

The Broncos sent welfare manager Adam Walsh to Bali and organised a lawyer to broker the compensation package for Fifita, with CEO Paul White embracing Fifita at Brisbane Airport upon his arrival home.

Brisbane provided Fifita plenty of support during his saga in Bali. Picture: Liam Kidston

Before the Bali drama, the Broncos were quietly confident of retaining Fifita despite speculation he could attract offers of $1 million-a-season on the open market.

And the club’s actions to help get their rising star home has the Broncos in the box seat to secure his services.

Broncos winger Corey Oates said he hoped Fifita remained loyal to Brisbane.

“I hope Dave doesn’t go to Sydney,” he said.

“I don’t know what it is about the Broncos but it’s a great club for players. It’s hard to move away from a club like the Broncos with their professionalism and what they do for their players.

Fifita would become the richest teenager in Broncos history. Picture: Dave Hunt

“Everyone is going to throw massive coin at an up and coming star like Dave, he has shown a lot of talent, but hopefully he sees what I see at the Broncos and stays here for a long time.

“He would be appreciative of what the Broncos have done for him the last few days. Putting Bali aside, you get looked after in every department by the Broncos.

“I honestly feel this group is getting on well together too. We are similar ages and if guys like Dave stay, it will help us win a comp.”

Fifita became the first player born this century to feature in the NRL when he made his debut for the Broncos in 2018 as an 18-year-old.

He played all three games of this year’s State of Origin series for Queensland, and was on the cusp of a Kangaroos Test call-up before suffering a fractured eye socket while captaining the Junior Kangaroos.

Fifita’s Maroons teammate Felise Kaufusi said he hoped the dynamic forward remained in Brisbane.

“I think Dave should stay at the Broncos,” Kaufusi said.

Fifita’s contract eclipses that of Brisbane teammate Payne Haas. Picture: Hannah Peters

“I’m not too sure what clubs are chasing him but the key for Dave is where he feels comfortable and happy playing his football, and if that’s at the Broncos, he should stick around.

“If he feels he needs to get out of his comfort zone, then he might look around, but he will only get better as a player at the Broncos.

“He is going to be a superstar of the game. I had time with him in Origin camp this year and I was really impressed with his attitude and his willingness to learn.”

Originally published as Broncos, David Fifita set to cash in on Bali saga