David Fifita: Gold Coast Titans ‘confident’ of retaining star player despite Panthers and Roosters offers

League great Mat Rogers is urging David Fifita to stay at the Gold Coast Titans to carve out a legacy he could not create in Sydney - as the club CEO opens up on the fight to keep him.

League great Mat Rogers is urging David Fifita to stay at the Gold Coast Titans to carve out a legacy he could not create in Sydney - as the club CEO reveals “confidence” it’ll keep him.

Thursday is D-Day for the star forward to decide his future as he mulls sticking with the Titans or making a shock switch to one of the Sydney clubs courting him – reigning three-time premiers Penrith, the Roosters and St George Illawarra.

David Fifita of the Titans is tackled during the round six NRL match between Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

The Roosters have tabled a four-year, $3.4m deal while the Panthers are offering $850,000 a season

Despite re-inking a monster $1m deal in mid-2023 to stay at the Titans through 2026, it has been widely reported he has a contract clause allowing him to become a free agent.

Fifita must decide before Thursday night to either become a free agent ahead of the 2025 season or take up a two-year option to extend his current Titans contract until the end of 2026.

Rogers, who ended his long career as captain of the Titans and a key playmaker in its early years, urged Fifita to stay on, arguing he could carve out a much greater legacy on the Gold Coast than in Sydney with a proven champion club

Mat Rogers

“It’s a huge decision for him and he’s been put into an awkward position mid-season right as the Titans are starting to play well together as a unit,” he said.

“He needs to consider whether he wants to be a catalyst for change on the Gold Coast and make a significant change here from the past 12 years. If he helped take them to a premiership it would be an amazing thing to add to his legacy when he retires.

“If he went to Penrith and won a premiership there, would it add much? They’ve already won three and played in four (finals) in recent years.”

The retired great said a Fifita exit would leave a gap in the team.

“I’d be keen to see him stay and everyone is talking about the money but it doesn’t matter where he goes because he will be getting that kind of money,” he said.

“His footy has been the best I’ve seen in a long time and he is in a good position so it will be difficult to make a decision like this before Thursday.

“That’s a lot of pressure to put on a young man.”

Fifita flew to Sydney over the weekend and met with Panther’s coach Ivan Cleary before returning to the Gold Coast.

While the Dragons have made an offer, Fifita’s manager Michael Hudson has said Fifita would not meet with them, instead weighing up the Titans and Panthers.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Titans CEO Steve Michell told the Bulletin on Tuesday afternoon he was confident Fifita would remain with the team.

“David is a great talent and you can only win your first premiership for a region once,” he said.

“We believe there is a window starting to open here in the next few years under Des’ stewardship and we hope David is a big part of that.

“We love him as a player and a person and we are confident he will be with us moving forward.”