Dragons-Titans tension grows as poaching raid launched on David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

In one corner is Ben Hunt, who wants to leave the Dragons for the Titans. In the other is Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who is making a double play for Gold Coast’s two best forwards.

St George Illawarra is set to make a rich play to entice Gold Coast representative stars David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui away from the Titans as tensions between the two clubs starts to grow.

The Dragons have made it clear they will target Fifita and Fa’asuamaleaui when they get through their Origin commitments on Wednesday.

The move shows incoming coach Shane Flanagan’s intent to be aggressive in the player market as he tries to replicate the success he had during his time at Cronulla where he targeted representative stars.

It also adds to the growing angst between the Dragons and Titans as Gold Coast looms as St George Illawarra skipper Ben Hunt’s preferred destination next year.

It is understood the Titans would be prepared to offer Hunt a three-year contract.

While Hunt has had his request release from the Dragons denied it has at the very least bought St George Illawarra – and Flanagan – some time to prove the club is on the serious improve.

David Fifita is officially a free agent. Picture: Getty

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is keen to test himself on the open market.

Flanagan remains confident he can show Hunt that the Dragons’ time as cellar-dwellers will be short-lived and in turn ensure Hunt sees out the final two years of his deal at the Dragons.

And there would be no better way to start than landing at least one of Hunt’s Queensland teammates.

The Dragons expressed an interest in Fifita when he was on the market last November before the damaging back-rower recommitted to the Titans until the end of 2026.

Suddenly Fifita and Fa’asuamaleaui are free agents after a contract clause tied to former coach Justin Holbrook was revealed.

Shane Flanagan is looking to bolster his forward pack. Picture: Getty

Already the Raiders have intimated they are willing to offer Fifita a four-year $1m a season contract.

They Dragons have the salary cap scope to match that offer.

Fifita’s new deal sees his pay dip below that million dollar figure but his form this year could see him once again be part of the seven-figure club.

The Dragons are also desperate to add a representative calibre prop to the squad and Fa’asuamaleaui fits that bill. Fa’asuamaleaui is contracted until the end of next year but has a mutual opening for season 2025 and 2026.

Originally published as Dragons-Titans tension grows as poaching raid launched on David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui