NRL 2021: NRL investigation of David Fifita, Titans continues after trespassing saga
David Fifita has been in sensational form in his first season with the Titans, but he has a serious matter hanging over his head. THAT AND MORE IN SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.
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Broncos coach Kevin Walters has delivered a stinging appraisal of Anthony Milford’s form as Brisbane’s $1 million playmaker reached out to former mentor Wayne Bennett for guidance.
Sport Confidential understands the Broncos are unlikely to offer Milford a contract next season, opening the door for two Sydney-based rivals, who have expressed interest in the off-contract five-eighth.
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Walters last week axed Milford for the first time in his 185-game NRL career and was hoping Brisbane’s highest-paid player would carve up for Souths Logan in their Intrust Super Cup clash against Norths Devils.
Walters attended Davies Park to keep a close eye on Milford and wasn’t impressed by what he saw as he struggled to impose himself in the Magpies’ 39-22 loss.
“Last week it was a tough game,” Walters said.
“I was out at Souths and watched it ... if I was to be honest, no he sort of wasn’t up to the standard that we believe he can play at.
“But that’s one game of four or five, that’s how many it will take for him to get back to the football we know he can play.”
Asked if Milford will be back in the NRL, Walters said: “It won’t be my decision, it will be Anthony’s decision as to whether he makes his way back into the team or not. He has been given some clear instructions about what he needs to do. When he does that, he will be back in the side.”
While there is interest in Milford, NRL rivals are looking at the 26-year-old as a fullback rather than a five-eighth.
Milford is facing a minimum $500,000 pay cut to save his NRL career next season and a move to the No.1 jumper where he started at Canberra could help get his spark back.
Searching for support, Milford has been in contact with former Broncos coach Bennett, who is now in charge of South Sydney.
Bennett was coach of the Broncos in 2015 when Milford went within a whisker of winning the Clive Churchill Medal.
Bennett was sacked by the the Broncos after the 2018 season but still has strong relationships with many Brisbane players.
FIFITA STILL IN NRL PROBE
Gold Coast Titans and star signing David Fifita are still under investigation by the NRL, nearly four months after the Queensland Origin forward’s bizarre trespassing saga.
The NRL’s Integrity Unit ramped up its probe into Fifita and the Titans following The Courier-Mail’s revelation in February of a secret payment being made to the family involved in the incident last December.
The NRL has interviewed Fifita over the matter as well as the Titans officials who brokered the $10,000 compensation package which included the installation of a security gate and cameras at the Gold Coast property Fifita entered.
Integrity Unit investigators have also spoken to the family involved to gather their side of the story after a man reportedly confronted Fifita with a baseball bat in the house.
The compensation arrangement was not disclosed to the NRL, raising potential salary cap implications for the Titans.
While the amount is insignificant in salary cap terms, it prompted the Integrity Unit to dive deeper into the incident than it originally did after Fifita wasn’t charged by police.
Fifita has been in sensational form during his first season with the Titans, but he still has this matter hanging over his head.
TITANIC MAGIC ROUND SHOWDOWN
ARLC boss Peter V’landys has booked a Magic Round showdown with the Gold Coast Titans to settle the expansion debate.
V’landys will spend the lead-up to Magic Round in Brisbane next month meeting with clubs along with NRL CEO Andrew Abdo.
And the meeting with the Titans promises to be an explosive one as a decision on expansion edges closer.
While they will not say it publicly – the Titans are opposed to expansion and the introduction of a 17th NRL club in Brisbane from 2023.
A new club in South East Queensland will be a direct threat to the Titans, who have just only got back on their feet following years of on and off-field struggles.
The Titans are so sceptical about expansion they have commissioned, with the financial support of most other clubs, an independent report into the merits of a new team in the NRL.
The Titans want to see concrete proof that expansion will benefit the game before they change their minds. Key figures believe the NRL could spend money in other parts of the game.
V’landys and Abdo have promised a decision on expansion will be made by July and the clubs want to see factual evidence that it is the right move for the game.
KEY FIGURE QUITS BRISBANE JETS BID
Former NRL head of football Brian Canavan has quit the Brisbane Jets expansion bid to take up a role with the Queensland Rugby League.
Canavan has been a key adviser in the Jets’ bid to become the NRL’s 17th team but with the expansion race about to hit overdrive, the veteran administrator has severed ties to accept a QRL board position.
The Jets are moving quickly to replace Canavan with former Broncos and Queensland Origin prop Mark Hohn in the mix to join Brisbane‘s prospective second team.
“Brian has taken on a role on the board with the Queensland Rugby League so it would be a conflict of interest if he was involved with an NRL or Intrust Super Cup club,” Jets official Steve Johnson said.
“Brad Tallon was due to leave the QRL board in December and he has left early, so it has fast-tracked the process.
“Brian has been wonderful for our bid.
“We’re looking to replace Brian with Mark Hohn. With his status in the game and his own business acumen, he would be perfect for our bid.
“We wish Brian well moving forward and believe he will be fantastic for the Queensland Rugby League, but he leaves behind embedded wisdom and rugby league IQ in our bid document.”
ORIGIN STAR ON COWBOYS HIT LIST
North Queensland have poached Chad Townsend from Cronulla and now the Cowboys are ramping-up their recruitment drive by targeting Penrith forward Kurt Capewell.
The Queensland Origin utility is a man-in-demand with the Cowboys throwing their hat in the ring alongside arch-rivals the Broncos in a bid to lure Capewell to Townsville.
The 27-year-old Capewell is off-contract at season’s end and unlikely to stay at Penrith as the Panthers juggle salary-cap pressures to keep their star-studded squad together.
The Cowboys are desperate for some experience in the pack and the departure of Josh McGuire to the Dragons has given North Queensland some cash to target Capewell.
“We are OK for outside backs but Capewell is certainly a guy we are looking at to bring some experience to our side,” Cowboys football operations boss Michael Luck said.
RIVALS TARGET BRONCOS’ LATRELL
He is being hailed as the Broncos’ version of Latrell Mitchell and NRL rivals are lining up to sign teenage speedster Selwyn Cobbo.
The 18-year-old fullback from Cherbourg is off-contract at the end of next season but that hasn’t stopped four NRL rivals putting him on their radar including the Cowboys, Newcastle and St George Illawarra.
Another interested suitor is the Titans, who are no strangers to poaching Brisbane’s best young talent after stealing Queensland Origin star David Fifita last season.
Despite his tender years, Cobbo is already 190cm and 101kg and the Indigenous flyer has impressed with two tries from three games playing for Wynnum Manly in the Intrust Super Cup.
Cobbo has already amassed 466 metres in 240 minutes of football, including eight tackle busts in his senior Wynnum Manly debut against Tweed.
Related to former Queensland Origin centre Will Chambers, Cobbo will be promoted into Brisbane’s top 30 next season and could be an NRL fullback in 2022.
LODGE COPS A SMELLY WELCOME
Broncos prop Matt Lodge copped a not-so-friendly welcome from a Darwin local when arriving in the Top End.
The Broncos flew into Darwin on Wednesday ahead of Friday night’s game against Parramatta and were greeted at the airport by some of the Northern Territory’s most famous residents – crocodiles.
Lodge was handling a small crocodile when it started to urinate, sending the Broncos’ big man running.
“I’d rather wrestle the Parra players than that thing,” Lodge said afterwards.
COWBOYS HOLD FIRE ON MORGAN
The North Queensland Cowboys are yet to submit an application to the NRL to have co-captain Michael Morgan medically retired.
Morgan formally announced his immediate retirement a fortnight ago after succumbing to chronic shoulder problems.
Morgan sought multiple opinions from professionals before calling it quits after realising his shoulder would not get back to the fitness needed to play in the NRL.
The Cowboys have already replaced Morgan by signing Cronulla halfback Chad Townsend from next year.
But they are yet to have Morgan’s $1 million salary for the next two years removed from their salary cap.
The NRL will assess Morgan’s application before coming to a decision.
HERMAN STILL IN THE MIX
The Titans insist Herman Ese’ese is part of their plans despite the Newcastle recruit failing to get a game in the NRL this year.
Ese'ese has been languishing in the Intrust Super Cup with Tweed Heads after joining the Titans this season.
He was one of the club’s big signings along with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita, but Ese’ese has found himself unable to crack Justin Holbrook’s top side.
Holbrook has opted to promote Tigers recruit Sam McIntyre from Tweed to replace the suspended Fa’asuamaleaui against the Rabbitohs at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night.
Despite being in the reserves, the Titans insist Ese’ese has a future at the club and will come into calculations at some point throughout the taxing season.
He has been linked with a move to North Queensland, but that is unlikely to happen at this stage.
GET BEHIND KEVVIE
Departing Brisbane Broncos board member Tony Joseph has urged the club to support new coach Kevin Walters as he goes about rebuilding Red Hill.
Joseph’s 10-year stint on the Broncos’ board will come to an end in October after he was tapped on the shoulder.
A benefactor of the club’s $27 million headquarters, Joseph has been involved with the Broncos since their creation in 1988 and is a strong supporter of rugby league in Queensland.
And he urged those in power at the Broncos to get behind Walters as he attempts to guide the club back to success after collecting last year’s wooden spoon.
“Protocol doesn’t allow me to go on,” Joseph said.
“I have enjoyed my time on the board and think the Broncos are going through a new phase.
“I’m very strongly behind the fact Kevin needs every bit of support he needs. It’s not going to happen overnight.
“We have to be patient and allow Kevin to do what he needs to get the Broncos where they need to be.
“It’s starting to happen. We saw it against Penrith last week.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the time I’ve been there. It’s a great club and I’m very passionate. I just want to see them back to where they can be as a leader of NRL.”
AN ODE TO QUEENSLAND LEAGUE
The most comprehensive book on the history of rugby league in Queensland has hit the shelves.
The early beginnings of rugby league in the Sunshine State through to the Maroons‘ record dominance of Origin is captured in ‘More Than Just A Game - A History of Rugby League in Queensland’.
Written by League Queensland Editor Tony Price, the 380-page, hardcover book features more than 500 photos, providing a vivid recollection of the No.1 sport that pulses through the veins of Queenslanders.
The foreword is penned by NRL Immortal Mal Meninga, who says: “This is a book for all Queenslanders and those who want to be. I am sure this book will be a family keepsake to pass on to our next generation.”
The book will be provided to secondary schools across Queensland and is on sale at QBD bookstores.
TSZYU’S NEXT OPPONENT REVEALED
Forget Michael Zerafa. Tim Tszyu is set to return to the ring against unbeaten Spaniard Sergio Garcia in what would shape as the biggest test of his professional fight career.
The Tszyu camp is in talks to bring Garcia to Australia for a July fight as the son of Kostya looks to stay busy following his demolition of Dennis Hogan last month in Newcastle.
The 28-year-old is ranked No.2 by the WBC and has won all 33 fights, 14 by knockout, and has held the European super-welterweight title since 2018, making him a dangerous opponents for the also-unbeaten Tszyu (18-0, 14KO).
Tszyu’s promoters No Limit Boxing are also in talks with another Garcia, 33-year-old Danny. The American is a classy fighter, having won 36 of 39 fights, 21 by knockout, and has claimed multiple world-title belts in two weight classes.
Australian Zerafa is desperate to have a crack at Tszyu but the 26-year-old wants to step up in class against a global opponent as he chases a world-title shot.
“Garcia is 33-0 and No.2 in the world, so he would be a huge test for Tim,” his promoter Matt Rose said.
“Zerafa is an option but to be honest he is third on the list behind Sergio and Danny Garcia.
“We’ve started talks so that’s our priority ahead of a Zerafa fight. We’re looking at a July fight and a number of venues are under consideration.
“It would be another step up in class for Tim, it would be a huge test.”
Speaking at the Paul Gallen-Lucas Browne fight on Wednesday night, Tszyu told Fox’s Main Event he would happily confront Zerafa if required.
“There’s plenty of options. I have always wanted a world-ranked fighter and we are in negotiations with someone from overseas,” he said.
“There is another domestic clash I am keen on and everyone knows that‘s Zerafa. He is a fight that excites me, it’s a fight I want, he has been mouthing off too much and I’ve always wanted to put him in his place.
“If there is no other available option, I will fight Michael.
“My promoter is in negotiations with someone from overseas at the moment, we will see how it goes in the next week and if not, we will look at Zerafa. It’s a fight I’m keen for.”
HEADSPLITTER HARDMAN EYES WORLD TITLE SHOT
Rising Australian middleweight Isaac ‘The Headsplitter’ Hardman could be fighting for a world title later this year.
The former MMA star-turned-boxer (8-0, 6KO) will look to continue his unbeaten run when he faces Mark Lucas (10-2, 3KO) in his ninth professional bout in Canberra on Friday night.
But if his promoter Dean Lonergan has his way, Hardman could have a shot at a world-title as early as this year, with plans in place for the Brisbane bomber to take on Japanese star Ryota Murata (16-2, 13KO).
“A few years ago I had Jeff Horn lined up to fight Murata for a world title and unfortunately it fell through when he lost to Michael Zerafa,” Lonergan said.
“If Isaac continues his winning ways, I‘d like to see him fight Murata for what would be a significant payday and for the WBA regular world middleweight title.
“I have a great relationship with Bob Arum at Top Rank and I will be talking to him in the coming weeks about putting Hardman on the radar to fight Murata in Japan.
“Isaac is 100 per cent a world title contender, he has the weapons and the work ethic to go to the top, but we need to get him to around 12-0 before Murata takes him seriously.”
Originally published as NRL 2021: NRL investigation of David Fifita, Titans continues after trespassing saga
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