NRL 2024: Titans coach Des Hasler urged to punt David Fifita, sign Melbourne Storm star Jahrome Hughes
David Fifita has been leading the Titans on and now Gold Coast coach Des Hasler has been urged to punt the Maroons forward and make an irresistible offer to a Melbourne Storm star.
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Titans coach Des Hasler has been urged to punt David Fifita and use the $1 million-a-season savings to make Storm star Jahrome Hughes an irresistible offer to return to the Gold Coast.
Fifita is contemplating quitting the Titans and signing with a rival club after meeting with NRL powerhouses the Panthers and Roosters in recent days.
The Queensland Origin forward has until Thursday night to activate a clause in his contract to remain at the Titans for a further two years.
Fifita, 24, is making the Titans wait until the eleventh-hour to inform them of his decision, but his movements in recent days suggest he is set to depart the Gold Coast following four turbulent years.
Fifita had the round 10 clause inserted into a three-year contract extension last year following the abrupt sacking of former coach Justin Holbrook.
It gave the former Bronco time to assess the Titans’ direction under Hasler before deciding whether his long-term future was at Parkwood.
Having met with rival clubs in recent days suggests Fifita – who has been on a six-month media ban at the Titans – is considering walking out.
But it may not be the worst outcome for Hasler and the Titans, who are anchored in 16th spot on the NRL ladder with a 1-7 record.
The Titans have invested heavily in forwards, with Fifita, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika chewing up $3 million-a-year of the club’s salary cap.
That money would be better spent elsewhere, particularly in the halves where Hasler has struggled to find a consistent combination.
The Titans are rumoured to be chasing contracted Melbourne halfback Hughes, who made his NRL debut for Gold Coast in 2013 and has been linked with a return home to finish his career.
Former Queensland forward Corey Parker said the Titans should use Fifita’s salary to bankroll a Hughes homecoming.
“If they did lose Dave, it’s not the end of the world. I would use his money to go and chase Jahrome Hughes,” he said.
“The Titans already have a lot of forwards. They have Tino, Moe Fotuaika, Beau Fermor, they have plenty of forwards, but the problem is they have no halves, so if Dave leaves, it could give them the cash to make a play for a halfback like Jahrome Hughes.
“I think Dave Fifita played his best football last year and some of the criticism of him has been unfair. He was a Dally M back-rower last year in a team that missed the finals, so I think he did really well.
“But if he goes, it absolutely frees up money in the salary cap, so it could be a chance for the Titans to improve their halves.”
Fifita joined the Titans from the Broncos heading into the 2021 NRL season on a massive $3 million three-year contract, scoring 17 tries in his first campaign and helping the club to a drought-breaking NRL finals appearance.
He inked an extension with the Titans in March last year, but had a clause inserted that made him a free agent in the event Holbrook was sacked.
The Titans were forced to renegotiate with Fifita after giving Holbrook his marching orders in June last year and agreed to instate a new clause which gave Fifita the power to quit the club or take up a two-year extension before round 10 this year.
That deadline is quickly approaching and Titans ambassador Gorden Tallis said the club had done plenty to placate Fifita.
“I haven’t spoken to Dave, but I think he is happy, I think he is playing really good footy,” he said.
“They have showed a lot of loyalty and faith in Dave, they’ve put in all sorts of clauses, and if you ask the punter in the street who is one of the highest paid players at the Titans, they will say Dave.
“They have put money into his account every week. I didn’t like it when Mitchell Moses shopped himself around every week and I hope Dave doesn’t do it.
“It’s a bad look for the fans and the player. That’s not having a shot at Dave, I’m referring to his management.
“The last time he was tossing up between the Raiders and Titans and the Raiders offered him the farm and it was a big decision.
“If it’s about premierships, you think Dave would have just stayed at Brisbane, one of the most powerful clubs in the game.
“Dave has been very well paid at the Titans.”
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