Titans reportedly increase David Fifita offer to $1.25m a year for three years
There has been a dramatic development in NRL freak David Fifita’s contract saga with the Broncos and Titans throwing around silly money.
Brisbane Broncos forward David Fifita is at the centre at one of the NRL’s wildest bidding wars with the Gold Coast Titans continuing to throw money at the 20-year-old freak.
Fifita has just 37 games under his belt but is already one of the game’s most damaging forwards with plenty believing that his success at such a young age his him on the path to be one of the game’s greats.
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But while Fifita attempts to make up his mind between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the Titans have reportedly gone over the top, with a three year $3.5 million deal on the table according to The Courier Mail, worth $1.25m next season before $1.1m for the 2022 and 2023 season.
7 News reported the deal is $3.2 million over three seasons.
The Titans had previously offered $1.1 million, which Fifita accepted before backflipping and admitting he wanted to stay in Brisbane a fortnight ago, before the Titans upped the offer to $1.25m for one season.
Fifita was reportedly set to seek new management at the end of the season, attempting to find a one-year deal before a long-term deal from the 2022 season negotiated by a new management group.
While there is a disparity between the two totals, what isn’t in dispute is the Broncos aren’t able to match the money on the table, although they have matched the length.
The Courier Mail reported the Broncos can offer $700,000 next season before $800,000 in 2022 and $900,000 in 2023.
It would see the offer $1.05m short of the Titans’ offer.
Fifita has reportedly been discussing the decision with his mother and a financial adviser over the past fortnight with a decision expected on Monday.
More to this - Expecting Fifita announcement Monday... expecting it to be Fifita to the Titans.
— Chris Garry (@ChrisGarry7) July 24, 2020
We know he changes his mind so not done til its done. He's genuinely torn but Titans are massive favs. https://t.co/Ov2uHerPLE
But while answering questions from fans, Channel 9 commentator Phil Gould has labelled the offer “irresponsible money” from the Titans, calling for Fifita to look at a stronger club for less cash.
I think itâs irresponsible money from Titans. Normally you wouldnât consider leaving the Broncos for a struggling Titans. However, Broncos are hardly in a good space at the moment. If I was advising Fifita I would be looking at the stronger clubs for less money. Heâs still young https://t.co/TMYG1rJvxK
— PhilGould15 (@PhilGould15) July 24, 2020
Itâs irresponsible. Totally irresponsible. https://t.co/o9C8m6YyH1
— PhilGould15 (@PhilGould15) July 24, 2020
It comes after rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns also recently rated the players worth a million dollars, with all eight players coming from the halves or fullback.
“A million dollars for me for a back-rower is quite high, I think the Broncos said they’d only go to seven or eight hundred (thousand), something like that,” Johns said.
“I think the Broncos are right, I think about $800,000, he’s an amazing prospect. He could be one of the best back-rowers in the game but he’s only 20 and I don’t think I’d be paying anywhere near that million dollars, around 750 to 800 (thousand) for a back-rower.”
He even left off Cowboys million dollar star Jason Taumalolo, while Gould tweeted that the North Queensland superstar “deserves it”.
“Jason Taumalolo is on big contract. He’s regarded as best forward in game. He is experienced. He deserves it. But can’t win games for Cowboys if doesn’t have the talent around him. Young David Fifita is a talent. But can’t win games for Titans on his own. Not worth that money,” he tweeted.