Former Titans football boss Scott Sattler urges David Fifita to leave Gold Coast to reignite career

Sinking Titans star David Fifita has been urged to leave the Gold Coast to reboot his NRL career before it is too late by the club’s former football manager Scott Sattler.

Sinking Titans star David Fifita has been urged to leave the Gold Coast to reboot his NRL career before it is too late.

Fifita will spend the next month on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a problematic ankle that has stalled his 2025 campaign.

The setback comes after the ex-Maroons Origin forward was mysteriously dumped to reserve grade by Titans coach Des Hasler last week.

He played one Hostplus Cup game for the Ipswich Jets before being sent to see an ankle specialist, who recommended clean-out surgery.

On a $1 million-a-season contract at the Titans until the end of 2026, Fifita has now been linked with a departure from the Gold Coast.

Multiple NRL clubs have been informally sounded out about their interest in Fifita in recent days.

Titans backrower David Fifita was demoted to the Ipswich Jets. Picture: Supplied

The Titans insist Fifita is part of their future, but relations between the player and club have become strained.

Fifita, 25, has struggled to produce consistent form for the Titans since Hasler took charge of the club last year.

At his best he is the most destructive forward in the game, but those high expectations have been difficult for Fifita to meet consistently.

The man who helped build the Titans’ foundation roster, Scott Sattler, believes Fifita would benefit from a move.

“I’m a real fan of Dave’s,” he said.

“As much as it would pain me to see him leave the Gold Coast, at 25 he has so much upside in the rest of his career and I’d love to see him go to a club without a lot of comforts.

“I think he is at a point in his career where if he actually gets out of his comfort zone and goes to another club, outside of south east Queensland, he will flourish. Absolutely flourish.

“We will start to see the best of Dave Fifita.

“It’s about taking a bit of ownership and not having those creature comforts around you.”

Fifita can be one of the most devastating players in the comp. Picture: NRL Photos

Fifita went within a whisker of leaving the Titans last year.

He committed to joining the Roosters on a three-year contract, only to backflip days later after the Titans launched a desperate bid to retain him.

It was clear Fifita wasn’t entirely satisfied on the Gold Coast.

But having his family networks and best mate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui at the Titans played a decisive role in him backing out of the Roosters move.

Four-time premiers the Panthers were also keen on Fifita making a move to Penrith, while Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has previously expressed interest in him joining the Raiders.

“I always thought the Roosters wouldn’t be a good fit for Dave,” said Sattler, a Penrith 2003 premiership player.

“I was a bit sceptical of him going to the Roosters. I didn’t think it’d be a good fit.

“I thought the Panthers would have been great, not because of their success, but it’s a small community and he loves having people around him he can trust.

“They are a very family-orientated club that embrace everyone. I don’t know if Penrith would have the cap space, but I’d love to see him there.

“Even a club like North Queensland. I’d love to see him at Canberra under Ricky – he would turn him into the most devastating backrower in the comp.”

Scott Sattler (L) think Penrith would be a good fit for Fifita.

The Titans and Fifita are currently locked in a standoff of sorts.

If the Titans want to push him out the door they will likely have to foot some of his $1 million 2026 salary while he plays for another club.

But that would give Gold Coast the ability to rebalance their lopsided salary cap and free up significant funds to sign a proven playmaker, an area the club has neglected in its roster management.

“In the end it comes down to having marquee players in key positions,” said Sattler, who built the most successful squad in Titans history.

“Tino is marquee, but they have to sell the club to a marquee player in a key position who believes they can build a legacy around getting the club into the finals next year.

“They have to identify the key areas and convince a marquee player to come here and make a difference.

“Sometimes you have to let players go. Although you’ll be paying a little of their salary, you won’t be paying all of it.”

Originally published as Former Titans football boss Scott Sattler urges David Fifita to leave Gold Coast to reignite career