Why David Fifita walked out on Broncos to join Titans

While Gorden Tallis is David Fifita’s mentor and idol, the Broncos legend scoffs at suggestions he encouraged him to join the struggling Gold Coast. But he did give him one piece of advice.

Broncos legend Gorden Tallis has made a pact to mentor David Fifita for the rest of his career as the Titans-bound back-row superstar braces for the pressures of turning the Gold Coast into a premiership force.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Fifita sought assurances that Tallis, a Queensland icon he idolises, would help him as an advisor when he joins the Titans next year on a $3.5 million deal that will make him the highest-paid forward in the NRL.

Fifita dropped a bombshell on the Broncos last week, quitting the NRL’s richest club to sign a three-year deal with a struggling Titans outfit regarded as Brisbane’s inferior little brother.

But the true machinations of Fifita’s leap of faith can today be revealed.

The 20-year-old was so torn over the decision he intended to stay loyal to Brisbane a fortnight ago and he privately sought the counsel of several trusted people, including Tallis, as he agonised over the Broncos-Titans tug-of-war.

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David Fifita agonised over the Broncos-Titans tug-of-war. Picture: Annette Dew

Tallis has ties to both the Broncos and Titans. He spilled blood for Brisbane and captained the club, but has developed an association with the Titans since being named a Gold Coast ambassador five years ago.

Tallis scoffed at any suggestion he ‘brain-washed’ Fifita into leaving the Broncos, saying the only advice he gave the Queensland Origin star was not to worry about the perceived burden of being a $1 million player.

The 107kg wrecking ball will be expected to spearhead the Titans’ charge into the finals next year and Tallis pledged to support Fifita for as long as he needs career guidance.

“I have made a commitment to Dave that I will help him for the rest of his career,” said Tallis, the former Queensland and Australian skipper.

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Gorden Tallis has made a pact to mentor David Fifita for the rest of his career. Picture: Dylan Robinson

“I had a good chat with Dave (last Thursday week) and he asked me if I would be on the Titans’ coaching staff.

“I said no I won’t be and he seemed a bit disappointed by that. I told Dave I will never step on (Titans coach) Justin Holbrook’s toes or anyone who coaches him in his career.

“But one thing I assured Dave is that I will be there for him if he wants a mentor.”

Over the past year, Fifita has struggled with a lack of trust. It was largely shaped by his horrific experience in Bali last November, when he was arrested following an alleged altercation, locked in a filthy police cell, and forced to pay $30,000 to secure his return to Australia.

Fifita felt he was the victim of a blackmail bid and it opened his eyes to the potential perils of NRL celebrity.

His depth of trust was tested again, closer to home, last month when news broke that Fifita had first informed Broncos coach Anthony Seibold he would be joining the Titans, only to backflip 24 hours later.

Fearing an internal leak, Fifita was so furious he confronted Broncos officials asking how sensitive personal information, known by only a handful of people, could possibly reach the public domain.

Sixteen days after Fifita’s informal witch-hunt, he officially signed with the Titans.

David Fifita talks to Broncos coach Anthony Seibold at training this week. Picture: Annette Dew

It is too simplistic to say money was the only factor in Fifita’s decision. A footballing student who absorbs league detail, Fifita wanted confidence he could improve as a player in an environment where he could feel comfortable.

The straight-talking Tallis is one person Fifita feels he can trust. Their simpatico is palpable. Tallis was an explosive back-rower and so is Fifita. Culturally, the pair share links to the Torres Strait, the same region in which Fifita’s mother, Gwen, was reared.

Despite Fifita’s muscular, tackle-busting frame and genetic gifts, Tallis was surprised at the 37-game rookie’s lack of true belief during their discussion, which included Gwen.

“That’s the part I love about Dave and why I want to help him,” Tallis said.

“I could hear something in his voice that he lacked a bit of belief but he shouldn’t. We can see this unbelievable talent, but he yet doesn’t see it, and that’s what attracted me to him even more.

“Dave is humble and he was raised by his mother and I love that aspect of his upbringing, because we are all mummy’s boys.

“There are some players in the game who just want to play football but Dave is very switched on. He is a very smart footballer.

“Dave is blessed with speed and his genetics are unbelievable, but he also has a knack of when the get the ball and how to use his body to break tackles.”

David Fifita with mum, Gwen.

Tallis said he left Fifita to make his own decision, but is adamant the Maroons forward should not be concerned about the intangible burden of a price tag.

“I didn’t brainwash Dave, that’s ridiculous,” he said.

“The Broncos have Darren Lockyer, a club great, on their retention committee. They have Anthony Seibold. They have Paul White as CEO. Is my opinion going to be greater than all of their opinions?

“I spoke to Dave once and it was around being there to help him as a player, even if he stayed at the Broncos.

“I don’t believe the money will be too much pressure for Dave.

“Ultimately, Dave is a bit like Jason Taumalolo in that they are forwards. They aren’t in the playmaking spine. The playmakers get blamed for stuffing things up if teams aren’t organised but all Dave has to do is run hard like Taumalolo does and I believe he will do that because he has the natural talent.

“Even with the money Brisbane were offering him, he was going to have to perform there as well, so Dave just has to focus on doing what he does best.”

NRL; North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. David Fifita. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Tallis believes the Broncos will overcome Fifita’s eventual exit, but is excited about what he can bring to the Titans.

“Brisbane have enough talent there to get over his loss,” he said. “The Broncos must have thought that, too, because if they thought Dave was the one, they would have signed him earlier. They wouldn’t have left him until the 11th hour.

“Guys like Payne Haas and Tom Flegler are good enough to step up as long-term NRL players.

“The culture of the Titans is good, trust me. Justin Holbrook is a good coach and he is taking the club in the right direction, but a player like David Fifita will only improve the place.”

Originally published as Why David Fifita walked out on Broncos to join Titans