Mum’s the word on Broncos star David Fifita’s future
The mother of Broncos star David Fifita has revealed the emotional torment her son is going through as he wrestles with a decision over his future.
The mother of Brisbane Broncos star David Fifita has revealed the emotional torment her son is going through as he wrestles with a decision over his future.
“It has been one of the most difficult decisions we have had two make in his whole footy career,” Gwen Fifita told The Australian.
“That is why it is taking so long. He can’t come to a decision. One day he is certain, the next day he is not certain.
“Nothing is certain until he signs that contract. Nothing is certain yet. Yesterday he said he wanted to be with the Titans. Today he says he wants to be with the Broncos.
“Tomorrow it might be the Titans again. They are not rushing either. They understand it is a massive decision and they are not rushing.
“They are letting him have all the time he needs. He is very close. He wants to make a decision before he returns and he returns next week.
“He wants to put it to bed before he runs out on the field again. He just wants to concentrate on footy. We don’t want to worry about contracts.
It is massively difficult. It is emotional for me as a mum watching my son go through this. He knows he has to make a decision.
“We haven’t come to that yet. It is chopping and changing, going back and forth.”
Fifita reportedly told Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold on Tuesday night that he was ready to accept a million-dollar offer from the Titans for next season.
On Wednesday morning, he was leaning back towards the Broncos, who have tabled a bid of about $700,000 for 2021.
Brisbane have precious little wriggle room because their cap is tight next year. They have money to spend in 2022 and the likelihood is that if Fifita stays, he will get another pay rise at the end of next season.
Fifita’s greatest ambition is to pay off his mother’s mortgage and buy his own property. He shouldn’t have a problem on that front given the money that is being thrown at him – late last year South Sydney weighed in with a massive offer as well, Sam Burgess flying to Brisbane to meet Fifita.
However, it is understood the 20-year-old wants to stay in southeast Queensland to be near his family, leaving him to choose between the Broncos and the Titans.
“You want to own things in life,” Gwen Fifita said.
“You want to own them while you can. He wants to pay my mortgage off so he can worry about himself and know mum is fine.
“He wants to play comfortable footy at a good club. The Broncos have been good to him but they … haven’t won for six games in a row.
“He got offered this money from the South Sydney Rabbitohs but the timing wasn’t right. That offer came too quick.
“Something like this has come up again. It can make or break somebody. It can make or break a club too.
“It has been very hard. I have been very emotional. It has hit me hard this morning. I see the frustration in his face.
“He wants to put this to bed but he just doesn’t know what to do. He can’t really talk to anyone from the club because obviously they want to keep him.
“He doesn’t trust many people either. He can’t really get any advice or support of other people, just his teammates.
“No one has told him what to do. They support him. At the end of the day he has to look after family. Family was there before footy came along.”
More Coverage
Panthers take their premiership party onto the water
Penrith’s premiership players took a break from their celebrations with a quiet cruise and the launch of an exclusive commemorative T-shirt but the party is about to kick off again. See the details here.
Watch: Joey Manu footage Roosters fans never wanted to see
Just ten days on from the end of his time at the Sydney Roosters Joey Manu is back in training - watch as he comes to grips with the challenges of Japanese rugby.