David Fifita reveals real reason he backflipped on Roosters move as girlfriend detail emerges

NRL star David Fifita has lifted the lid on why he sensationally backflipped on a blockbuster move to join a rival club last year.

David Fifita has declared his desire to remain by the side of his girlfriend, Titans NRLW star Shaylee Bent, played a major role in him sensationally backflipping on his decision to sign with the Roosters.

Fifita initially agreed to join the Tri Colours for the 2025 season, penning a four-year deal and even turned down a rival offer from the Panthers in the process.

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However, the highly sought-after star had second thoughts and ultimately pulled the pin on the deal during his ten-day cooling-off period, opting to instead remain with the Titans for a further two seasons.

While the Titans were ecstatic at their star player’s decision to stay, no one was arguably more relieved than Bent, who signed with the Titans ahead of the 2023 NRLW season from the Dragons to be close to Fifita.

“It’s the same with David, (the Gold Coast) is our home now. We love the community, we love the fans, we love the club and we love our teams. We’ve built a life up there so we’re really happy,” Bent said after Fifita signed an extension with the Titans.

David Fifita says a large part of decision to backflip on the Roosters deal was for his partner Shaylee Bent. Picture Glenn Hampson

The pair’s relationship began in 2022 and after a year of long-distance Bent made the sacrifice to move up to the Gold Coast to join Fifita.

And in Fifita’s first public interview since changing his mind on joining the Tri Colours, the powerful back-rower revealed he asked Bent to forego a move to Sydney for him and therefore realised after agreeing to join the Roosters he wasn’t doing the right thing by her.

Bent – who was off contract at the end of the last NRLW season – also knocked back a move home to Sydney to stay by Fifita’s side on the Gold Coast, signing a new deal with the Titans until the end of 2027 in October.

“It was massive for her to stay here,” Fifita told Code Sports.

“She has sacrificed a lot for me.

“She could have gone down to Sydney, but I wanted her to stay.

“She cooks for me and does a lot for me. She looks after me and does all the right things. When I’m down with my injuries, she looks after me.

“It’s hard when you get injured, but she and my mum and dad are there for me.”

Fifita described Bent as the emotional rock who has helped him through some injury turmoil and has assisted him to get back to his best ahead of the Titans 2025 NRL campaign.

“She’s a good cook, my favourite is coconut curry and rice, but she cooks anything,” Fifita said with a laugh.

“We just got a coffee machine for my birthday so she even makes my coffees now. I’m still learning.

“She has done the back of her shoulder, but she is coming good now. She still gets a bit of pain but we’re both supportive of each other.

“She’s great for me.”

David Fifita and Shaylee Bent (pictured together) have been dating since 2022. Credit: NRL Images.

And Fifita says while a large part of his decision to backflip on joining the Roosters was for Bent, he said family and a yearning to deliver Gold Coast a premiership also played a large part.

Fifita wears wrist strapping with ‘Mum’ on one wrist and ‘Dad’ on the other so it is no shock they also were a big factor in his decision.

“Having my family around — my mum, dad and nan — and being close to them,” Fifita said.

“They are getting older and I wanted to be around them and look after them.

“I’m excited for this year with the squad we have and hopefully we all stay injury-free for the year ahead.”

David Fifita is hoping to bring the Titans an elusive NRL premiership (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The Titans are desperate to snap an 18-year premiership hoodoo and Fifita wants to deliver Gold Coast’s maiden NRL title.

“I have two more years here and we have to win,” said Fifita, who has played 82 games as a Titan.

“I just believe in the players we have here. We have been around this group for a while now.

“I have been signed here since 2021 and I’m 25 now, so I’m getting a bit older.

“We will see what happens (with the squad). A lot can change in 12 months. We have a tough first game against the Bulldogs in two weeks and I’m looking forward to that.

“We have stayed around this core group for a while now and hopefully this is the year.”

Originally published as David Fifita reveals real reason he backflipped on Roosters move as girlfriend detail emerges