NRL 2024 transfer news: Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler facing $3m problem to keep David Fifita

The Titans pre-season has only just begun and Des Hasler is already under immediate pressure to convince David Fifita that the Gold Coast can become an NRL premiership threat.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 25: Tom Dearden of the Cowboys breaks away from the defence during the round 26 NRL match between Dolphins and North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Des Hasler is under immediate pressure to transform the Titans and convince $3 million superstar David Fifita the Gold Coast can become an NRL premiership threat.

That is the view of former Gold Coast football boss Scott Sattler following revelations 23-year-old Fifita is a free agent and on the NRL’s open market – just three months after committing to the Titans.

The Titans trumpeted the $15 million retention of Queensland Origin stars Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (2033) and Fifita (2026) in August after the duo decided against activating contract get-out clauses relating to the sacking of former coach Justin Holbrook.

However the NRL’s official updated contract list has revealed both deals are laced with player options.

Fa’asuamaleaui, 23, can walk out on the Titans after the 2026 season – three years into his 10-year contract – while Fifita has until round 10 next season to decide if he wants to take up an option for the 2025-26 seasons.

That gives Fifita – the reigning Dally M second rower of the year – the opportunity to quit the Titans after next season.

New Titans coach Des Hasler is under immediate pressure to transform the Titans and convince David Fifita to stay at the club. Picture: Getty Images

Hasler was aware of the option in Fifita’s contract when it was negotiated and is backing himself to prove the Titans are on the rise following back-to-back bottom four seasons.

However Sattler, the Titans’ foundation football manager, said the contract saga could be a distraction for Fifita and the pressure was on Hasler to make quick improvements at Parkwood.

“Of course there is pressure,” he said.

“Good on David and his manager. If you’ve got the ability to try and engage clauses in your favour you’ve got to try and do it.

“I’m surprised the Gold Coast felt they needed to allow a clause of that nature, seeing that Dave is so important to their future.

“Good on Dave and his manager for being able to get it. He is the asset and his own brand so he’s got to try and protect it as much as he can.

“It’d be interesting to be privy to the conversations with their recruitment and retention committee and who’s leading those conversations.

“Steve Mitchell (Titans CEO) is very confident Dave’s not going to go anywhere. You’ve got to say that as the leader of a club because you’ve got faith in your club and players.

“But it puts you in an uneasy situation if it’s still going when the season kicks off. From rounds one to 10 you’re wondering about Dave.

With an option in his contract, David Fifita is open to offers from rival clubs for 2025. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“Then it comes down to the player himself. Can he block out the outside noise? Guys like Des and Anthony Laffranchi (football manager) at the coalface will have to ensure Dave’s in the right space.

“Des has been here before. He’s been through this plenty of times with players. It’s not new to him.

“Des is a coach that’s taken some clubs in pretty ordinary positions to grand finals in a small space of time.

“The appointment of Des sends a message to fans, sponsors, media, every other club and the playing group that they’re not going to accept mediocrity.”

Hasler met with Fifita during contract negotiations and was left satisfied the most damaging forward in the game was not looking to quit Titans.

“During the negotiation I had a really comfortable feeling,” Hasler said last week.

“I was very impressed with both young men.

“They were never going to leave anyway and that says a lot.”

He’s only just arrived at the club and Hasler already has plenty on his plate. Picture: Getty Images

Mitchell declined to comment on the Fifita clause and why the Titans continue to agree to player options when contacted by this masthead on Wednesday, citing confidentiality reasons.

However he told SEN Radio that Fifita was excited about the future at the Titans.

“I think Dave loves the environment, he loves the resources that we’ve got, he enjoys the club, and he believes in our purpose and where we’re going,” Mitchell said.

“He’s got a great relationship with the playing group and the coaching staff … if David applies him like he did last year, and I’m confident he is, he’ll have a breakout year for us.”

COWBOY JET’S CONTRACT TALKS TO DRAG INTO 2024

—Paul Crawley

The chase for the NRL’s hottest off-contract young playmaker could drag out well into next season.

That is the verdict from gun North Queensland five-eighth Tom Dearden’s agent, who declared the in demand 22-year-old won’t be rushed into making a decision on where he plays beyond 2024.

This is despite talk new St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has pinned a huge target on Dearden, although several other clubs have also declared their interest.

But the speculation is the Dragons’ are leading the chase, and are willing to blow the Cowboys out of the water with their offer.

The figure being mentioned is about $850,000-a-season, while the Cowboys are talking around the $2 million mark over three years (just above $650,000-a-season).

But Dearden’s agent Sam Ayoub said there was “no urgency” to get a deal done.

“Tom is in a good position whether it be now, in January, or March, April,” Ayoub said.

“I don’t want to heap any pressure on him so I won’t be talking about it publicly.

“He is on the market but there is no urgency for either he or I or the Cowboys to jump into it.

“They know my position and we will assess it in due course.”

Tom Dearden in no rush to settle his future. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Ayoub would not speculate on what other clubs may be interested, but common sense tells you he would be a great fit at any number of rivals looking for a top-shelf playmaker who prides himself on his competitiveness and courage.

While the Bulldogs and Tigers always get dragged into the debate over any off contract players, Dearden is the sort of player who would potentially be just as good a fit at a powerful club like the Sydney Roosters, who have veteran Luke Keary also coming off contract at the end of next season.

But the reality is the coming pre-season could also play a crucial role in Dearden’s final decision.

With veteran halfback Chad Townsend also off contract at the end of 2024, there is also talk Dearden could potentially compete with Townsend for the No 7 jumper next season.

The Cowboys have also brought former gun junior Jake Clifford back to the club.

After a disappointing 2023 season, where the Cowboys missed the top eight and Townsend was nowhere near the form he was in last year, the pressure will be on coach Todd Payten to turn things around.

And the last thing the Cowboys can afford now is to lose Dearden.

But Dearden’s value could even rise further the longer this plays out, especially if he holds off into next season and potentially proves himself in the No 7 jumper.

As it stands, the Dragons are banking on Kyle Flanagan to partner Ben Hunt in the halves next season.

But going forward, if Hunt continues to push for a release, Dearden is a player the Dragons could build the club’s future around.

New Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has made no secret of his need to bring in some big name recruits. Picture: Julian Andrews

Asked if he thinks Dearden could handle the switch to halfback, Ayoub said: “He is a future seven or six.

“I can’t pigeonhole him like that.

“You’d be crucifying him.

“I can’t answer that for him.

“Tommy wants to be a halve (six or seven).

“He wants to play more rep football.

“And he wants to play at the highest level.

“And it is not a number on the back.

“He is a competitive player.

“You could play him at fullback or lock and he would almost do the same job.

“Tom is 22.

“He has been through more in his short career than a lot of players have been through in eight to 10 years.

“He has had the highs, he has had the lows, he has had the highs again, and he is in a good place where he is right now.

“That doesn’t mean that is going to be the right place for him going forward. I can’t be any more honest.”

Ayoub also said money would not be Dearden’s motivating factor.

Dearden could just as easily play five-eighth or halfback in the future. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“There are clubs that will be able to afford to pay a lot more for him (than the Cowboys),” Ayoub added.

“But are they clubs you want to go to?

“Are they clubs that he will be happy at?

“Those factors come into it more than anything else.

“So to say when is he making a decision (about his future), my answer is what urgency is there?

“His value isn’t going to diminish.”

Originally published as NRL 2024 transfer news: Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler facing $3m problem to keep David Fifita