The 2023 NRL season has simply began however the hearsay mill is in full swing already, with loads of curiosity in the place Titans star David Fifita’s future lies.
It seems there’s a two-way race for his signature however Fifita should take a hefty pay lower ought to he decide to return to Red Hill.
Meanwhile, Manly has reportedly give you a intelligent solution to attempt battle off rival curiosity in one of many staff’s greatest names.
Read on for the newest NRL switch whispers!
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‘They obtained no concept!’ Broncos Fifita play | 02:22
FIFITA ‘WANTS’ BRONCOS RETURN… BUT IT COMES AT A COST
The race for David Fifita’s signature is reportedly right down to the Titans and Broncos, though the 23-year-old should take a “significant” pay lower if he strikes again to Red Hill.
That is in line with veteran rugby league reporter Brent Read, who gave an replace on the newest developments in Fifita’s contract talks whereas showing on Triple M’s ‘Saturday Scrum’.
Of course, Fifita might want to take a pay lower regardless of the place he indicators as even the Gold Coast wouldn’t supply him the $1.25 million a season he reportedly signed onto in 2021.
But as Read defined, will probably be a fair better pay lower ought to Fifita determine to reunite with a few of his former Broncos teammates.
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“The information I’m getting is Dave wants to go back,” Read mentioned.
“The issue is Brisbane will have the money, it’s whether they have the money to mount a competitive offer to get Dave back. They’ve got keep money for Haas and Carrigan to extend their deals.
“I think this week is going to be really significant on the David Fifita front, in terms of what Brisbane put on the table, how serious they are and how serious Dave is. If Dave is serious about coming back to Brisbane, he’s going to have to take less money to do it.
“That’ll give Brisbane an indication of how serious Dave is. Wherever he goes it’s a significant pay cut [compared to what he is on now] but the pay cut is more significant at Brisbane.
“I think Brisbane want to see a genuine indication from David that he wants to come back and if that’s the case they’ll get serious about it.”
It was initially anticipated that Canberra and Gold Coast could be the 2 main contenders for Fifita’s companies.
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But experiences earlier this week recommended the Raiders are out of the operating and Read backed these up on Triple M.
“We all thought it was a straight shootout between Canberra and the Gold Coast as to what he would do,” Read mentioned.
“Now in the background Brisbane have been kept up to date on developments with Dave and his contractual situation beyond this year. They weren’t in a position to make a play for him at the money he was at, talking over $900,000 a year was on the table for Fifita.
“But after Flegler and Farnworth made the decisions to leave, Brisbane have sort of quietly in the background entered the discussion for Dave Fifita.
“I think Dave was close to make a decision but the Brisbane situation has sort of delayed things a little bit. I think Canberra are resigned to not having Dave there because they were also interested in his partner Shaylee Bent and she has told them she’s not coming to Canberra and Shaylee has delayed her decision until Dave has made a decision.
“The indication from that is it’s now a shootout between Gold Coast and Brisbane.”
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“The RLPA and NRL don’t trust coaches!” | 01:13
Titans coach Justin Holbrook conceded earlier this week that the Broncos are “definitely keen” in Fifita, who’s off-contract on the finish of this season.
Holbrook mentioned he is aware of Broncos coach Kevin Walters has been “ringing” and “talking” to Fifita, though he added he’s listening to “mixed reports” on whether or not Brisbane can afford him.
“I genuinely believe Dave is happy at the Titans,” Holbrook mentioned.
“He is happy here, but he is such a nice guy that he doesn’t like disappointing anyone and making a big decision on his future can be hard for him.
“I really enjoy coaching Dave and we would love him to be here long term, but he’s a talented player so I can understand why he is in demand.”
Walters confirmed Brisbane was inquisitive about Fifita whereas chatting with The Courier Mail earlier within the week.
MANLY’S CLEVER PLOY AS RIVALS CIRCLE OLAKAU’ATU
Elsewhere, Manly second rower Haumole Olakau’atu is probably not off-contract till the top of the 2025 season however that has not stopped the Sea Eagles from already planning forward.
Read reported on Triple M that the Sea Eagles have paid Olakau’atu extra money this 12 months to reward him for his breakout 2022 marketing campaign.
It could value Manly within the short-term and was a transfer the membership “didn’t have” to make in line with Read, nevertheless it might repay sooner or later with rival groups already circling.
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“He’s got two years left on his deal at Manly but there’s already some clubs sniffing around him,” Read mentioned.
“Manly are aware of that and in order to keep him happy and convince him to extend beyond those two years, they’ve already upgraded him this year and given him a bit more money this year to reward him for the way he played last year and also to show him how valuable he is to that footy club and hopefully convince him down the track to sign an extended deal.
“They didn’t have to do that Manly but they have.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
