David Fifita commits to Gold Coast Titans until 2026 NRL season
Gold Coast Titans forward David Fifita announced via social media on Monday night he will re-sign with the club, ending months of speculation about a potential move to the Canberra Raiders or a reunion with the Brisbane Broncos.
The Titans have since confirmed Fifita has signed a three-year contract extension until the end of 2026.
The news of the re-signing came only 24 hours after the Titans travelled to Leichhardt Oval and beat the Tigers 22-10 in the opening round of the 2023 NRL season.
Fifita starred for the away side, taking 17 runs for over 200m with 66 post-contact metres, a line break, try assist, four tackle breaks and 27 tackles.
The Raiders appeared to be the club chasing Fifita the hardest, with reports suggesting the ‘Green Machine’ were prepared to pay as much as $900,000 per season for three years.
Reports have also suggested the Raiders wanted to sign Fifita’s partner, Shaylee Bent, to their NRLW side for their inaugural season.
Having freed up roughly $1.5 million from their salary cap for 2024 with Herbie Farnworth and Thomas Flegler set to leave the club, the Broncos came in with an 11th-hour bid for their former back-rower.
Titans coach Justin Holbrook confirmed prior to the Titans’ round one clash with the Tigers that the Broncos were talking to Fifita.
“The Broncos are definitely keen, 100 per cent,” Holbrook told reporters on Friday.
“I know Kevvie [Walters] has been ringing him and has been talking to him.
“He’s allowed to do that. Dave is off-contract, so that’s fine, the Broncos are entitled to talk to him.”
Fifita’s re-signing comes as welcome news for the Titans, who lost their other star back-rower, Beau Fermor, to an ACL injury prior to round one.
The 23-year-old is likely to become the focal point of the Titans attack, which may also be without star recruit Kieran Foran due to a suspected PCL injury.
The Titans will be banking on Fifita returning to the type of form that saw him debut for Queensland from the bench in the 2019 State of Origin series.
