NRL clubs lining up for Fifita as Titans contract runs down

Gold Coast Titans and Tonga second-rower David Fifita is set to spark an NRL bidding war when he hits the open market from November 1 this year.

The Titans are not expected to re-sign their former State of Origin forward prior to the deadline, which will see his three-year, $3.5 million contract expire having infamously left the Brisbane Broncos in 2020 following their first-ever wooden spoon.

Fifita now appears to be facing an uphill battle to secure another lucrative long-term deal in the NRL, as The Dolphins and Wayne Bennett have ruled out targeting his former Bronco, closing the largest chequebook in the current NRL salary cap landscape.

The St George Illawarra Dragons have been rumoured to offer the star forward a spot following his current Titans deal, but the Canberra Raiders will allegedly pursue Fifita with more intent.

Rumours suggest the Raiders will implement a similar tactic to that of the Newcastle Knights when they signed NRL power couple Millie Boyle and Adam Elliott.

The Raiders are building their NRLW roster and wish to make Fifita’s partner, Shaylee Bent, one of their marquee signings, which they’re hoping will help lure Fifita to the nation’s capital.

Fifita would join former Titans teammate Jamal Fogarty in a side littered with talent, such as former Queensland Maroons teammate Josh Papali’i along with New South Wales Blues star Jack Wighton.

Another club on the radar of Fifita could be the Melbourne Storm, who should have the space in their salary cap for a marquee forward.

A club renowned for signing players below their market value, the Storm have begun a changing of the guard with both Bromwich brothers and Felise Kaufusi heading to The Dolphins, as well as Brandon Smith going to the Sydney Roosters.

Fifita is expected to be taking an enormous pay-cut on his next NRL deal, and while there is no set price he could command yet, he has every opportunity to inflate it in the coming months.

Fifita will play out the remainder of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, and the 2023 NRL season, in the shop window of his prospective suitors.

The dynamic second-rower was the subject of criticism during the 2022 NRL season for his form at the Titans, but his ongoing contract situation could spark a rejuvenation of form.

During the 2022 NRL season, Fifita scored seven tries and averaged 112m per game, the lowest totals he’s had in a season where he’s played more than 10 games.

Another major concern was the 40 missed tackles, the most he has had in a season since his debut.

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