Four clubs are set to battle it out for the signature of Titans superstar David Fifita, who is set for a significant pay cut after a disappointing 2022 campaign.
The 22-year-old signed a lucrative three-year deal ahead of the 2021 season, but his contract worth a reported $1.2 million per-season is set to be slashed to $750,000 according to The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio.
That salary has reportedly piqued the interest of the Raiders, Rabbitohs, Dragons and also the Titans who are desperate to retain the backrow gun.
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“You can put the Raiders in the mix, absolutely, they are keen, I know that for a fact,” Riccio said on Triple M.
“But the key here, we know that Fifita has been sitting around that $1.1-1.2 million mark for being that franchise player at the Titans when he signed two years ago.
“His form dipped, he sat on the edge of the field and really didn’t have that impact the Titans had hoped, he is going to have to come down to around $750,000.
“That has certainly piqued the interest of the Raiders, you can throw the Dragons in the mix, and I wouldn’t be surprised about the Bunnies, keep an eye on Souths.
“Jason Demetriou has a relationship with David Fifita going back to their Broncos days together, but the Titans feel as though they can do enough to retain David Fifita.
Fifita’s damaging ball running ability was put on ice in the Gold Coast last season as the Titans playmakers failed to unlock his talents.
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Riccio believes wherever Fifita does end up playing in 2024, each coach believes they see value in the backrower at $750,000-per-season.
“Wherever he turns up, every coach will believe they can get the best out of David Fifita, and at around $750,000 I think that starts to peak the interest of several clubs,” Riccio said.
Meanwhile, Fifita’s partner, Shaylee Bent is reportedly a target of the Raiders who see her as a marquee star for their inaugural NRLW season.
Canberra reportedly wanted to retain Adam Elliott and sign his partner Millie Boyle, but have turned their sights to Fifita and Bent according to The Daily Telegraph.
“We know he is on big money, but we know his girlfriend has gone to the Canberra Raiders, could David Fifita go to the Raiders,” Geyer said.
