November 1st, one of the days every rugby league fan circles. It's the day that literally millions of dollars of talent become off-contract.
Titans and Origin superstar David Fifita is one of those players able to talk to opposition clubs come the first day of November.
Judging by reports this week, there is more than one club already preparing a massive bid to tempt the monster forward for 2024 and beyond.
With the salary cap set to rise and many clubs entering either a rebuild or a title window, Fifita will be highly sought after.
Here are the five most likely landing spots for David Fifita - the club he will represent come Round 1 2024.
4. St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons are in the papers, linked to a multi-million dollar move with Fifita. They're the only club actually named to this point so you have to believe they're serious.
Anthony Griffin is desperate for a future-shifting signing. His Red V were largely dire in 2022. Ben Hunt carried them to tenth spot on the table.
David Fifita absolutely fits the bill. He also adds a weapon the Dragons have sorely lacked for years.
Jacob Liddle is the single signing for 2023. Meanwhile Ben Hunt, and Moses Mbye are off contract at the end of next season. That suggests there will be cap room available.
They also have four forwards off-contract at the end of next year so there are spots to fill.
Fifita's partner currently plays for the Dragons NRLW side, while a fresh start for the former Origin superstar could be exactly what his career needs.
The Dragons seem very serious in this chase. They wouldn't have let it leak to the media if they weren't trying to turn the monster forward's head toward the
Dan,
Nicho Hynes is on $600K and looks like he is worth a million.
David Fifita is on $800K and looks like he is not worth it because he is so unreliable .
Factor in his high maintenance and I would not have him at any price.
If DF is going to move, he won’t come down in price, and paying him a million without upgrading Hynes is just going to p**s off the Sharks’ best player.
Solution, for your Sharks:
– upgrade Nicho to $800K right now to build a bit of loyalty.
– approach Newcastle to get David Klemmer for 2023. I reckon he would jump at the chance to play for a club that is going places, especially if it is for the same money.
– Let Newcastle go for David Fifita (for 2023 if the Broncs will let him go) now they have money to spare.
In the face of their tweaked 2023 squad (Verrills and Foran), the Titans need to retain DF. With the increased cap, the club’s reserved spending and their emerging talent pool then DF can get his market price. Downgrading him unreasonably would be a counter-productive step on several levels. Some of the new names that will be appearing, after Jojo Fifita and Klese Haas in 2022, are Alick, Puhulu, Tino’s brother Izsac, Liyou, Bryant, Weaver, Fuller, Francis, Spry, Kahn-Pereira and Tuaupiki, amongst others.