BREAKING: Clause activated as Fifita confirms news Titans have ...
Titans superstar David Fifita has informed the Gold Coast Titans he won’t be taking up his option to remain at the club beyond the 2024 season.
Coach Des Hasler confirmed the crushing blow for the club on Thursday, with the 24-year-old Origin star now set for a blockbuster move, likely to either the Penrith Panthers or Sydney Roosters.
Fifita sat down with his manager Michael Hudson on Wednesday night to discuss his future, deciding to turn down an extension of his $1 million per-season contract at the Titans.
The damaging backrower had a clause in his contract that meant he had until the start of Round 10 (Thursday night) to opt out of staying a further two years with the club.
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The Panthers have reportedly tabled an offer worth around $850,000 per-season spanning from 2025 to the end of the 2027 season and are considered favourites to sign the QLD star.
Meanwhile, the Roosters have tabled a four-year deal that is worth a slightly lower amount per-season.
A decision on Fifita’s future is likely imminent and Hasler — who only joined the club this season — admitted he was “disappointed” that his star man will be departing.
“It’s all part of the game, a part of the theatre and a part of the football merry-go-round,” Hasler said to reporters on Thursday.
“Players come and go and move club to club all the time. David’s a wonderful player and he’s been a good aquisition for the club but he’s decided his time has come to an end.
“He’s going to move to Sydney and pursue his footy interest down there, and I wish him all the best.”
Hasler conceded it will change the Titans team moving forward, but explained “that’s what recruitment is about”, signalling the club will hit the open market.
The former Sea Eagles and Bulldogs mentor did however defend Fifita after a reporter asked if his teammates were upset the back rower was “abandoning the ship”.
“I think it’s unfair to say he’s abandoning the ship, it’s not about abandoning the ship. He’s made a decision and everybody knew what was on the table,” Hasler replied.
Fifita declines Titans player option | 00:46
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“It’s unfair to say that.”
Hasler also believes the Titans are building and he sat down with Fifita in attempt to convince him to stay, albeit unsuccesfully.
“We had good cause and the club’s growing, so far this year the results don’t lean towards that but those who know footy,” Hasler said.
“And I think Kieran Foran, who is a pretty good judge and has been in the game a long time, (knows) there is something happening here.
“So we will continue along that path and keep moving forward.”
Fifita will also continue to play for the Gold Coast side this season and won’t pull out of this weekend’s clash against the Cowboys on Sunday.
“I think the players will just get on with it to tell you the truth, what can they do?” Hasler said.
“He will come in and play, the next question you will ask is is he playing on the weekend, and of course he will.
“We will get on with what we are working at and what we want to do this year.”
