David Fifita, Brisbane Broncos Return, Gold Coast Titans, Tom Flegler, Herbie Farnworth, Contract, Transfers
Paul Kent has questioned the logic of the Broncos playing for Titans star and former Brisbane player David Fifita amid recent losses in their roster and the lack of contracts.
The Broncos are reportedly considering a Fifita reunion with the money freed up by losing Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth to the Dolphins.
James Hooper confirmed the Broncos are keen to make a serious game for Fifita after the Courier Mail revealed the club’s bold offer to bring their former Charger home to Red Hill.
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“They haven’t formally filed anything, but certainly the Broncos’ power brokers are seriously considering luring David Fifita back to the club,” Hooper said on NRL 360.
“We all know how he left. There was a big tug of war between the Broncos and the Titans. But they talk about having a serious crack.
However, Kent believes the Broncos’ signing of Fifita isn’t necessarily the right game given the players they’ll be losing in 2024.
“I think it’s an unusual decision,” said Kent.
“They’re trying to replace Farnworth and Flegler who’s going to the Dolphins, so you’ve got a center forward and a center forward and they’re going to replace them with a lead up front. I just do not understand.
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“Now I will say that given his huge cap salary and the amount of space he takes up there, the Titans will likely have an appetite for the Titans to get him out of there to free up some space given their return on their investment not what they would have liked.
“That means the Broncos could probably get him for cheaper than market value, so it makes sense from that perspective.”
“In cattle trading, you could sort it out, but as far as securing their positions for the players who lose them, it doesn’t make sense.
“Whoever runs roster management up there (former NRL 360 co-host Ben Ikin) has no idea (laughs).”
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The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis believes the Broncos still need to raise a decent sum to lure Fifita, with the Raiders and Titans also locked in the bidding war.
“However, there’s still a market for him because Canberra are backing David Fifita, so I don’t think they’re going to get him at a discounted price,” Carayannis said.
However, Kent believes the Raiders have conceded they are losing the race to sign Fifita, who is reluctant to move to Canberra.
“Canberra is on the market but I think that’s going down,” Kent replied.
“I think they think interest is waning.”
Braith Anasta asked what Fifita, who has a massive deal with the Titans, is worth on his next contract.
“What do you think he’s worth on his next contract?” Anasta asked.
“He was pretty great in Brisbane when he was there.”
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“I think it’s about $700,000,” Carayannis replied.
“No, he’s got $1.25 million, so it’s going to be a haircut, but it’s a small haircut,” Hooper said.
“I think it’s going to be under $1 million, but it’s going to be around the $900,000 mark.”
“It’s a $300,000 rebate for anyone who buys it,” Kent said.
Carayannis believes the Broncos won’t have the money to pay that kind of salary to another edge backrower if they want to maintain a balanced roster.
“If they lose Flegler, they’re not going to spend $900,000 on an edge backer when you have Capewell and Riki there,” Carayannis said.
Hooper pointed out that the Broncos also need to re-sign Origin stars Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan, which could mean they don’t have enough money to get Fifita as well.
“You also have Payne Haas going out of contract and Pat Carrigan going out of contract,” Hooper said.
“They are her priorities after Flegler left for the Dolphins. That is their long-term priority in the front row.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-david-fifita-brisbane-broncos-return-gold-coast-titans-tom-flegler-herbie-farnworth-contract-transfers/news-story/a7b296679ae0fe60df8529600bef600d David Fifita, Brisbane Broncos Return, Gold Coast Titans, Tom Flegler, Herbie Farnworth, Contract, Transfers
