Slater's advice as Fifita faces three-club decision

06/05/2024 23:07

Penrith's potential signing of David Fifita could unlock the hulking Titans forward, as he weighs up reported advances from three rival clubs, as well as his current one.James Fisher-Harris

In a bombshell development, The Sydney Morning Herald revealed the three-time reigning premiers have tabled a three-year offer to Fifita, who has an option in his Gold Coast contract for 2025. The Dragons and Roosters are also said to be in the hunt for Fifita.

The back-rower has until Thursday to make a decision on whether he wishes to activate that clause for next season but given the Titans' fortunes early in the year, it appears increasingly likely he will be on the move and head to a Sydney-based club.

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At the very top of the pile is the Panthers, who have offered Fifita an estimated $2.5 million over three years, which would see the Maroons star take a pay cut.

According to league great Billy Slater, the departure of Fisher-Harris, who will move to the Warriors next year, has allowed Penrith to splash the cash.

"It's an interesting one," he said on Nine's Billy Slater Podcast.

"You look at the players they have lost … but the one that has probably given the opportunity for David Fifita to possibly go to the Panthers is James Fisher-Harris.

"They knew that they couldn't keep the other players, whereas James Fisher-Harris has just come out of the spur of the moment. They didn't really see this coming, they didn't plan for this, therefore they've got some money in the salary cap.

"Those other players had to leave because of the salary cap restraints.

"You might think they've won the last three premierships, how can they sign a player like David Fifita? But I think it's all due to the money that has been saved."

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Penrith has struggled to hold onto their marquee talent over the past few years, with the likes of Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Api Koroisau, Kurt Capewell, Spencer Leniu, and Viliame Kikau moving on at different stages, while both Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva will head to the Wests Tigers next season to join Fisher-Harris in another exodus.

Fifita's potential move to the foot of Sydney's mountains will add some serious firepower to the forward pack and Slater believes it's exactly what the 24-year-old needs to become a consistent force.

"I think the Panthers would be better for David Fifita, than David Fifita would be for the Panthers," the Queensland coach said.

"They are a great side and you think about their back-rowers at the moment … David Fifita would certainly benefit from being at a team and a club that has high standards and demands a work ethic.

"I think he could play his best football there."

Slater and Fifita have worked together at State of Origin level before and despite his towering on-field presence, there is no guarantee he will be selected for the Maroons when the series kicks off on June 5 given his up-and-down start to the season.