Rivals may be about to queue up for David Fifita but Brisbane director Darren Lockyer says they are in no rush to re-sign the in-demand teenager despite being surprised by his blockbusting 2019 form.
Fifita is set to become one of the hottest properties on the NRL market with the 19-year-old free to sign with rival clubs from Friday.
The barnstorming forward is set to field offers of up to $1 million a season with the likes of South Sydney, Sydney Roosters and the Warriors expected to lead the way.
The Rabbitohs loom as a major threat with reports Fifita may be tempted to reunite with ex-Broncos coach Wayne Bennett at Redfern as a ready made back-row replacement for retired skipper Sam Burgess.
If Lockyer was concerned by the speculation he hid it well, sounding quietly confident of retaining the Junior Kangaroos skipper.
“We always knew he was talented but to be perfectly honest he exceeded our expectations this year,” Lockyer said.
“He did remarkably well. And he captained the Junior Kangaroos so he is going to generate interest from other clubs.
“But as far as we are concerned he is happy here and his family is happy here.
“There will be negotiations next year about what beyond 2020 looks like.”
Lockyer expected rivals to dangle more lucrative deals in front of Fifita but warned money couldn’t buy happiness at an NRL club.
“Finance is one part of it but it is also the environment they are playing in, whether that from the coaching perspective or club perspective they feel valued,” Lockyer said.
“That’s important to us and our players. From a finance component there might be other clubs who offer more, but that’s not what is all about.
“I think everyone would like David Fifita on their books but we have got him here at the moment.”
Lockyer said Fifita had already shown the right traits to become a Broncos skipper in the future.
“He is 19 and the (Junior Kangaroos) experience he got this year would be great for his development of his leadership,” he said.
“He got to captain his country albeit in the under 23s but that is a stepping stone for his leadership aspirations.”
