On the same day Brisbane hoped to lock down David Fifita’s signature, Mal Meninga has boldly claimed the Broncos powerhouse is on top of the Gold Coast Titans’ shopping list.
While Fifita is not off contract until next year, Brisbane’s football operations boss Peter Nolan was set to begin extension talks with the 19-year-old on Wednesday to stave off interest from rivals.
Up to 10 NRL clubs were already reportedly lining up for the Queensland State of Origin back-rower before the November 1 anti-tampering deadline expired.
The likes of Canterbury, Parramatta and the Warriors were allegedly ready to offer $1 million-a-season contracts.
And now the Titans have officially entered the mix after Meninga, their head of performance and culture, confirmed the Gold Coast’s shopping list ahead of new coach Justin Holbrook’s 2020 arrival.
“Will we be talking to David Fifita about returning to the Gold Coast, where he went to school at Palm Beach Currumbin High School? Of course we will,” Meninga wrote in an open letter to Titans fans.
“What about his Broncos teammate Thomas Flegler, who could follow Jai Arrow’s path to State of Origin by becoming a senior player at the Titans?
“And Josh Jackson and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak from the Dogs? Felise Kaufusi and Ryan Papenhuyzen at Melbourne? Kyle Feldt and Jordan McLean at the Cowboys? Absolutely.”
It may appear to be pie in the sky for the Titans but there are rumours that they can free up salary cap space by moving on the likes of Nathan Peats, Bryce Cartwright and Leilani Latu who are believed to have a combined cap value of around $1.7 million when Holbrook arrives from English Super League club St Helens.
While Fifita may be Meninga’s target, Titans executive chairman Dennis Watt said re-signing Maroons lock Arrow was their priority for now.
“He is a future leader. He is not just an outstanding footballer but an outstanding young man,” Watt told AAP.
“And he has a real connection to our community. We certainly want to keep him here along with (playmaker) AJ Brimson.
“He (Arrow) has taken his manager’s advice to go to the market and see what is out there.
“We have given the manager permission to seek out alternative offers by November 1, just to fast track the whole process.
“But we are pretty hopeful (of retaining Arrow). He has made it pretty clear that he wants to stay here.”
