Unbreakable
International Rep
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- May 21, 2013
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- #271
$5m offer for Broncos star Fifita
Right on cue, the money has come in for David Fifita. The Australian understands one rival club on Friday morning – only hours after the November 1 deadline had passed – tabled a deal worth upwards of $5 million for the Brisbane superstar.
The offer doesn’t immediately break the million-dollar barrier but it does by towards the end of what could finish up being a seven-year agreement. The fight has only just begun for the Broncos, although their position has been fortified by the retirement of Matt Gillett and the freedom that is expected to provide to the club’s salary cap.
Brisbane will now be in position to provide an immediate upgrade to Fifita’s existing deal and extend him at a competitive rate thereafter. They are in a position of strength and confident that he will stay at the club for years to come.
Nevertheless, the first blow has been struck in the race to secure the hottest property in rugby league. It is understood the deal, tabled to Fifita’s manager Steve Deacon, is for at least five years but could extend out to seven years.
It was tabled only hours after Fifita entered the final year of his deal, highlighting how prized his signature has become. A host of clubs have been linked with the Queensland State of Origin backrower, among them the New Zealand Warriors, Parramatta and Canterbury.
Wests Tigers are also likely to take a look at Fifita, although they also have an interest in Gold Coast pair AJ Brimson and Jai Arrow. It is understood Arrow, who was given permission to speak to clubs before November 1, has held discussions with the coach and officials from at least one Sydney club.
South Sydney loom as the wildcard in talks over Fifita and Arrow. The Rabbitohs are waiting to hear whether they will receive salary cap dispensation for the early retirement of Sam Burgess but the process is underway – a move that could potentially result in the Rabbitohs having up to an additional $1m to spend over the next four seasons.
With the Trbojevic brothers – Jake and Tom – expected to be off the market within days, Fifita, Arrow, Tyson Frizell and Latrell Mitchell shape as the players likely to attract the big dollars.
Frizell has been mentioned as another potential target for the Rabbitohs, while it is understood they retain a strong interest in English forward Luke Thompson.
Canterbury, the Gold Coast and the Warriors are also in the market for Thompson, who is currently in New Zealand with Great Britain and has another year remaining on his deal with Super League side St Helens.
The Warriors pursuit of Fifita could have ramifications for their bid for Thompson and vice versa. The Warriors have been Brisbane’s nemesis for much of the past 12 months, having pursued Matt Lodge, Tevita Pangai and Jake Turpin.
On each occasion, it is believed their interest forced the Broncos to pay more than would have hoped for Lodge, Pangai and Turpin. The sense was that something would have to give in Brisbane and the hope among their rivals was that it would be Fifita.
Gillett’s premature and unfortunate retirement has changed the landscape dramatically and there is genuine belief in Brisbane that Fifita will commit his future to the club, much like the Trbojevic brothers have done at Manly.
While the Sea Eagles are yet to officially confirm their retention, chair and owner Scott Penn admitted it was only a matter of time before the deal was confirmed.
“We have been on record that we want them to be one-club players,” Penn said.
“We have also said that, that is what we focused don. We didn’t want them to ever look anywhere else. They are incredibly talented and they command respect.
“The negotiations have been respectful. The process has been mindful of their position in the game and what they deserve. We have done our absolute best to give them what they deserve and we believe they are happy with it.”
- Brent Read
Source: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...a/news-story/53555a3947a14d932da2b5bb3b035cb8
Right on cue, the money has come in for David Fifita. The Australian understands one rival club on Friday morning – only hours after the November 1 deadline had passed – tabled a deal worth upwards of $5 million for the Brisbane superstar.
The offer doesn’t immediately break the million-dollar barrier but it does by towards the end of what could finish up being a seven-year agreement. The fight has only just begun for the Broncos, although their position has been fortified by the retirement of Matt Gillett and the freedom that is expected to provide to the club’s salary cap.
Brisbane will now be in position to provide an immediate upgrade to Fifita’s existing deal and extend him at a competitive rate thereafter. They are in a position of strength and confident that he will stay at the club for years to come.
Nevertheless, the first blow has been struck in the race to secure the hottest property in rugby league. It is understood the deal, tabled to Fifita’s manager Steve Deacon, is for at least five years but could extend out to seven years.
It was tabled only hours after Fifita entered the final year of his deal, highlighting how prized his signature has become. A host of clubs have been linked with the Queensland State of Origin backrower, among them the New Zealand Warriors, Parramatta and Canterbury.
Wests Tigers are also likely to take a look at Fifita, although they also have an interest in Gold Coast pair AJ Brimson and Jai Arrow. It is understood Arrow, who was given permission to speak to clubs before November 1, has held discussions with the coach and officials from at least one Sydney club.
South Sydney loom as the wildcard in talks over Fifita and Arrow. The Rabbitohs are waiting to hear whether they will receive salary cap dispensation for the early retirement of Sam Burgess but the process is underway – a move that could potentially result in the Rabbitohs having up to an additional $1m to spend over the next four seasons.
With the Trbojevic brothers – Jake and Tom – expected to be off the market within days, Fifita, Arrow, Tyson Frizell and Latrell Mitchell shape as the players likely to attract the big dollars.
Frizell has been mentioned as another potential target for the Rabbitohs, while it is understood they retain a strong interest in English forward Luke Thompson.
Canterbury, the Gold Coast and the Warriors are also in the market for Thompson, who is currently in New Zealand with Great Britain and has another year remaining on his deal with Super League side St Helens.
The Warriors pursuit of Fifita could have ramifications for their bid for Thompson and vice versa. The Warriors have been Brisbane’s nemesis for much of the past 12 months, having pursued Matt Lodge, Tevita Pangai and Jake Turpin.
On each occasion, it is believed their interest forced the Broncos to pay more than would have hoped for Lodge, Pangai and Turpin. The sense was that something would have to give in Brisbane and the hope among their rivals was that it would be Fifita.
Gillett’s premature and unfortunate retirement has changed the landscape dramatically and there is genuine belief in Brisbane that Fifita will commit his future to the club, much like the Trbojevic brothers have done at Manly.
While the Sea Eagles are yet to officially confirm their retention, chair and owner Scott Penn admitted it was only a matter of time before the deal was confirmed.
“We have been on record that we want them to be one-club players,” Penn said.
“We have also said that, that is what we focused don. We didn’t want them to ever look anywhere else. They are incredibly talented and they command respect.
“The negotiations have been respectful. The process has been mindful of their position in the game and what they deserve. We have done our absolute best to give them what they deserve and we believe they are happy with it.”
- Brent Read
Source: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sp...a/news-story/53555a3947a14d932da2b5bb3b035cb8
