EXCLUSIVE: Phil Gould Reveals What David Fifita ‘Fails to Deliver’ as Titans Face Setback

Phil Gould has ramped up the pressure on the Gold Coast Titans, labelling their bid to lure David Fifita away from the Broncos as an “irresponsible expenditure”.

The talented second-rower made a sensational debut in 2018 with the Broncos and was quickly noted as a player of immense potential.

In 2020, a fierce contest ensued between the Broncos and the Titans for Fifita’s services, with Gold Coast ultimately making him the highest-paid player in the league, signing him to a three-year contract worth $1.25 million per season.

His initial year was spectacular, featuring multiple hat-tricks and an Origin selection. As of 2023, he played in all three Origin matches, continuing to develop under the guidance of Justin Holbrook. By that point, he had also re-committed to the Titans on a contract that saw a slight reduction in his standing on the NRL’s rich list, including a clause linking his future to the coach’s tenure.

With Holbrook’s dismissal and Des Hasler’s appointment in 2024, Fifita faced a situation where he could leave the club, resulting in a proposed move to the Roosters, who managed to outbid Penrith for his signature. However, Fifita later opted to stay with the Titans, signing on for another $1.1 million deal.

The following year was tumultuous, with his absence from the Origin squad and subsequent dropping by the Titans, leading to his recent appearances in the Queensland Cup. Reports suggest he’s now being offered to other teams.

Gould believes many of the issues stemmed from Fifita’s initial substantial contract signed back in 2020.

“It’s difficult to articulate, but David Fifita must take the time to reflect on his career trajectory thus far. While he can’t change the past, he can reassess the present,” he commented on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus.

“David Fifita arrived on the scene with the Broncos, and the Titans signed him to a massive deal, which I remarked upon at the time was an irresponsible purchase that inflated player values and placed undue pressure on the competition.”

“That contract was, in fact, reckless and has not benefitted David Fifita in any way. It has hindered his growth and development.”

“…Sometimes these contracts result from clubs’ desperation and emotional decision-making.”

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With Fifita’s lucrative earnings, the pressure on his performance intensified.

While he was representing in Origin under Holbrook, questions always lingered regarding his ability to maximise his full potential.

Those concerns have never been more pronounced, and his future at the Titans now hangs in the balance.

While Gould acknowledges that Fifita was justified in accepting the lucrative offer, describing it as “too lucrative to turn down,” he states it proved “detrimental” to his growth.

“Young players require careful management and must realise that early in their careers, it’s not purely about financial gain, but rather their development,” he stated.

“I’ve witnessed patterns with clubs and coaches, not solely in my own experience but across the league, where they hire a high-priced player and then cease to develop that player because they assume their compensation negates the need for coaching.”

“The expectations become overwhelming. The scrutiny escalates. Disappointments loom larger due to their high salary, leading them to focus on their wage rather than on their development needs.”

“Conversely, a highly paid player often becomes difficult to coach.”

“I’m not indicating this reflects David Fifita’s situation; I don’t know him personally. However, certain players can become complacent about their training and handle their stress in various ways.”

Gould also noted that the “flaws” in Fifita’s game were apparent from his early days at the Broncos.

The Bulldogs general manager stated that coaches have effectively identified how to exploit his weaknesses while neutralising his strengths.

“When investing in a player at that stage of their career, are you merely assuming he will consistently produce spectacular 50-metre tries? That’s unrealistic. Other astute coaches will quickly devise strategies to exhaust him and negate his impact.”

“He’s 25 years old. This should be the dawn of his career, yet he finds himself playing for Ipswich.”

“This period was meant to be where he honed his skills, learned to train effectively, understood nutrition, embraced sleep, developed his football IQ, and became not only a valuable member of his team but also an excellent teammate.

“I believe he possesses immense talent. There are aspects of his play that could be advantageous for any team. However, the unresolved issues in his game continue to persist.”

When asked for specifics regarding these issues, Gould opted not to elaborate.

Nonetheless, he did express that Fifita’s next career move should consider factors beyond financial rewards.

“By the age of 25, he has likely earned more than most players of his age in history. He must reflect on how he can achieve contentment,” he elaborated.

“A content 35-year-old player, exiting the game with a body of work I can take pride in. How can I become a long-term representative-class player contributing positively to my club’s success?”

“There’s a wealth of time ahead of him. If he takes the next few years to place himself in a solid environment with supportive individuals and alleviates the pressure of personal performance in terms of winning matches for his team, he stands to gain immensely.”

“His sole understanding of how to contribute to his team’s success seems to revolve around scoring tries, figuring that’s the essence of rugby league. However, his responsibilities encompass much more than that; the scoring aspect should be seen as a bonus.”

“He needs to recognise the broader range of requirements to be a valued professional player, which, unfortunately, he hasn’t demonstrated.”