The Penrith Panthers have offered David Fifita a multi-year $850,000 deal that would be one of the club’s most significant signings in recent history.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas is reporting that the Panthers have submitted a formal offer to the Gold Coast Titans star second rower, and that a decision is expected to be made in the next 48 hours.
Fifita has a player option in his contract to stay at the Titans for 2025 and 2026 that must be taken up before the first kick off in Round 10, which is 7:50pm on Thursday. If he fails to do so, he becomes a free agent.
The Queensland Maroons second rower reportedly flew down to Sydney on Sunday night for a secret meeting with Panthers’ coach Ivan Cleary, which the Titans were apparently unaware of.
Taking up the Panthers’ offer would result in a pay cut worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for Fifita, but NRL great Cameron Smith says more needs to be considered than just the money being offered.
“You got to weigh it up, what’s more important to you. Is it your financial situation or do you want to win a premiership?,” Smith told Breakfast with Vossy & Brandy.
“Am I going there as a role player or am I a huge part of what they’re trying to do because if I’m contributing in a huge way to winning a premiership, I’ve got to be paid the sufficient amount as well.
“Ok Penrith, I’ll take a pay cut but if I’m going to be a starter and going to be a big part of you winning a fourth consecutive premiership then I want to be paid too, I’m not coming down here to do your donkey work and get nothing.
“(Hypothetically) I’m on a million, if I’m coming down as a starter and I’m a huge part of your plans, give me $750,000.”
Fifita’s partner, NRLW star Shaylee Bent, is originally from Glenmore Park, near Penrith and is also off contract at the end of this season.
The Panthers have freed up approximately a million dollars in their salary cap after Jarome Luai signed with the Wests Tigers and they released James Fisher-Harris on compassionate grounds.