Fifita Gone

[rented tracksuit]

I’m so glad we dodged the bullet with this lazy chump. Took the lazy option to leave the Broncos to go and play in God’s waiting room. His heart would never have been in Easts and would’ve been unable to keep up with our club work ethic. We have avoided a “transit lounge” signing.

Welcome back mate.

[Les Tricolores]

Gus Gould Nails it

EXCLUSIVE: Phil Gould claims Roosters 'dodged a bullet' after shock David Fifita backflip

"Personally, I think the Roosters have dodged a bullet," he said on Wide World Of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus.

"I don't think he was going to suit them and I found it a strange signing for them - I'll stand by that.

"I'm not saying I don't think David Fifita is a good player. He is a powerful ball-runner, he's obviously an impact player and he can certainly win games for you.

"I couldn't see him, from what I've seen of his career, fitting into their work ethic … I don't understand it. I just haven't seen it in his career to date."

And according to Gould - who previously coached the Tricolours - the defensive issues in Fifita's game wouldn't have suited the Sydney-based club.

"He doesn't value it - he likes to play when they've got the ball, but he's not so keen on it when they haven't got the ball," Gould said.

"He's not what I would call a work ethic player, he is a powerful ball-runner. It's like under 7s stuff - even on the weekend watching him defensively, he would have a lot of work to do to fit into the Roosters club that prides itself on fitness, work ethic and defence.

"He didn't strike me as a Roosters player."

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-20...8-e45bd89e53d7

Fred Flintstone … the Big Fajita … is a quality player … I am definitely disappointed he reneged … let’s not say we never wanted him here now

But the criticism of him is true … he’s a natural wrecking ball par excellence … and can match Kikau on any given weekend in that regard … but his work rate and football IQ have always been suspect

I think we’ve missed out … and we have been humbled in the market … but it is not as bad as some may say … just as long as we don’t lose Crichton as well … who all round is a better football player anyway

[Chook2]

I wonder how the blokes ego and confidence is going now
fox sports are laying it on perfectly
his management were keen for him to come to the chooks
he just takes the mind of the voice that is talking to him and des and titans have been in his head this week
calling him out for taking the piss, dishonest, lack of respect and integrity, disdain and done himself a disservice

im Sure he would have plenty of thoughts of what the hell have I just done
the roosters now rate him as highly as Latrell
and titans won’t trust him and fans won’t like him

and for the coward to make his management call nick at 10pm to let him know - bloody hell leave it until the morning
maybe they were hoping nick may have taken it easy on them - even says Fifita management didn’t want to make the call and back out on the deal as it was uncle nick

[Rooster_6]

I’m disappointed he’s not coming here anymore, I think he’s a gun player but my biggest disappointment is not so much that we’ve missed out on Fifita as his heart clearly wasn’t going to be in it anyway but that I don’t think there’s any top tier quality talent left on the market for next year and we are left holding a few million dollars of salary cap space that are required to spend due to salary cap rules.

My concern is that we lock ourselves into some 2-3year contracts with mid-tier talent.

[RoosterBooster]

Perhaps they can front end some new contracts so they get paid more next year ?

I’m disappointed he’s not coming here anymore, I think he’s a gun player but my biggest disappointment is not so much that we’ve missed out on Fifita as his heart clearly wasn’t going to be in it anyway but that I don’t think there’s any top tier quality talent left on the market for next year and we are left holding a few million dollars of salary cap space that are required to spend due to salary cap rules.

My concern is that we lock ourselves into some 2-3year contracts with mid-tier talent.

[Steakface]

We're still a chance next season especially if we retain Angus. Manu is the only player moving on who will be hard to replace. I have plenty of faith in Sandon. A new alpha will emerge from an already strong pack which is still developing. Most likely Spencer. Exciting times ahead!

I think we're in a position to go ok. But not a top 6 team in 2025 imo based on likely squad.

But in reality, our 1-5 will be as shaky as its been in a long time.

Manu and Suaallii gone.
Smith (Billy) perpetually injured to the point you assume he wont get on field.
Both Toops and Teddy one year older, and with that comes lack of pace & punch.

Walker will be our shining light.
Smith (Sandon) is solid but it'll take time until he really shines in firsts

The pack looks good overall, but you cannot deny the loss of JWH.
His loss to the squad is MASSIVE, and it will really impact our ability to dominate games.
It's not just what he does, but the impact on the rest of the team that will be missed most.
Spencer has shown he is a hot head, but nothing much else so far. He is not even close to a like-for-like replacement.

[top_joe]

I’m disappointed he’s not coming here anymore, I think he’s a gun player but my biggest disappointment is not so much that we’ve missed out on Fifita as his heart clearly wasn’t going to be in it anyway but that I don’t think there’s any top tier quality talent left on the market for next year and we are left holding a few million dollars of salary cap space that are required to spend due to salary cap rules.

My concern is that we lock ourselves into some 2-3year contracts with mid-tier talent.

Agreed, be better front-loading contracts and biding our time.

[Chook2]

I think we're in a position to go ok. But not a top 6 team in 2025 imo based on likely squad.

But in reality, our 1-5 will be as shaky as its been in a long time.

Manu and Suaallii gone.
Smith (Billy) perpetually injured to the point you assume he wont get on field.
Both Toops and Teddy one year older, and with that comes lack of pace & punch.

Walker will be our shining light.
Smith (Sandon) is solid but it'll take time until he really shines in firsts

The pack looks good overall, but you cannot deny the loss of JWH.
His loss to the squad is MASSIVE, and it will really impact our ability to dominate games.
It's not just what he does, but the impact on the rest of the team that will be missed most.
Spencer has shown he is a hot head, but nothing much else so far. He is not even close to a like-for-like replacement.

Harsh on Spencer he has played 2 games and only 80 min
May and Collins are a little more like jwh, Whyte like sst and Spencer is an impact player - some of his runs last week were brilliant he barrelled a couple of defenders and brings the energy off the bench

[Swamptrout]

QLD media are spinning the story that fifita pulled the plug and ripped contract up after talking to Des and it wasn't Uncle Nick. Guess we'll never know the truth

[JAF]

FMD - the DT is now reporting that Fifita changed his mind because the Titans bought a $4 packet of biscuits for his granny to enjoy every game, so they are a family club …

Not a good idea to burn your bridges with Uncle Nick and the powerful Rooster’s board members!

[Steggles]

Harsh on Spencer he has played 2 games and only 80 min
May and Collins are a little more like jwh, Whyte like sst and Spencer is an impact player - some of his runs last week were brilliant he barrelled a couple of defenders and brings the energy off the bench

I agree with you regarding Spencer, but I’m absolutely certain neither May nor Collins are or will ever be anything like JWH. Don’t get me wrong, both are great at what they do, but they just don't have that Alpha gene that JWH has always had. It’s not something you can learn, you either have it or you don’t. I reckon by this time next year we will truly understanding the gaping hole that he’s left behind.

[dice]

I wonder how the blokes ego and confidence is going now
fox sports are laying it on perfectly
his management were keen for him to come to the chooks
he just takes the mind of the voice that is talking to him and des and titans have been in his head this week
calling him out for taking the piss, dishonest, lack of respect and integrity, disdain and done himself a disservice

im Sure he would have plenty of thoughts of what the hell have I just done
the roosters now rate him as highly as Latrell
and titans won’t trust him and fans won’t like him

and for the coward to make his management call nick at 10pm to let him know - bloody hell leave it until the morning
maybe they were hoping nick may have taken it easy on them - even says Fifita management didn’t want to make the call and back out on the deal as it was uncle nick

IMO Fifita being easily pulled in many different directions is a sign of underlying personal issues. There was no attempt to play teams against each other for financial gain.

I agree he has done himself a disservice because at that price teams want leaders with a clear sense of direction. He has cost himself money in the longer term. I suspect he has possibly also cost himself his girlfriend because women also want men with a clear sense of direction. Titans would be the only team losing sleep over it.

[Chook2]

I’m disappointed he’s not coming here anymore, I think he’s a gun player but my biggest disappointment is not so much that we’ve missed out on Fifita as his heart clearly wasn’t going to be in it anyway but that I don’t think there’s any top tier quality talent left on the market for next year and we are left holding a few million dollars of salary cap space that are required to spend due to salary cap rules.

My concern is that we lock ourselves into some 2-3year contracts with mid-tier talent.

This is the tough part
Fifita and critchon would have been awesome
and we still have money to use so we will pay overs for whoever is around! And there is nothing around atm
why would all Johnson, Gagai and Fifita not sign? Feels Gagai and Johnson got similar offers and didn’t want to move family
but for Fifita to initiate the decision and his management wanting him to take the roosters option only thing that was said last night is he takes whoever is talking to him
at magic round he will talk to the storm next minute be heading there
it will be awkward if he comes past the riff, roosters and uncle nick and robbo walk past him at Brisbane this weekend

[Chook2]

I agree with you regarding Spencer, but I’m absolutely certain neither May nor Collins are or will ever be anything like JWH. Don’t get me wrong, both are great at what they do, but they just don't have that Alpha gene that JWH has always had. It’s not something you can learn, you either have it or you don’t. I reckon by this time next year we will truly understanding the gaping hole that he’s left behind.

Agree feels like not one player will replace him! The whole forward pack will need to step up to make the difference!
spencer is closest and rads can do it
not like jwh but it will up to the whole forward pack to add an inch next season to ease the loss of jwh

[bondi.boy]

Have y'all read the *rubbish* in a news dot com dot au article just now...boy, they're giving it to uncle Nick by the semi trailer load.
'More ruthless than a mafia boss'...etc.
How horrible it was what he did to Fifita...pulling his contract offer.
Then Latrell Mitchell bobs up quoted as saying he was "kicked in the teeth" when Roosters pulled his $800,000 contract offer.
etc etc etc.

I'd phone Uncle Nick and give him my *love* for what he's done for our club and fans over the decades...but I don't have his direct line.

Maybe someone could start an "Uncle Nick Appreciation" thread...and forumites here who can remember the ins and outs of the debacle that was the Latrell Mitchell contract dramas could tell all.