EXCLUSIVE: Thurston says Fifita was never going to be magic solution for Titans

Queensland rugby league icon Johnathan Thurston is doubtful that sought-after NRL star David Fifita was ever really the answer to Gold Coast's problems.

Fifita reportedly gave a verbal commitment to the Broncos that he will stay in Brisbane, sensationally rejecting a $5 million, five-year deal tabled to him by the Titans.

But Thurston has questioned why the Titans went so hard after the Origin back-rower in the first place, with greater issues to address first at the club.

"They need to tighten up their middle third. Big games are won through the middle third and you need the halves to be playing off the back of that," Thurston said, highlighting the pressure on Ash Taylor and Jamal Fogarty.

Thurston said bringing in Fifita was not the magic solution to suddenly get the Titans into game-winning, premiership-contending form.

"I know Fifita is back-rower and they've signed Tino [Fa'asuamaleaui from 2021] from Melbourne, who has come from a really good football upbringing there," he said.

"So him on one edge and Fifita on the other edge would give them a lot of strike, but I don't think that's going to win them games.

"They need a lot more to do in the middle third there.

"That's a club that has a lot of work ahead of them."

Brisbane are yet to officially confirm the reports of Fifita staying put at Red Hill, but if accurate, it is a huge boost for the equally struggling Broncos who are currently just one place above the Titans in third-last on the NRL ladder.