David Fifita 'circus' leaves collateral damage at Roosters as scorned star eyes vacated $3.3m contract
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David Fifita put forth a late audition for Australian athletics' Olympics team by performing the best backflip seen in rugby league since Daly Cherry-Evans scorned the Titans nine years ago.
The powerhouse State of Origin forward walked back on a deal to join the Roosters on Wednesday, and instead agreed to stick with Gold Coast for a further two years.
The bombshell turnaround has left the Chooks fuming - and rightfully so.
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The club had already made moves in regards to Sitili Tupouniua, reportedly giving the back-rower permission to negotiate for 2025 and beyond.
And then there's Angus Crichton, who clearly had his nose out of joint after the Roosters signed Fifita on a huge deal, despite his own form placing him in NSW contention.
It now leaves the Bondi-based outfit with egg on their face and facing plenty of huge decisions and question marks, while Fifita remains on the glitter strip for 2025 and 2026.
IS THE DOOR STILL OPEN FOR FIFITA AT BONDI?
Short answer? No - not in this lifetime.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis is one of the most powerful men in rugby league and he's also a no-nonsense operator.
Nick Politis hasn't taken too kindly to David Fifita's backflip. Getty
He famously doesn't react well to being jilted or messed around. The club statement on Wednesday hinted at how filthy the club was at Fifita, despite wishing him well.
It's well known Politis hasn't spoken to Wayne Bennett since the great coach reneged on a handshake deal to join the club in 2005.
That's two decades without a word shared between two of the game's biggest figures.
So if you think Politis will forgive Fifita any time soon, you're sorely mistaken.
Contracts that went bad: David Fifita joins NRL's infamous shame file after bombshell decision
Contracts that went bad: David Fifita joins NRL's infamous shame file after bombshell decision
CAN THEY KEEP ANGUS CRICHTON?
The pursuit of Fifita raised plenty of eyebrows in the first place - none moreso than those of Phil Gould, who questioned why the Roosters needed the explosive back-rower.
The club already have the aforementioned Tupouniua, Nat and Egan Butcher and Siua Wong signed for several more years - not to mention Crichton, who is still unsigned.
Fifita's deal looked certain to push Crichton out of the club, just as he had regained the form that saw him represent the Blues and Kangaroos two years ago.
Crichton's $600,000-a-year contract is expiring in October and reports claimed he may have had offers from Rugby Australia and South Sydney at a minimum.
Angus\u00a0Crichton celebrates scoring a try. Getty
The 28-year-old publicly expressed his dismay that \, and several teammates on Tuesday expressed a desire for the club to re-sign Crichton.
The Chooks will surely now put a deal in front of the star who has rediscovered a home on the team's left edge this season.
And no one could blame Crichton - who is all but assured a spot in the Blues lineup for State of Origin - for demanding the $850,000-a-year Fifita was going to pocket.
HOW WILL ROOSTERS USE THE MONEY?
As mentioned above, the club may just put the $3.3m Fifita contract in front of Crichton and hope it smooths over any ill feeling between the parties.
But the Tricolours still have buckets of money going forward thanks to the looming exits of a number of big-money stars.
Joseph\u00a0Manu is on the move next year. Getty
High-paid centres Joseph Suaalii and Joey Manu are both jumping ship to rugby, while halfback Luke Keary and prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are retiring.
The club has been busy combing through the NRL marketplace in recent times, too.
They narrowly missed out on the signature of veteran Knights centre Dane Gagai last week, while fresh reports have linked superstar Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga to a move south after some recent dramas involving his deal at the Knights.
Blaize Talagi is another player who will be in high-demand after turning down a player option to remain with the Eels for 2025, placing him firmly on the open market.
Blaize Talagi celebrating his try for Parramatta against the Broncos in Round 10. NRL Images
The teenager's early glimpses in the top grade could have Roosters officials excited, as well as Talagi's ability to cover a number of backline positions.
The lack of quality middle-forwards available for next season, as well as the emergence of Terrell May and Naufahu Whyte, could see the Chooks opt against signing a prop to replace Waerea-Hargreaves.
While the departures of the high-profile quartet listed above will see plenty of money available to spend immediately, Trent Robinson and the club's powerbrokers may opt to wait until November 1 and attempt to find marquee names for the long-term.
