Contracts that went bad: David Fifita joins NRL's infamous shame file after bombshell decision
NRL contracts that quickly turned sour
Rugby league has one of the weirdest systems in place for teams signing players - and it's been on full display over the years with some high-profile stars.
With players able to sign with clubs for a following season but allowed a 'cooling off' period, there's been plenty of backflips and reversals after pen was put to paper.
David Fifita and Daly Cherry-Evans have become the most notable names to turn their backs on big-money contracts, while supercoach Wayne Bennett has done a similar thing on two separate occasions.
There's also been times where the club has opted to terminate an agreement, with Ben Barba and Andrew Fifita having their contracts torn up before taking the field.
More recently, players were signed to contracts with clubs, but failed their medicals and were left stranded.
Let's take a look through a list of NRL deals that fell through.
Wayne Bennett - Sydney Roosters
In what would have been the most powerful meeting of the minds in NRL history, the legendary coach was set to join the Roosters in 2006.
However, after the deal fell through, Bennett would remain at the Broncos for another two seasons, before moving to the Dragons in 2009.
Luke Lewis - South Sydney Rabbitohs
The original player to backflip on a deal was Lewis, who signed a four-year deal with the Rabbitohs in 2008.
The back-rower would renege on the move to remain with Penrith for another four seasons, before linking up with Cronulla.
Arana Taumata - Melbourne Storm
One of rugby league's most infamous bad boys, Taumata looked set to become a major star at the Storm in 2009, with coach Craig Bellamy revealing plans to use the playmaker in the starting side.
However, before he could even step onto the field, Taumata was sacked by the club due to off-field indiscretions.
Taumata would meet a similar fate at the Wests Tigers in 2010.
His career - which had plenty of promise - was limited to just 14 first grade appearances with the Bulldogs, Cowboys and Panthers.
Greg Inglis - Brisbane Broncos
In the wake of Melbourne's salary cap cheating scandal in 2010, the superstar centre was forced to move on from the club and looked set to join the Broncos.
That was until Russell Crowe got his way, bringing Inglis to Redfern in the biggest signing in the club's storied history.
The move would eventually see Inglis help snap a 43-year premiership doubt for the Rabbitohs in the 2014 grand final.
Tim Moltzen - St George Illawarra Dragons
Another early back-flipper was Moltzen, who inked a three-year deal with the Dragons in 2011 in a huge move.
By the end of the year, Moltzen had expressed his desire to stay at the Tigers, where he was never formally released from his contract, leaving the Dragons blindsided and without a marquee signing for 2012.
The decision from St George Illawarra to announce the signing was labelled as "disrespectful and arrogant" by former Tigers boss, Stephen Humphreys.
James Tedesco - Canberra Raiders
What could have been!
In a forgotten move that ended up falling through, Tedesco signed a three-year deal to join the Green Machine in 2014.
However, after careful consideration, the fullback changed his mind and opted to stay at the Wests Tigers.
Andrew Fifita - Canterbury Bulldogs
One of the most damaging props of the past decade, Fifita signed with the Bulldogs in March 2014 on a rich multi-year deal worth $800,000 per season.
But just three weeks later, Canterbury terminated the contract after the "terms could not be agreed" despite the club already announcing his arrival.
Fifita would stay at Cronulla for the remainder of his NRL career, winning a premiership in 2016.
Josh Papalii - Parramatta Eels
Another high-profile forward who had signed with a rival club and backflipped, Papalii was set to move to the Eels in 2014.
Just two weeks later, the prop reneged on the deal with Parramatta and opted to remain at the Raiders.
Papalii has stayed in the nation's capital for the remainder of his career and looks set to retire as a one-club player.
Wayne Bennett - St George Illawarra Dragons
Bennett's backflip on the Roosters wasn't the only time he burnt a club.
After a successful three-year stint with the Dragons, followed by a less-than-stellar tenure with the Knights, the coach had a handshake deal in place to return to the Red V for the 2015 season.
Bennett would ultimately backflip on the move and head back to Brisbane, with the Saints left in an awkward spot.
