Gold Coast Titans star David Fifita opens up about his shock NRL axing - 'real truth will come out'

Daily Mail​

03-05-2025

Gold Coast Titans star David Fifita has declared the 'real truth will come out' surrounding his NRL axing - as the representative backrower prepares to turn out for the Ipswich Jets in the Queensland Cup.
Fifita, 25, was dropped by Titans coach Des Hasler following the team's last start 50-18 defeat against the Cowboys.
The contrast couldn't be bigger - while his teammates will tackle the Bulldogs at a sold out Suncorp Stadium during Magic Round on Sunday, Fifita will instead run out at North Ipswich Reserve versus Northern Pride.
But rather than kick stones, Fifita - on a contract worth $1million a season - is determined to fight his way back into Hasler's plans.
'There is a reason for why this has happened....the real truth will come out one day,' he told News Corp.
'Everyone doesn't know the real story. 'It's hard for me to speak the truth now, but I'll have fun and smile and play well for the Jets.
Fifita - on a contract worth $1 million a season - will play for Ipswich this weekend in the Q Cup and is determined to fight his way back into Hasler's plans
'I know what I can do when I feel happy and comfortable....and what side [left] I want to play on. 'I'll be giving 100 per cent. It is what it is.'
Fifita has endured a testing five years on the Gold Coast since quitting the Broncos in 2020.
He also has ankle surgery last year which limited his pre-season training.
Ipswich chairman Steve Johnson has known the Queensland Origin star since he was a kid - and doesn't anticipate Fifita will be playing reserve grade for long.
'David has taken it extraordinarily well. He was always going to,' he told AAP.
'He and I have a long relationship, and when he rang this week, he was excited to get back and play with the Jets.
'He just needs to clear his head and enjoy it, he is ready to rip in.'
Fifita's future at the Titans is blurred given he will be a free agent when he enters the final year of his contract on November 1.
He famously backflipped on a whopping $3.4million contract with the Sydney Roosters last year because he didn't want to move away from his partner Shaylee Bent.
She is a footy star in her own right, on the books of the Titans' NRLW side until at least the end of the 2027 season.