David Fifita Rabbitohs move hinges on Lewis Dodd’s South Sydney exit

The Titans have granted Fifita permission to explore the market just weeks after the Rabbtiohs did the same with Dodd.

Dodd’s future in the NRL remains clouded with clubs so far baulking at his $650,000 price tag. It is understood that the Rabbitohs have agreed to chip in about $250,000 a season for the next two years but that does not seem like it will be enough to entice rival clubs.

Dodd, who still has two years left on his contract, may be forced to return to the Super League next year if he wants to play at the top level.

The Rabbitohs need to clear some cap space in order to accommodate Fifita.

Fifita is believed to be on a deal worth around $900,000 next season and the Gold Coast would need to contribute towards his salary in 2026.

Fifita is facing a significant pay cut beyond that unless he can rediscover the form that had the likes of Ivan Cleary and Trent Robinson battling for his signature at one point last year.

Ultimately, he made the decision to stay at the Titans after backflipping on the Roosters, a decision that has now backfired after he failed to win the trust of Gold Coast coach Des Hasler.

Even with Hasler expected to be shown the door at season’s end, the Gold Coast have decided to sever ties with Fifita and Souths seem certain to pounce as they look to provide coach Wayne Bennett with more forward artillery next season.

The Rabbitohs have a tight salary cap but are expected to free up some room if Dodd finally secures a new club.

Dodd has played just 68 minutes in the no. 7 jersey he was bought to fill for South Sydney this off-season after arriving as a marquee signing.

He has featured in just six games – largely off the bench. With South Sydney having the bye next round and with just one game to go, it is unlikely that he will feature in first grade again at the Rabbitohs.

TITANS LAUNCH MONSTER DEAL TO BLOCK CAMPBELL POACHING RAID

—Peter Badel

Gold Coast have tabled a monster $4.5 million offer for Jayden Campbell in a deal that stands to make the Titans whizkid one of the NRL’s next $1 million-a-season superstars.

This masthead can reveal the Titans have put forward a five-year extension for Campbell ahead of Saturday’s home clash against the Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium.

But the Titans face a huge battle for his signature, with Campbell now one of the most sought-after commodities in the code after emerging as a shining light in Gold Coast’s season of disaster.

Campbell’s electrifying attacking game has attracted interest from five NRL rivals, including the Dragons, who believe he can light up the Red V backline.

The 25-year-old is off-contract at the end of next season, making him a free agent from November 1 this year, when Campbell would be able to field formal offers from NRL suitors.

But the Titans are moving quickly to thwart a big-money poaching raid – and have tabled a massive offer of their own to ensure the Helensvale Hornets junior stays on the Glitter Strip.

The extension would secure the flashy playmaker to the Gold Coast until the end of 2031 with Titans powerbrokers believing the son of club legend Preston Campbell can help deliver the club’s first premiership.

The Titans’ inaugural football manager Scott Sattler, who signed Campbell’s father Preston for the club’s historic maiden season in 2007, believes Jayden can be Gold Coast’s franchise player.

“It would be great if Jayden stays loyal,” Sattler said.

“He has all the qualities to be a poster boy for the Titans.

“His dad made his debut on the Gold Coast in 1998 and Jayden’s family has had such a great legacy with the Titans.

“Jayden has really matured as a player and person and from all reports his commitment is outstanding, so I believe he’s got potential leadership in him.”

Since making his debut for the Titans in 2021, Campbell has developed into one of the club’s most bankable stars, scoring 24 tries from 75 games.

Like his father, Jayden is a fan favourite who has already provided some highlight reel moments with his speed, flair and attacking brilliance at fullback, five-eighth or halfback.

Campbell is on an estimated $700,000 this season. It is understood his upgraded offer starts at around $800,000 and reaches $1 million at the back end of the five-year term, which would make Campbell one of the highest-paid players in Titans history.

Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita have reached the $1 million salary mark at the Titans.

The Titans are hopeful Campbell will commit to the new deal but the Indigenous ace has put contract talks on hold amid uncertainty over the future of Gold Coast coach Des Hasler.

Campbell is a fan of Hasler and wants certainty over the Titans’ coaching post before he inks any upgraded extension.

The classy playmaker’s preference is to remain on the Gold Coast given his family’s links to the region, but a number of NRL rivals are armed with huge offers in a bid to blow the Titans out of the water.

Sattler hopes that doesn’t happen, saying Campbell can spearhead Gold Coast’s revival and live up to the pressure of being a $1 million player.

“Potentially, he is worth $1 million, absolutely,” Sattler said.

“You also have to weigh up what a player can bring off the field, how they engage with the local community and whether they’ve got a good connection to the fans.

“Jayden ticks all those boxes.

“He’s a local junior, his father is a Titans legend and Jayden played his footy on the Gold Coast, so it would be great to see him at the forefront of the Titans’ success.

“Like his father, Jayden is a very brave player and he just has that instinctive brilliance that you can’t coach.”