League legend Willie Mason has reached out to David Fifita, urging the sidelined Titans star to take his recent demotion to reserve grade seriously as he strives to secure his spot in the team. The highly regarded back-rower, who is reportedly earning around $1 million a year on the Gold Coast until the end of next season, has experienced a rocky start to the season, leading to coach Des Hasler’s decision to drop him.
In a segment on the Levels Network, Mason highlighted the need for both Fifita and Hasler to find a “happy medium” upon his eventual return to the NRL. Mason expressed his shock and disappointment, questioning Fifita’s direction and calling him one of the game’s most explosive forwards. He mentioned that this juncture could significantly impact Fifita’s career. According to Mason, if Fifita excels in reserve grade, he could return to the NRL as a revamped player. However, if he dismisses this chance and resumes as though nothing has changed, that might lead to regret.
Mason emphasised that Fifita possesses immense talent but stressed the importance of harnessing it effectively. He believes the opportunity to reflect and make improvements could be critical for Fifita’s career trajectory. The Bulldogs premiership winner continued, stating that Hasler must comprehend what motivates Fifita, suggesting that when in form, the player is fierce and dominant—attributes that are currently underutilised.
Moreover, Mason lamented seeing a player of Fifita’s calibre in reserve grade, suggesting it is disheartening when he should be contending for a State of Origin position. He implied that Fifita needs to demonstrate a greater commitment to rugby league, indicating a worrying attitude that could detract from his performance.
Fifita himself commented to News Corp recently, hinting that the “truth” surrounding his axing will eventually surface, leaving fans eager for further insight into the situation. As the Titans navigate this season, all eyes will be on whether Fifita can reignite his career effectively or if this setback will define his path forward in the sport.