Penrith Panthers Urged to Seal Deal for ‘Outrageous’ Star David Fifita: Fans Dream of Explosive Pairing with Cleary
Penrith, June 19, 2025 — The Penrith Panthers are being urged to go all-in on the signing of David Fifita, with supporters and pundits alike salivating at the thought of the powerhouse forward lining up alongside Nathan Cleary in what could become one of the NRL’s most devastating partnerships.
With James Fisher-Harris’s departure leaving a notable hole in the Panthers’ forward pack, calls are growing louder for the reigning premiers to replace him with nothing short of a marquee signing — and Fifita is widely regarded as the man for the job.
The Gold Coast Titans enforcer, who has a get-out clause in his current contract, has already been the subject of interest from Penrith, with reports suggesting a three-year, $850,000-per-season deal is being prepared. The idea of bringing Fifita back to Western Sydney — where his partner hails from — has only added fuel to the growing speculation.
“Outrageous” Talent That Could Elevate Penrith’s Dynasty
Fifita, just 24, is already considered one of the most physically gifted players in the league. His blend of size, speed, and agility for a second-rower is unmatched, and rugby league analysts have often called him “outrageous” for his ability to break tackles, offload under pressure, and bulldoze through defensive lines.
Rugby League great and Fox Sports analyst Greg Alexander didn’t mince words when discussing the potential move.
“Imagine David Fifita running off Cleary’s shoulder — it’s borderline unfair,” Alexander said on NRL360. “That kind of destructive threat on the edge would terrify defences. Penrith need to get this deal done.”
Cleary + Fifita = Title No. 5?
With Cleary already considered one of the best halfbacks of his generation, adding a forward like Fifita who can draw in multiple defenders would open up Penrith’s attack in ways never seen before. Cleary thrives on quick play-the-balls and explosive support runners — and that’s exactly what Fifita brings.
Coach Ivan Cleary has long emphasized high fitness, discipline, and effort in his forwards — and while Fifita has faced questions over consistency in the past, many believe Penrith’s system could bring out his absolute best.
“In a high-standard culture like Penrith’s, Fifita could take that next step from elite to unstoppable,” said former Panthers captain Peter Wallace.
The Time to Strike Is Now
Penrith fans have already taken to social media urging the club to finalize the deal, with hashtags like #FifitaToPanthers and #ImagineClearyAndFifita trending after news of advanced talks broke.
Given Fifita’s availability via contract clause, and the Panthers’ need to reinforce their middle-forward rotation, the timing seems perfect. Add to that the personal pull of family ties in the Penrith region, and the move makes more and more sense.
What’s Next?
The Panthers’ front office is expected to meet with Fifita’s management in the coming days, with a decision possibly arriving before the team’s next pre-season camp. Should the club get their man, the defending champions may have just pulled off the transfer of the decade — and set the stage for a new chapter in their dominance.
Watch this space — the Cleary-Fifita era might just be about to begin.
