To be honest, it's not totally bad news for us that Newcastle want him. It shows other top teams think we have a good one.
If it turns out we only have a good one to the end of the season then so be it. Still a bonus for us.

Worse case scenario - he has a blast with us, goes home at the end of the season, and tells the players he associates with that Wakey is a decent little club that will treat you right; that does no harm in terms of our future ability to recruit from the NRL.

Best case - he has a blast with us, and decides to stay for another season.

Correct, there is nothing going on here. It's a bit like the Aussies used to do when we played in the winter and it used to work rather well for some clubs.

Fifita is not our property. Whether he stays next year it will all be down to cold hard cash.

Some people love to make a drama.

Seems like Newcastle have taken your scouting report seriously. A great shout.. no really!

The option to extend his deal beyond the end of this season - is that up the club alone or does the player have a say in it?

I only ask as you wonder if we could extend the deal and request a fee from Newcastle if the rumours are true.

I believe it said fifita has the option of next year not the club.