Fifita's lawyer, Ian Denham, of Moray and Agnew, said: "We're disappointed with the way the Bulldogs have responded to our efforts to resolve Andrew's claim. So it looks like we'll have to go to the next level and start court proceedings. I don't know much about Mr Hasler's case, and maybe there are some parallels with that case and Andrew's, but the court won't be all that interested in those similarities, and nor are we. "We have a good case to put together and will definitely be doing that. As I said, it's a pity we've been put in a position of having to litigate, but we're definitely heading in that direction." Willett said a deal had been done "in good faith". "Then they sent us a contract which didn't reflect the document they signed," he said. "They asked his [Fifita's] agent Ben Johnston to rip up the document and said they'd make things up to us. "You may not remember, but Andrew went through a really bad time after that. His mental health took a bad turn and it was this that tipped him over the edge."

Even though Fifita subsequently signed a new deal with the Sharks, this column understands his legal team will be going after the full amount of the contract. The Bulldogs chief executive at the time was Raelene Castle, but she has since left the club. The Bulldogs are also set for a showdown with Hasler, who was announced as coach for two more years and then let go and not paid out. Hasler is seeking $2 million indamages. The Bulldogs did not respond to attempts to contact the club for comment. Meanwhile, if anyone was going to say that Fifita should have been awarded a try for his last-minute charge against England you'd think it would have been his ever supportive club coach Shane Flanagan.

"The refs got it right," Flanagan said. "If it had happened earlier in the game it would have been a knock-on and scrum. And they got it right in the last minute." Revolutionary deal could make star one of richest players in NRL From the outside it looks like Mitchell Pearce went to Newcastle for the cash above all else. But sometimes the devil is inthe detail. It is actually a selfless and smart deal that indicates he is putting the team first. New chapter: Mitchell Pearce has structured a deal that offers plenty of motivation. Credit:AAP Pearce is focusing on rebuilding the Knights and that's where he stands to earn some real dollars. Pearce has struck a revolutionary deal for a player; it is more aligned to what a coach may seek.

Pearce has removed all individual incentives from the contract and, instead, stands to profit from the success of the team. If the Knights make the top eight his deal triggers a bonus. If they make the top four the bonus is bigger still. If they attain that level of success Pearce will have close to the richest deal in the NRL. It's a smart deal that club and player are delighted with. Pearce will create own legacy: Joey The Knights' greatest player, Andrew Johns, says Mitchell Pearce won't be haunted by the legacy Johns left at Newcastle. "My time won't be a burden ... I can't even remember when I played," Johns said. "Mitchell has lived with expectations his whole life. We've known about him since he was a young man. His dad was a champion player. He can deal with playing for Newcastle. He's his own man, Mitchell ... there should be no comparison to myself or anyone else who has played in the Newcastle jumper."

Pearce is the biggest signing the club has made in years, but not the biggest, says Johns. "I haven't thought that much if he is the club's greatest signing ... that would be Ben Kennedy," Johns said. "Time will tell where Mitchell ranks next to Ben. Mitchell will give Newcastle that confidence that they didn't have last year – they lost a lot of close games. With Mitchell that won't happen. He can propel them into the top eight. I know that Mitchell wants to win a premiership and if he can do that here he can have a legacy that will last forever." Mitch inspiration Boyd Cordner has paid tribute to former teammate Mitchell Pearce. And perhaps the Roosters need to worry that Cordner will be influenced by the Peace situation when it comes to his next deal. Cordner will start worrying about his next contract now that the World Cup is done. The Roosters have told Cordner they want him to stay put – for the long haul. As Blues captain, he is the player the club will be built around.

Cordner grew up supporting the Sharks, but has been a Rooster through and through. He was 16 when he joined the club and is now co-captain with Jake Friend. One of the reasons he joined the club was Pearce. "He's one of my close mates and one of the very best players I've played alongside," Cordner said. "He's a good man, Pearcey, and one hell of a football player. He was a big part of me joining the Roosters ... He was young when I joined ... to see him take control of a team at a young age inspired me and he showed me the way." Mates: Boyd Cordner and Mitchell Pearce find a light moment after Blues training. Credit:Brendan Esposito Cordner has really bonded with Pearce's replacement as well.

"Even before he signed with the Roosters, Cooper [Cronk] always had time for me," Cordner said. "As a young bloke on the 2013 World Cup tour he helped me out a lot and he gave me the most valuable thing – his time. I didn't know what to expect as a young guy coming into that environment, and for him being the player he is, just was a mate straight up and gave me his time. It's now pretty natural to gravitate towards him as he signed with the Roosters."Lamb chop? The dominoes from the Pearce move to Newcastle are fascinating. Brock Lamb has been linked to Manly, but what of Trent Hodkinson, who is on a big deal? And then there is one of the best young halves in the game, Jack Cogger. The path for him is suddenly a much tougher one. Boot and all The greatest mark of respect for Cam Smith was not the Golden Boot he received for being judged the world's best player. It was the reaction of his Kangaroos teammates. The event where the award was presented also served as a preview of the World Cup final. That part of the proceedings had concluded and the teams left the room. But then, slowly the Aussies returned to the event when they saw that their skipper had remained. Each player came back to watch their skipper get the award. They stood and applauded in a mark of respect that shows what he means to the Kangaroos set-up.

Immortal-in-waiting: Cameron Smith has enormous respect among his peers. Credit:AAP Smith has wondered out loud for the last week or so about whether he will continue his rep career. Those who know him well say it's in no doubt. And his expressed desire to reach 400 NRL games says the fire still burns. Smith is playing with the freedom of a man who has no more to prove and who knows his days are numbered. It's why he has experienced his finest season to date. Tweet and sour

Jarryd Hayne is always deeply moved when he spends time with the Fijian league side and his religious sense is heightened. So much so that he was planing a trip to Jerusalem during the week. His departure from the Gold Coast became official when Hayne sat down in a cafe on Thursday morning and told Gold Coast chief executive Graham Annesley. But this columnist tweeted the news during that meeting. "My phone was blowing up during the meeting where he was telling me his plans," Annesley said. Hayne has many critics, but this move is about his daughter and being closer to her. It's an attitude to be admired instead of mocked. We told you in '99

The Susie O'Neill-Don Burke issue was first reported in this column more than 18 years ago, but at that point no one would go on the record. We attempted to highlight his behaviour. Here is what we reported. Loading "Interesting to note that Don Burke's controversial interview with Susie O'Neill went to air on Friday night. It was reported that O'Neill broke down during it, offended by a line of questioning ... The Last Word has been contacted by two other sporting types who were down on Burke's interviewing technique. Apparently, the matter is not dead yet." Danny Weidler is a Channel Nine news reporter