He is the man who owns one of the greatest moments in the history of the Cronulla Sharks – now Andrew Fifita has the rest of his career to create many more.
The club announced on Friday afternoon Fifita had signed a four-year contract extension. The NSW State of Origin and Australia representative was already signed for next season, with his new deal to keep him in the black, white and blue until 2022.
Fifita has been invaluable for Cronulla on the field since arriving at the club in 2012, with Sunday’s game against Manly to be his 115th for the Sharks.
He has now played nine Origins and six Tests and will always be remembered in the shire for his match-winning try in Cronulla’s grand final win over Melbourne last season.
But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Fifita.
Last season the NRL issued a breach notice and fined Fifita $20,000 over his support for one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge. Fifita wore arm bands with “FKL” written on the strapping, which he said stood for 'For Kieran Loveridge'. Loveridge was convicted of killing Thomas Kelly in 2012. The NRL also prevented him from being considered for Australia's victorious Four Nations campaign over the matter.
The year before, Fifita and his brother, David, copped six-week NRL bans for an incident at an A-Grade match in Sydney’s west, with Andrew also receiving a $30,000 fine for referee abuse.
But, with his 28th birthday next week and he and his wife, Nikki, expecting their third child, Fifita is eyeing a more mature future.
While he is already part of Cronulla’s leadership group, Fifita is keen to help Wade Graham – the man expected to take over as Sharks captain from Paul Gallen – lead their club to more glory.
“I know when you look at the future you see Wade Graham taking over the club. I’ve grown up with Wadeo and I’ve always been one of his fans even though he’s younger than me,” Fifita said.
“But I’ve got that much respect for him and it’s guys like him that I want to be around in the future with and just show that leadership around the club. We’ve seen the success we’ve had last year by building around some individual players and getting a great culture at the club.”
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has been one of Fifita’s staunchest supporters. As many of the best coaches have to do working with young men, Flanagan has at times had to offer Fifita his counsel and support. Other times, a kick in the backside.
“We’ve all seen the growth in Andrew off the field and his football has gone to a new level as well over the last couple of seasons,” he said.
“He is a match-winner as we saw in the grand final and then again in the first Origin game and to have him here at the club for a further five years is very exciting.”
Fifita said he was delighted to be staying with the club and hoped to build on what he had already accomplished.
“I’m pretty wrapped, to be honest. It’s pretty positive, to say that I’m here for the next five years is a very long time but I know how fast it can be,” he said.
“I’ve had success here before and things are going really well at the moment especially with club footy. For myself, everything is positive on and off the field around the club. I enjoy everything at the club, its culture, its youth. Some of the older heads in the team that have really helped me along my journey and given me the experience to help out some of our youth.
“It’s an opportunity and I’ve grabbed it with both hands. I’m quite excited.”
