An emotional Andrew Fifita has laid naked his need to play right into a 14th NRL season after conceding his time at Cronulla would come to an end in 2022.
Fifita informed Sharks teammates on Tuesday he wouldn’t be staying at the membership subsequent yr, with Saturday’s conflict in opposition to Canterbury to be his final common season match at residence for Cronulla.
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One of the Sharks’ best ever forwards, Fifita felt the time was proper to maneuver on and never stand in the way in which of the membership’s subsequent era of middles.
In 11 years as a Shark, Fifita went from a useful pick-up to a NSW and Kangaroos Take a look at prop and one of the celebs of the Pacific revolution.
Cronulla captain Wade Graham additionally detailed on Thursday how his shut mate will eternally dwell within the membership’s historical past, scoring the match-winning attempt of their solely grand closing win in 2016.
“The best thing I ever did was was come over from the Wests Tigers,” Fifita mentioned.
“It was the best move I ever made. For me personally and for my wife.
“(But) I think it’s time for me to move on from the Sharks.
“As much as I’m heartbroken, I’m quite happy that I’ve left on good terms. And especially with the young ones coming through, it’s time to depart.”
Off contract at the end of the yr, Fifita mentioned he and coach Craig Fitzgibbon had spoken about future off-field roles at the membership.
The 33-year-old has eyes on creating a cultural program with the NRL and the Sharks, given his expertise in each the Polynesian and Indigenous area.
However for now, the prop is adamant he nonetheless has extra video games left in him.
Fifita mentioned there had been approaches from different sides, and refused to rule out the possibility of rejoining the Tigers subsequent yr and reuniting with coach Tim Sheens as he begins his second stint because the membership’s coach.
There is additionally vital curiosity within the English Tremendous League, together with his brother David enjoying for Wakefield Trinity.
“I wouldn’t say (this is my) retirement, I reckon I’ve still got another year in me somewhere else,” Fifita mentioned.
“I’d be there to help grow the club, grow the team, grow the young ones and help how to get there in the final stages.”
Fifita had solely bought by way of this season after recovering from a fractured larynx which left him in a coma late final yr, a degree the is the supply of nice satisfaction.
“It was the worst thing for for my family and myself, but it also was the best thing … because I had a struggling knee injury, and it gave me the recovery that I needed to get going,” he mentioned.
“Learning to walk again, learning to turn all the muscles on with what is needed. And I haven’t missed a beat this year.”
Fifita’s announcement got here as Graham labelled him one of the all-time biggest Sharks, with the ahead named of their staff of the half-century in 2016.
“He’s up there,” Graham mentioned.
“Obviously games played and years of service, the amount of games, big games and that iconic moment with the try he scored in the grand final.”
