Official Andrew Fifita

sharks2010

sharks2010

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Cronulla forward Andrew Fifita is averaging 164 metres and 32 tackles a game in a strong start to the NRL season.
0
6 April 2016
It was the indiscretion that rubbed him out for six weeks, but it took Andrew Fifita over six months to heed the lesson.

The Cronulla prop admitted he ignored the criticism he copped for abusing a referee at a junior rugby league match last July, thumbing his nose at the controversial six-game ban.

"I kind of brushed that last year when I had my opportunity to play in the semis," he said.

"That was my time to focus on footy. I had two games to prove I was back to my best, when I wasn't."

But after a summer of soul-searching, the former NSW State of Origin and Australian forward is now on the cusp of a return to the representative arena following a stellar start to the new season.

In a return to his number-crunching best, Fifita is averaging a remarkable 164 metres, 32 tackles, two tackle breaks and two offloads a game over the first five rounds.

And last year's smack in the bum is the catalyst.

An ultimatum from coach Shane Flanagan now has the former Wests Tigers prop focusing more on the amount of times he gets in trouble with the referees than he does causing trouble for the opposition.

"It could be one penalty in the game and I focus more on that even if I'm busting tackles or I get an offload away," the 26-year-old said.

"Flanno said if I knock out that out of my game, then you're back in those rep jerseys.

"And that's a goal that I want to achieve. I find myself one of the leaders in the club so I want to be back where I should be. It's just one of those things you strive for.

"I've been there before, had a taste of it and I want it back now."

Stepping out as a Blue alongside retiring NSW Origin and club captain Paul Gallen is another goal.

"I'm playing club footy with him, why not be on the rep scene with him?" he said.

"It's one of those opportunities you wouldn't want to miss. Hopefully for myself it isn't his last year though, I reckon he has one more year in him. Either way hopefully we let Gal go out on a good note."
Click to expand...
http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=224169&cat=977&fm=newsmain,narts

Love this big ****
 
snowman

snowman

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he has started the year well, consistency is his key

did it in '13, needs to do it again now

will be perfect off the bench in origin
 
A

apezza

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Just needs to gid rid of the one silly penalty each game for going on in the tackle. At least he is working on his game. Glad he has fixed up the play the balls.
 
sharks2010

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Removing the ill-discipline in his game to ensure a more positive mindset is the mantra for firebrand Sharks prop Andrew Fifita as he pushes for a return to representative football.

Fifita believes playing smarter will ensure he critiques his own performances in a constructive way.

The 26-year-old also didn't shy away from the fact his six-week suspension late last season for an incident involving a junior referee has helped him establish a newfound maturity.


"I think I kind of brushed [my suspension] last year when I had my opportunity to play in the semis. I guess that was my time to focus back on football. I had two games just to prove I was back to my best when I wasn't," Fifita said.

"It's in the back of my mind but then again it's a whole new year. Cronulla's never won a premiership and that's the end goal at the end of the day. If I play well that means the boys are going good and it all comes together for us.

"I'm always a bit hard on myself and it's always been like that. I should be giving myself a bit more gratitude but I kind of brush what's happened in the past to look forward to the future," Fifita added.

"I focus on the negatives more than the positives. It could be one penalty in the game and I focus more on that even if I'm busting tackles or I get an offload away. It's a learning experience for me I guess. It's just about going into games happier."

While his six penalties in five games remains on par with last year's efforts (19 penalties in 18 games – ninth most competition-wide) Fifita is at the very least mindful of what needs to be done to improve.

"It's just about trying to get away from [the ill-discipline]. Even [coach Shane Flanagan] said if I knock that out of my game then I'll be back in those rep jerseys, so there's a goal that I want to achieve," Fifita said.

"I find myself one of the leaders in this club so I want to be back where I should be. It's just one of those things you strive for and I've been there before, had a taste of it and I want it back now."

Another role Fifita has taken on board is one of a protector to the club's smaller players.

A fresh change of pace from the aggression he's shown previously, Fifita came to the defence of Michael Ennis in particular on a number of occasions against the Wests Tigers over the weekend.

"[Aaron Woods] and Micky were going at it so I had to jump in the middle of it. He's my little man, and he was butting heads with Tim Grant too. It's just those moments where I don't like to see big men all over my little men," Fifita said.

"To be honest I feel good about [being the protector]. I get respect for it and if I can earn Micky Ennis's respect then that's a massive honour."
Click to expand...
http://m.nrl.com/fifita-his-own-harshest-critic/tabid/10874/newsid/94546/default.aspx
 
Capital_Shark

Capital_Shark

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Tatus said:
what a shock. Well deserved to the Englishman. Just can't see the raiders being super consistant for him to keep those number up though
Click to expand...

If injuries are kind the Raiders will play finals this year. What will hurt Hodgson's Dally M count is sharing the points with Austin & Sezer.
 
Tatus

Tatus

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Capital_Shark said:
If injuries are kind the Raiders will play finals this year. What will hurt Hodgson's Dally M count is sharing the points with Austin & Sezer.
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the Ricky factor has most on here wanting them to fail but you can't complain with what he has done there. Luck or not they have a good side that is willing to put their head down and work hard
 
HaroldBishop

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I wouldn't think avergaing one error per game is much given the amount of work he gets through.

On Kent, not sure he hates everything Cronulla, he has tipped us to be premiers this year.

Edit: 2010 got in before me.
 
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