Cronulla Sharks deserve better than Andrew Fifita lack of remorse for supporting a convicted killer
PAUL KENT: Why, in grand final week, would Andrew Fifita decide to reveal he has no regrets about supporting convicted killer Kieran Loveridge? Live blog at 1pm.
Opinion
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EVERY years the grand final throws up its own narrative and, almost every time, it is enough to save a season’s worth of troubles.
Last year it was Johnathan Thurston legitimising his claims to be an Immortal by guiding the Cowboys to their maiden premiership, which was a story in itself.
The year before it was South Sydney’s first premiership in 43 years, and Russell and Sam and his broken cheekbone.
Before that it was the Sydney Roosters, a coach on debut, and the Return of the King, Sonny Bill Williams.
This year it might be ... Andrew Fifita. The Grinch who stole October.
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Apparently it is not enough for this guy, in grand final week, to make the smart play.
Instead he comes out after Cronulla qualify for the grand final and undoes a month’s good work by the club and the NRL to distance itself from the controversy surrounding his support for convicted killer Kieran Loveridge.
He has put the investigation into him back on the agenda.
The Integrity Unit spoke to Fifita September 5 — more than three weeks ago — and went away to verify his explanation of his friendship with convicted killer Kieran Loveridge with NSW police and Corrective Services.
The NRL said it would take as long as it takes. The league promised it would not be dictated by Cronulla’s run through the finals and would not delay any decision for such reasons.
How long does it take to interview them and crosscheck? Long enough to let Cronulla get through the season?
Several days after the Integrity Unit heard Fifita’s version NRL boss Todd Greenberg went on The Footy Show. He was asked tough questions and handled them with the political savvy to which we are accustomed to seeing.
“I’ll tell you what I think,” Greenberg said. “I think people need to take some accountability themselves and I think it goes back to everyone in the game.”
Well said.
Several days later, Fifita’s chief executive Lyall Gorman said on Triple M it was “a gross error of judgment by Andrew ...”
Greenberg’s comments from three days earlier were put to Gorman.
“There’d be no one that shares Todd’s sentiments more than me but the regs (regulations) don’t allow for that,” Gorman said.
“At the end of the day the NRL has got to agree with the sanctions. In fact they’re the ones who put them forward to the club to consider.”
So on Thursday the NRL said it was up to the clubs. On the Sunday Cronulla said it was up to the NRL.
It is a convenient scenario. When two people are accountable, the actual truth is neither is accountable. Anybody wanting to gamble the NRL would come to a decision before Cronulla’s finals run ended would have got long odds.
And in many ways that is understandable. It certainly is not the first time the game has managed to an outcome. Indeed, it was the way things used to get done.
But part of the silent contract was both sides had to play their part.
Then Fifita broke the deal, saying he doesn’t actually regret doing it at all.
In grand final week.
Cronulla’s concern is Fifita already has form.
Part of the reason Mitchell Pearce received a much sterner penalty than Corey Norman this season was because he had form.
The NRL is tiring of repeat offenders. Pearce was fined an extra $105,000 and two more games than Norman, despite Norman registering more offences, including pleading guilty to criminal offences.
Meantime, Fifita was left to himself and required to do nothing more than play good football and shut up. The crowd booed him heavily in Melbourne the week after the “FKL” scandal came out. He smiled and got on with it.
They booed him again in Canberra next time around. He smiled and gave a little back. Both were a clear indication of public sentiment.
Friday was a friendlier reception when Cronulla played North Queensland, in Sydney and with 90 per cent of the crowd Sharks fans prepared to turn a blind eye if they deliver their first grand final after 50 seasons.
And they are a big chance.
And then Fifita came out and says he has no regrets.
What is particularly offensive is Fifita’s explanation for why.
“I was helping out a mate,” he said.
“That’s all that matters. He wasn’t doing too good at the time. I gave him the boost that he really needs. I know he is doing well.”
That’s all that matters ...?
There are 40 good reasons why there are more important matters than Fifita supposes. One of them was the reason Gorman offered for not expediting a decision, which was concern for the family of Loveridge’s victim, Thomas Kelly.
Coach Shane Flanagan must be shaking his head.
Senior players like Paul Gallen and Mick Ennis, yet to win a premiership, must look at Fifita opening the door to invite trouble and wonder what goes through his brain.
This is the last chance for Ennis. It is best chance for Gallen.
The Sharks don’t deserve their week hijacked by the numb thoughts of a frontrower.
Originally published as Cronulla Sharks deserve better than Andrew Fifita lack of remorse for supporting a convicted killer
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