NRL 2020: Andrew Fifita reveals he won’t retire from Cronulla Sharks over knee injury
He may have spent more time off the field than on in recent times but Sharks star Andrew Fifita remains steadfast in his desire to play on and won’t be drawn into talk of a medical retirement.
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Andrew Fifita has declared he will play on in 2021, refusing to consider an early retirement despite calls for him to step down on medical grounds.
The premiership-winning Sharks prop has spoken passionately about why he believes he’s far from a spent force while confirming he will target next year without the need for any off-season knee surgery.
Contracted to the Sharks until the end of 2022 on a deal worth about $800,000, Fifita has been a focal point of discussion for fans and commentators, who claim the 2018 Dally M Prop of The Year should seek medical retirement after playing 12 matches this year, nine of which were from the interchange bench.
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But Fifita has a different view.
“I’m not retiring,” Fifita said. “Mentally and physically, I’ve got no hesitation in saying I’ve much more to give.
“There has been a lot of talk about my knee.
“Well, my knee hasn’t been an issue since I had an arthroscope almost 12 months ago. I missed the All Stars match at the start of this year, not because of my knee, but because the surgery delayed my ability to get my fitness right.
“I then played the first two rounds of the comp this year (against Souths and Melbourne) and ran for over 100 metres. Then we had the COVID break.
“I trained all over the break, I felt as fit as ever. And then when I came back in on the first day on the training field, I tore my calf.
“I came back, played five weeks straight then injured my finger which needed surgery. That cost me six weeks.
“That left me with five rounds remaining and trying to rediscover match fitness — no excuses from me, but any player will tell you, that’s not easy.
“Then our year was over.
“If you actually have a look at each of those last five rounds and the role I was playing for the team from the bench, with less minutes and doing everything I could to bring some impact for the boys, I wouldn‘t say I wasn’t contributing.’’
The introduction of the six-again rule undeniably impacted the competition’s big men in 2020 and their ability to defend around the ruck, including Fifita.
His focus on this area will be a priority during the upcoming pre-season.
However, statistics from the Fox Sports Lab indicate that while Fifita averaged just 34 minutes per game this year, he was able to average a positive 109 metres with the footy with an average of three tackle busts and two offloads.
“It was a frustrating year, I tried everything to rally the boys, show some leadership,” Fifita said. “I felt like my experience was a help to the younger forwards.
“All along my attitude was only ever to be positive about getting better as a player and driving our team deep into the finals.”
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In his 11th season of NRL, Fifita said he spoke with Sharks head coach John Morris on Thursday about their disappointment at how the club exited the premiership race.
“As a club, I don’t think we can be happy with what we achieved this year — we didn’t beat a top eight side,’’ Fifita said.
“I know I’m not happy with watching footy from my lounge room this weekend, I want to be playing. I want to win the competition.
“So we all need to be better, improve as a group and work on all those little areas of our game that left us where we are today.
“This is my 11th year, so for sure, I’ll have to manage my training load more so than the younger guys, but I’ll be keeping my weight in-check.
“I know when the time will come to say goodbye, but that’s not now.’’