Blues forward Andrew Fifita re-signs with premiers until end of 2022

ANDREW Fifita has made a “calculated sacrifice’’ worth almost $800,000 for the chance to build a lasting legacy with the club that has stood by him.

Andrew Fifita has re-signed with the Sharks.

ANDREW Fifita has made a “calculated sacrifice’’ worth almost $800,000 for the chance to build a lasting legacy with the club that has stood by him.

In the best form of his career, Fifita stunningly ignored the chance to test his appeal on the open market by extending his current contract by four years, taking him to the end of 2022.

Rated the leading prop in the NRL in the wake of his destructive premiership-winning try and return to the Test and State of Origin arena with NSW this year, Fifita had the potential to attract offers from rival clubs of close to $1 million a season.

However, The Saturday Telegraph understands Fifita chose to repay the faith that the Sharks have shown through his at-times turbulent career by signing a new four-year deal worth between $170,000 and $200,000 less than the lure of a $1 million price-tag.

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Adding a further layer of surprise to Fifita’s decision to secure his future was that he wasn’t due to come off-contract until the end of 2018.

However, having declared he was committed to the club until 2022, Fifita will have served 11 seasons with the Sharks after originally joining the club in 2012.

Unwanted by the Wests Tigers, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan signed the “freak of an athlete” alongside a collection of other Tigers including Chris Heighington, Beau Ryan and Bryce Gibbs.

Fifita told his agent Ben Johnston his desire to remain at Cronulla was multifaceted, including repaying the faith of Flanagan and respected welfare officer Shane Smith, but also to finish at the Sharks as one of the club’s greatest-ever players.

Further, Flanagan said Fifita was proof that rugby league can lay claim to being responsible for changing lives.

“Yes, Andrew is an exceptional athlete — but he’s had his challenges and he’s learned. He’s continuing to learn,’’ Flanagan said.

“We can be quick to find ways on what the game has done for us.

Andrew Fifita has re-signed with the Sharks.

“But in this case, it’s what rugby league has done for Andrew.

“We’ve had some tough times, he knows that.

“But it’s about helping and supporting and hoping they come through the other side.

“Andrew is with Cronulla for the next five years, but imagine what that next five years means to Andrew and his young family, if he continues to learn and improve.

“The impact isn’t just to a football team, it’s much bigger. I’m very happy for him as a person.’’

Fifita said he was “excited’ to seal the deal without fanfare or speculation about his future.

“I’m pretty wrapped,’’ Fifita said.

“Everything is going really well at the moment, especially with club footy.

“Everything is positive on and off the field around the club and enjoy everything at the club, it’s culture, it’s youth and some of the older heads in the team have really helped me along my journey.

“That will help me, help our youth coming through at the club.

“I want to be around with in the future and show that leadership around the club.

“It’s been a massive month, I’m at the Sharks for the next five years and I can’t wait to play Manly on Sunday.’’