Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan says Andrew Fifita has evolved into a leader

WHEN Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan talks about Andrew Fifita it resembles the way a proud father would talk about his son and the Sharks mentor was full of praise for his in-form front rower.

Tigers too tough for Cowboys SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — MAY 05: Andrew Fifita of the Sharks is tackled during the round nine NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Parramatta Eels at Southern Cross Group Stadium on May 5, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

WHEN Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan talks about Andrew Fifita it resembles the way a proud father would talk about his son.

From a suspension for punching a junior referee to bungled contract negotiations, Flanagan has been there through every low point Fifita has endured during his seven years at the Shire club.

But he also witnessed his remarkable turnaround. He has watched his evolution into a rampaging front-rower on the field and the way he has matured as a person off it.

“When you look back on it, it’s been a long journey for Andrew, especially here at the club,” he said. “We always knew his football ability. He’s gone through things off the field, personal issues, mental health issues … it’s a great story.”

Flanagan rewarded Fifita for the strides he has made by handing him the captain’s armband in round seven when Luke Lewis left the field early due to injury.

He impressed so much he was given the nod again in round eight when Paul Gallen and Wade Graham were unavailable.

Fifita has been in tremendous form for Cronulla.

The coach says the 28-year old-has taken on the added responsibility on the field with ease.

“He’s done a fantastic job, he’s really cherished and adapted to that leadership role,” he said. “We always knew he had it in him.

“For his family and for his community he is bit of a leader and he come out in that Tonga tour last year and we saw Andrew wanted to lead.

“Leadership is an interesting thing, I don’t know if you’re born a leader or you become a leader but Andrew is definitely becoming a leader and really wants to lead that team and he’s been fantastic on the field.”

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Known for being a hothead at times, Fifita even surprised his teammates with the calm and collected approach he handled the captaincy duties in the heat of battle.

“The feedback that I have had from the trainers and other players in the team, Andrew’s leadership on the field is calm, cool. It’s been a real surprise, a pleasant surprise,” Flanagan said.

Fifita has been in fine form for the Sharks in recent weeks and has averaged around 70 minutes a game despite carrying a knee injury that threatened to end his season in round six.

“He had a real shock earlier in the year against the Dragons when he thought he might have been gone for the season,” Flanagan said.

In the absence of Wade Graham and Paul Gallen, Fifita has stepped up.

“He’s come back from that. He’s still got some bone bruising there. Sometimes it could be all year it could be a couple of weeks [to fully recover]. There’s a little bit of physio and a little bit of rehab you can do for it but it just takes time. He’s not complaining, getting on with the job.”

The Tongan international will have his work cut out for him against a huge Raiders pack on Sunday afternoon. Flanagan will blood young forward Jack Williams in a bid to add some size to his pack rotation. The Cooma product is said to be the strongest player at Cronulla.

Co-captain Paul Gallen will have to get through Saturday’s captain’s run before a final call is made on his fitness.

The Sharks coach also said he doesn’t expect his side to be torn apart by Origin like it has in the past. Those in contention for New South Wales in particular have all been impacted by injury to start the season.

“This year is going to be interesting to see if Origin impacts Cronulla Sharks that much, I’m not thinking it will,” he said.

“Some of the players that are going to be considering for Origin haven’t been playing the last month for us. Wade Graham, Josh Dugan and Valentine Holmes ... they’re probably the three we could miss but two of those are injured at the moment so it will be interesting to see what Freddie [Brad Fittler] comes up with.

“Queensland are probably a bit more predictable with the team they are going to pick but I think we will be OK during Origin”

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