NRL 2022: Ronaldo Mulitalo lifts lid on how new coach Craig Fitzgibbon got everybody smiling in Cronulla

Life has changed dramatically at the Cronulla Sharks under rookie NRL coach Craig Fitzgibbon as he focuses the club’s culture.

Smiles all around: Craig Fitzgibbon has put his stamp on the Sharks early. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Handshakes and smiles.

That’s the secret to Ronaldo Mulitalo feeling the happiest he’s felt as a professional footballer.

The Sharks winger has offered an intriguing insight into life under rookie NRL coach Craig Fitzgibbon and the culture the first-time Cronulla mentor is eager to instill across the entire club.

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“I haven’t been this happy to come into training every day in a long time,’’ Mulitalo said. “I love smiling and everyone is smiling.

Smiles all around: Craig Fitzgibbon has put his stamp on the Sharks early. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“Fitzy just wants you to be a good man before you’re a good football player. He wants you to be a better person than you are a footy player, and then everything will look after itself.

“My No.1 thing Fitzy has brought in is to confront people and shake people’s hands and say ‘good morning’, no matter who it is.

“I think that’s awesome.

“That little thing that nobody thinks about and is sometimes too shy or awkward about, is important. To be able to start a day right and shake someone’s hand is important in growing up as a person.’’

Ronaldo Mulitalo has spoken about life under Craig Fitzgibbon. Picture: NRL Photos

In order to mature as a footballer, the winner of the 2021 Ken Stephen Medal for his charity and community work said he was also working with a mind coach.

“I’m trying to work on my mental strength,’’ Mulitalo said. “I just want to really go forward and explore that. Fitzy has pushed me even more to do that.

“He said from day one he’s not going to take anything away from my game, he wants me to be who I am.’’

Ronaldo Mulitalo of the Sharks. Picture: NRL Photos

Mulitalo’s season was brought to a painful end in 2021 when he suffered a fractured jaw in round 23.

In the most tumultuous year of his flourishing career, he was farcically withdrawn from the Queensland State of Origin team just hours before kick-off of Origin II due to an eligibility drama.

The 22-year-old lost eight kilograms as a result of the broken jaw, but he has resumed full training and is visibly keen about the new season.

“The jaw is good,’’ Mulitalo said. “I’m back healthy and ready to rip in.

“I think the clarity across the club also helps. Our CEO Dino (Mezzatesta) and all the board have done an awesome job in being honest with us as a playing group.

“We know Fitzy is our coach and this is his staff going forward, and that’s why I love what’s going on now.’’

Originally published as NRL 2022: Ronaldo Mulitalo lifts lid on how new coach Craig Fitzgibbon got everybody smiling in Cronulla