Andrew Fifita to depart Cronulla Sharks at the end of season
Cronulla Sharks have confirmed that Andrew Fifita will depart the club at the end of the current NRL season.
The prop forward has played 246 NRL matches as well as representing both Australia and Tonga on the international scene.
Fifita, 33, has represented New South Wales Origin 10 times and six as a member of the Indigenous All Stars. His final home game at PointsBet Stadium will be this Saturday against the Canterbury Bulldogs.
He joined the club in 2012, making his debut against his former side in the Wests Tigers. He has since racked up 207 Sharks NRL appearances, including the match-winning try in the 2016 Grand Final triumph over Melbourne Storm.
Brother David Fifita, currently off-contract at the end of the Super League season, has made it no secret of his desire to play alongside Andrew.
“I announced to the boys (earlier today) this was going to be my last year at the Sharks,” Fifita said at a media conference today. “It was the right time to tell the boys, going into my last home game of the season. I thought they deserved to know more than anyone else.
“I’ve left on good terms, (but) especially with the good young ones coming through, it’s time to depart.
“I wouldn’t say retirement, I reckon I’ve still got another year in me somewhere else.
“I sat with Gal (Paul Gallen) on the weekend and asked him about it and he said, no matter what, you’re still going to go down as a legend and for me to hear to that from our club legend, was quite emotional for me.
“We also talked about who scored the best try for the Cronulla Sharks and I can say I did,” Fifita laughed.
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