Brain fade gifts – Michmutters
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The pain behind Andrew Fifita’s emotional celebration

Sharks veteran Andrew Fifita couldn’t hear the home crowd chanting his name on Saturday night when he crashed over for a try that was eerily similar to the one he scored in the 2016 grand final.

And while he would have loved to have heard the support from the Cronulla faithful, the only support he’s really cared about over the past 12 months has been from his partner who has been there for him after the scariest moment of their lives.

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The Sharks should finish in the top four thanks to Andrew Fifita's try.  Picture: Matt King/Getty Images
The Sharks should finish in the top four thanks to Andrew Fifita’s try. Picture: Matt King/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Fifita suffered a shocking throat injury and spent several days in an induced coma last season, but before he got to the hospital, he messaged his wife telling her that he didn’t think he’d survive.

“That’s why I was a lot more emotional when I went over,” he said of his special celebration.

“It’s been a long time, especially for my missus. What she went through, especially in this round, that’s why it felt way more emotional. I think the excitement got the better of me and I started pointing at her saying, ‘See, you don’t believe me’.

“It did get the better of me.

“It’s Women in League round so I wanted to do this for her, but she didn’t believe me. I told her I was going to go over – I had a feeling – and it came true.”

Saturday’s try was the first time Fifita had scored in the NRL since 2020, and it brought back memories of his legendary four-pointer against the Storm in the 2016 decider.

Andrew Fifita scored the most famous try in Sharks history. Picture: Phil HillyardSource: Supplied

That one was in the 68th minute, while this one was a few seconds earlier, and it could prove telling for Cronulla’s top-four hopes.

But can you compare them?

“Por favor. That was the best try in the club’s history so it won’t go near it. I’m just grateful to get over the paint,” he said.

It’s been a long road back for Fifita, who doesn’t play the big minutes he used to.

But if he can chime in with big plays in clutch moments, then he looms as a wildcard for their premiership push.

“That was vintage Andrew,” skipper Wade Graham said.

“He’s worked hard and he’s a great character to have around the place with how much care he has for the team and the club.

“When he has energy, the team has energy – not just the team – but the club as well. You heard the crowd after the try chanting his name from him. ”

Those chants were so loud that you would’ve been able to hear them through the TV even if you had it on mute, yet there was one person who missed it.

“I honestly didn’t hear it,” Fifita said.

Cronulla Sharks press conference | 08:39

“Everyone was saying it, but I sh*t you not, I was saying to the boys ‘what do you mean Andrew chant’.

“When you’re out there it’s different, so you can’t really hear the crowd. You hear them roaring, but I didn’t hear it, and that’s what everyone was saying. I came in here and Dale (Finucane) was going ‘Andrew’.

“I’m grateful. At least I’ve left my touch on here, so I’m all good.”

The try caps a difficult couple of years for Fifita, who spent time in reserve grade playing with the Jets but will now need to step up with Royce Hunt likely to miss a few weeks with a shoulder injury.

“I wanted to play, and I’m forever grateful for Newtown because they brought the love of footy back in for me,” he said.

“Playing big minutes and having some fun on the ball, it was just one of those times.

“Did I think I’d get back? I knew I’d get back to the NRL – that was always there – but the thing for me was about getting back after the accident.”

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Sports

Manly pride jersey saga, players angry, text messages, emergency meeting, LGBTQIA jersey, news, highlights, Roosters clash, finals race

Fuming Sea Eagles players reportedly sent angry text messages to each other after the decision of seven teammates to stand down from the club’s crucial Roosters clash.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the players demanded to know why the seven players in question put the Sea Eagles’ final hopes in danger over the pride jersey saga.

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With their season in danger of imploding, the Manly playing group then organized an emergency meeting on Sunday hoping to smooth things over and mend relationships ahead of the last five rounds of the regular season.

Reports suggest the squad relieved tensions prior to the group’s return to training.

The emergency meeting was reportedly sparked by a breakfast between Josh Aloiai, one of the players who boycotted the match, Jake Trbojevic, Lachlan Croker and another team member.

Aloiai alongside Tolutau Koula, Haumole Olakau’atu, Jason Saab, Josh Schuster, Toafofoa Sipley and Christian Tuipulotu refused to play on religious grounds, angering teammates.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield provided details on the crisis meeting on Big Sports Breakfast.

“The club brought in a professional mediator to get the group of players to get together to try and get a sympathetic understanding from both sides,” Rothfield said.

“I don’t think they’re ever going to agree on the fact that the players did the right thing by withdrawing from the match last week but what they want is for the players who did play to get a better understanding of what and why they did it.

“That’s why everything was put on the table yesterday and there were discussions.

“I was told late last week the risk amongst the players in the team was basically it was not reversible it was quite deep and the boys who did play and played very bravely against the Roosters could not comprehend why their teammates took such drastic actions.

“I think after they got together yesterday there is an understanding, I still think there’s a very long way to go before it is completely sorted out to a satisfactory position where they’re prepared to like all NRL clubs to have full time camaraderie and strengths and spirit.

“I think you can call it an uneasy trick between the players.”

Wingers star in Bulldogs victory | 02:52

It comes amid fears within the playing group that the pride jersey saga could continue next season after players denied they would be willing to don the kit in 2023.

“I’m certainly aware the playing group is getting together,” Manly chairman Scott Penn said on Big Sports Breakfast last week.

“It’s really important everyone gets together and just talks it through. There needs to be a ‘clear-the-air’ session which is perfectly normal in these circumstances.”

“There’s not a deep divide which has been reported but I think there is some frustration in terms of the way all this played out.

“I met with six of the seven – Josh (Aloiai) was injured and wasn’t training but I spoke to him a little bit later. They are very determined and they were put in a difficult position but there are absolutely no hard feelings at all. As I discussed with them at the time, their focus now is on Parramatta.

Brain fade gives Niche a golden moment | 00:51

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“The seven were very clear in their view and religious beliefs and we totally respected that. They have copped it from certain circles and that is unfortunate because we didn’t ever want to put them in that position.

“We will see a very cohesive team for the next five weeks. It was an emotional week and the circumstances put everyone in a difficult position.”

Reports suggest the meeting was not to try and change views, but to clear the air and find a common group as to why the group stood down.

As it stands, the Sea Eagles sit in 10th place, one win behind the Roosters and Raiders.

Des Hasler’s side will face the Eels, Titans, Sharks, Raiders and Bulldogs to close out the season, and every game is a must-win encounter.

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Sports

casualty ward, injuries, Jackson Hastings, Tigers, Nick Meaney, Storm, Lindsay Collins, HIA, head knock, Roosters, Luke Brooks, Wests Tigers, Jaome Luai, Penrith Panthers, return dates

The Tigers will be without Jackson Hastings for the rest of the season after he suffered an ugly leg break against the Broncos.

Hastings had his leg caught under him in an ugly tackle that saw Broncos forward Patrick Carrigan placed on report for a hip drop tackle.

Scans confirmed a broken leg for Hastings who will undergo surgery that rules him out for an extended period.

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Meanwhile, the Eels have copped a massive blow in their hunt for the top four with star halfback Mitchell Moses reportedly suffering a broken finger.

Brent Read told Triple M that Moses will be ruled out for at least a month after suffering in the injury in last night’s win over the Panthers. Moses appeared to injure his finger at him in the 31st minute, and had it strapped by a physio shortly afterwards, but managed to finish the match.

Moses will reportedly undergo surgery and could miss the remainder of the regular season.

COWBOYS LOSE FLYER TO HAMSTRING INJURY

The Cowboys will be sweating on a hamstring injury to winger Kyle Feldt after he limped off in their 34-8 win over the Dragons.

STORM FULLBACK CRISIS WORSENS

Meanwhile, the Storm’s outside back injury crisis has worsened with replacement fullback Nick Meaney going off against the Warriors with a shoulder injury.

Meaney fell on the point of his shoulder from a great height after he was taken out in the air by Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

“He fell awkwardly and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has quite a significant AC joint injury the way that shoulder came down right on the point,” Warren Smith said on Fox League.

“Melbourne in all sorts of problems here. They were chasing Reece Walsh to be a fullback.

“Tyran Wishart will come on and play fullback now after they already lost Ryan Papenhuyzen for the season.”

Nick Meaney suffered a shoulder injury.Source: FOX SPORTS

Coach Craig Bellamy was hopeful after the game that it wasn’t a serious injury and revealed there are some positive signs.

“He’s done something to his right shoulder but I don’t think we’re quite sure of what he’s done,” he said.

“It looked pretty dire when he came off, he obviously had the sling on. But it’s looking a bit better at the moment, they don’t think it’s quite as bad as what they thought it was at the start.”

In the same game, Warriors five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita succumbed to a leg injury in the first half and left the field.

“We’re thinking it’s an MCL… he’ll have scans to see the extent of the injury. But our medical officer said it’s an MCL injury,” interim coach Stacey Jones said after the game.

Brain fade gives Niche a golden moment | 00:51

ROOSTERS STAR SUFFERS UGLY CONCUSSION

Roosters prop Lindsay Collins has suffered a nasty head knock, colliding with the head of Morgan Boyle.

Collins bounced out of the tackle, knocking himself unconscious before leaving the field with the assistance of the club doctor and trainer.

The 26-year-old was one of three players who left the field in the first four minutes of the Origin decider and was playing his first game since the blow, spending two weeks sidelined due to ongoing concussion symptoms.

“I fear for Lindsay here, he went straight down… he has copped both head and shoulder, that is incredibly heavy on Lindsay Collins,” Andrew Voss said.

“You could see the contact,” Greg Alexander said.

“That is worrying for a player that is only returning this round because of concussion.”

Fox League’s James Hooper confirmed Collins would not return to the field in Round 20.

“Category 1 concussion, his night is over,” Fox League’s James Hooper said.

PANTHERS’ INJURY UPDATE

The Panthers have copped a significant blow with star five-eighth Jarome Luai expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

The club confirmed the timeline on Thursday and revealed that Luai had suffered a high grade MCL injury.

Penrith also revealed that Mitch Kenny (knee) and Stephen Crichton (ear/concussion) could return next week.

“I can do it all!” Foxx delivers try | 00:39

TIGERS’ BIG BLOW

Luke Brooks will miss Round 20 and likely the rest of the season after suffering a calf injury at training.

The Wests Tigers confirmed on Thursday that Brooks will be out for five to six weeks with Jock Madden the man expected to replace him in the halves.

The Tigers also revealed Luke Garner is a good chance of returning from a neck injury in Round 21, Stefano Utoikamanu has commended a running program after undergoing wrist surgery and Tommy Talau will return to full team training over the next month.

Read on for the full NRL casualty ward.

ROUND 20 INJURIES

Lindsay Collins (head knock) – TBC

Nick Meaney (shoulder) – TBC

Chanel Harris-Tavita (knee) – TBC

Mitchell Moses (finger) – Finals

Adam Elliott (hip) – TBC

Jackson Hastings (leg) – season

Kyle Feldt (hamstring) – TBC

FULL CASUALTY WARD

BRONCOS

Selwyn Cobbo (concussion) – Round 21

Albert Kelly (foot) – Round 21

TC Robati (arm) – Round 21

Te Maire Martin (ribs) – indefinite

Herbie Farnworth (biceps) – indefinite

Jordan Pereira (illness) – indefinite

raiders

Adam Elliott (hip) – TBC

James Schiller (ankle) – Round 21

Jordan Rapana (suspended) – Round 21

Semi Valemei (knee) – Round 21

Harry Rushton (jaw) – Round 25

Trey Mooney (ankle) – indefinite

Jarrod Croker (shoulder) – season

Josh Hodgson (knee) – season

Harley Smith-Shields (knee) – season

BULLDOGS

Paul Alamoti (cheekbone) – Round 21

Corey Allan (groin) – Round 22

Ava Seumanufagai (calf) – Round 22

Corey Waddell (suspension) – Round 25

Luke Thompson (concussion) – indefinite

Jack Hetherington (shoulder) – season

Billy Tsikrikas (knee) – season

Raymond Faitala-Mariner (ribs) – Round 21

Braith perplexed by Finucane ban | 05:15

SHARKS

Dale Finucane (suspension) – Round 22

Royce Hunt (shoulder) – indefinite

Jack Williams (shoulder) – season

Sione Katoa (pectoral) – season

TITANS

Joe Vuna (knee) – indefinite

Shallin Fuller (leg) – season

BE EAGLES

Sean Keppie (shoulder) – Round 21

Ben Trbojevic (head knock) – TBC

Tom Trbojevic (shoulder) – finals/World Cup

Karl Lawton (knee) – season

Morgan Boyle (ankle) – indefinite

STORM

Nick Meaney (shoulder) – TBC

Jack Howarth (shoulder) – Round 21

Will Warbrick (quad) – Round 21

Tepai Moeroa (shoulder) – Round 21

Brandon Smith (suspended) – Round 21

Xavier Coates (ankle) – Round 22

Trent Loiero (back) – indefinite

Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee) – season

Reimis Smith (pectoral) – season

Christian Welch (Achilles) – season

George Jennings (knee) – season

KNIGHTS

Kalyn Ponga (concussion) – indefinite

Kurt Mann (quad) – Round 21

Bradman Best (thumb) – Round 22

Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) – indefinite

Chris Vea’ila (leg) – indefinite

Bailey Hodgson (elbow) – season

Dylan Lucas (pectoral) – season

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Wingers star in Bulldogs victory | 02:52

COWBOYS

Kyle Feldt (hamstring) – TBC

Jordan McLean (hamstring) – Round 24

Mitch Dunn (knee) – season

Heilum Luki (knee) – season

EELS

Haze Dunster (knee) – season

Ray Stone (knee) – season

Mitch Moses (finger) – Finals

PANTHERS

Eddie Blacker (hamstring) – Round 21

Mitch Kenny (knee) – Round 21-22

Stephen Crichton (ear/concussion) – Round 21

Kurt Falls (leg) – Round 21

Mavrik Geyer (thumb) – Round 21

Jarome Luai (knee) – Round 25-finals

Nathan Cleary (suspension) – Finals

‘Personally it wouldn’t be an issue’ | 01:59

RABBITOHS

Peter Mamouzelos (wrist) – Round 24

Hame Sele (hamstring) – Round 25

Michael Chee Kam (thumb) – Round 25

Campbell Graham (cheekbone) – indefinite

Liam Knight (knee) – season

Jacob Host (shoulder) – season

Jed Cartwright (hamstring) – TBC

Taane Milne (hand) – Round 21

dragons

Cody Ramsey (knee) – Round 22

Jayden Sullivan (shoulder) – Round 23

Mikaele Ravalawa (hamstring) – Finals

Moses Suli (ankle) – Finals

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ROOSTERS

Siosiua Taukeiaho (cheekbone) – Round 21

Lindsay Collins (concussion) – TBC

Billy Smith (knee) – season

Sitili Tupouniua (knee) – season

Renouf Atoni (knee) – indefinite

WARRIORS

Chanel Harris-Tavita (knee) – TBC

Bayley Sironen (eye socket) – Round 21

Ben Murdoch-Masila (elbow) – Round 24

Aaron Pene (ilness) – Round 21

Jack Murchie (staff) – Round 21

Jesse Arthars (quad) – Round 22

TIGERS

Luke Garner (neck) – Round 21

Tommy Talau (knee) – Round 21

Stefano Utoikamanu (wrist) – Round 24

Luke Brooks (calf) – Round 24

Jackson Hastings (leg) – season

Alex Twal (concussion) – season

Shawn Blore (ACL) – season

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