When Mark Palmer looked at a teenage Andrew Fifita, he saw a kid with plenty of rugby league talent, but one who didn't always use it.
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“He (Fifita) was always a step ahead most players his age,” Palmer said.
“He was a big kid as well. When he decided to do something, he was able to achieve the goal he set himself.
“But he had his lazy times as well from what I remember.
“Sometimes he was a little hard to motivate. But when he had his mind set to it, he’d basically achieve anything he wanted to.”
Fifita will line up for NSW in Wednesday night’s State of Origin opener against Queensland in Sydney and is set to play an important role for the Blues off the bench.
The Cronulla prop spent some of his formative football years in Group 20 playing for Griffith Waratah Tigers and maintains a strong relationship with the club.
Palmer was the Tigers’ first grade coach when Fifita broke into the senior ranks as an under 18s player in 2008.
While many at Waratahs thought Fifita was physically ready for the rigours of first grade, Palmer remembers the player in question being a little reluctant.
“I actually chased him a bit,” Palmer said of Fifita.
“It was my first year coaching, and he was always in the club’s plans for the first grade team, but we had to chase him a bit to get him to play.”
Talent was never a problem for Fifita, but like many young players, a work ethic had to be developed to complement the ability.
Since making his NRL debut at the Wests Tigers in 2010, Fifita has represented NSW and Australia, and in 2013 was named Dally M Prop of the Year.
It’s easy to say the signs were there in Griffith that Fifita was destined for rugby league’s biggest arenas, but Palmer doesn’t believe it’s that simple.
Asked if he always thought Fifita would reach the playing heights he had, Palmer was circumspect.
“It’s a hard question when they’re kids,” Palmer said.
“There are so many bridges they have to cross to get there.
“In some ways you’d be surprised anyone gets there.
“But he (Fifita) obviously had the talent equal to anyone going around his age group.
“If he had a goal he achieved it, and he was able to do that at a high level.
“The proof’s in the pudding. Some of the games he’s had in the NRL are top class.”