Andrew Fifita returned to his old hunting ground today with a special guest.
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The Cronulla Shark made sure his former school, Griffith High, was one of his first stops with the NRL premiership trophy to say thanks to a place that helped him be the player he is today.
“I think it was a must [to bring the trophy to Griffith High],” Fifita said.
“They gave me my opportunity. It was somewhere to go everyday and pretty much gave me a second chance back at life.”
The former Waratah Tiger happily posed for photos and signed anything the children threw at him but his message was the most important thing to take away from the visit.
It was a simple one – dream big and you never know what can happen.
“Anyone can make a difference at this school, we had people [sporting stars] come through when I was in high school and you sort of sat there thinking 'one day, maybe',” Fifita said.
“If I could get through to one of them, from 7-12, and if one of them can do something and bring it back to Griffith High where it all started for him or her, that’d be huge.”
Along with Griffith High School, Fifita will visit other schools in Griffith and Leeton as well as making stops to see die-hard fans around the region.
As far as the premiership-winning prop’s future is concerned, he said Cronulla fans needn’t worry about where his heart lies.
“I’m with the Sharks,” Fifita said.
“I think the main thing playing on my mind is what the NRL is going to bring.
“Are they going to come down harshly or not?
“I’ve been given the all clear with the police, that’s kind of a good feeling but it’s just up to them [NRL] now.
“I don’t know where my fate lies, I could be out of the game, I could be in the game, I’m just stressing on that.
“If it comes down to it, I’m at the Sharks.”
Following the whirlwind visit, Fifita will turn his focus to the World Club Challenge against Wigan in February.
