Things have gone from bad to worse to tragic for Cronulla, with the news Andrew Fifita will leave the club at the end of the season.

Bad was when the Sharks became the focal point of the ASADA investigation into rugby league. Worse was when the NRL hammered the club with a $1 million fine and suspended its coach, Shane Flanagan, for 12 months.

The revelation Fifita will join Canterbury next season is a tragedy for the Sharks, not only because he is one of the hottest players in the game, but because it appears we are now seeing the effect the drama surrounding the club will have on its future.

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No-one involved has said as much, but it is only natural to think what has already gone on at Cronulla – and the possibility of more to come, since there is still a chance ASADA will sanction players – had an influence on Fifita’s decision.

Indications are that while Cronulla didn’t quite match the reported figure of $850,000 per season from the Bulldogs, it came close enough that most players would stay with their club rather than go elsewhere.

Who knows what reasons Fifita will give for leaving the Sharks when the reports are confirmed?

But let me ask you this: if you were a star player with your best years ahead, and you had the chance to leave a club in turmoil for one with the potential to do big things, wouldn’t you go? Particularly when your involvement with the first club hasn’t been long-term anyway?

Fifita joined the Sharks in 2012. Wests Tigers no longer wanted him, a decision that club must have regretted a thousand times. Maybe it was also a decision that convinced Fifita to concentrate on looking after number one in the future, something he has every right to do.

Three ex-Cronulla players are suing the club for negligence, their coach is banned and ASADA may not have finished with the club yet. Their captain, Paul Gallen, turns 33 this year. How well are the Sharks going to be able to recruit for next season, given the circumstances?



Who wouldn’t consider leaving if he had a terrific option somewhere else? And what impact will Fifita’s impending departure have on the Sharks this season? Players always say they only worry about the season in front of them, but this news has got to be a real downer.

Fifita is arguably the most improved footballer in the game over the last 12 months. He has risen to become a regular in the New South Wales and Australian teams. He’s big, yet fast. He’s tough, yet skilled. And he’s only 24.

The word is Cronulla’s promising young hooker, Michael Lichaa, is going to the Bulldogs next season as well.

On top of all of this, the Sharks lost 18-12 at home to Gold Coast in their first-round match last night. Gallen was helped off with a serious ankle injury and Fifita was reported for a shoulder charge.

Who is the malevolent bastard writing this script?