Source :- THE AGE NEWS
David Fifita could not hold back the tears as he spoke about finally returning to the NRL finals almost a year to the day since he lost his father, Siaosi.
At an emotional media conference on Tuesday, the South Sydney forward opened up on Siaosi’s death and revealed South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett had become like a “second father”, while detailing the horror run of injuries that left him questioning if he could ever return to his rampaging best.
Fifita has made the right edge his own in his first year at Souths, and for all his excitement about returning to September football for the first time since 2021 on Friday night, when the Rabbitohs host Newcastle at Allianz Stadium, he said he would do so with a heavy heart.
Whenever he has felt flat this year, Fifita said, he would play voice messages or watch videos of his father on his phone to lift his spirits.
“When I came down here [to Souths] in November, my father had passed away – it will be pretty much one year on [Saturday],” Fifita said.
“It was a very emotional time for my family and myself. People don’t really know what I went through to come down here at such a young age and leave all my family in Brisbane.
”I just love my dad, bro. I cherish the moments. I still have all the videos and voice calls on my phone, and I hear them.
“I’ll be doing it for my family in Brisbane and my dad [on Friday]. I know my dad is looking from above, with me every step of the way. He would want me to be playing rugby league to the best of my potential. He loved Wayne, he loved me, and I loved him. It’s just so good to play at such a great club and have the support.”
Fifita, 26, had an unlucky run with injuries last year and underwent several surgeries to repair an ankle problem.
“I really had some dark days, just second-guessing myself, thinking, ‘Do I still have it?’,” he said. “He [Bennett] was very much like a second father. He just gave me a hug, spoke to me about what he can do for me, and what I can do for him.
“[Dad] supported the Broncos because of Wayne. Everyone loved Wayne; Wayne is Brisbane, the heart of Queensland.
“It’s good to be here with Wayne. He’s from Queensland, and I feel that comfort because I’m from Queensland, too. He’s got my back, I’ve got his back.
“I’ve known Wayne since I was 15 or 16. Wayne left the club, I went to the Gold Coast, then six years later I’m back with him. It’s a full-circle moment. I’m very blessed to be back with him. I’m looking forward to repaying the faith.”
Fifita has forged a close bond with several Rabbitohs, including Latrell Mitchell.
“I’ve got nothing but love for Latrell,” Fifita said. “He’s like a big brother; he gets me and I get him.”
