Support for one-punch killer
Loveridge, and despite little public sympathy for the convicted criminal, the NSWOrigin forward hasn’t abandoned his childhood friend and insists his gestures were only meant to lift his spirits during his sentence.
‘‘I was helping out a mate,’’ Fifita said. ‘‘That’s all that matters. He wasn’t doing too good at the time. I gave him the boost that he really needs. I know he is doing well.’’
On Friday night, as Fifita continued his impressive season to lead the Sharks to the premiership decider, there was nothing on his wrists but black strapping. And unlike his previous two matches, there was also no abuse from a parochial home crowd at Allianz Stadium.
However, in the final round of the regular season in Melbourne and on the opening week of the finals in the nation’s capital, it was a completely different story for the controversial figure, who was booed and abused by outraged away fans.
‘‘When we went to Melbourne everyone saw how aggressive they were towards me,’’ he said.
‘‘I love that stuff. We got to Canberra and I copped it all game. I ended up getting the last laugh. We have a job to do. It’s going to be a massive atmosphere, especially in Sydney with a Sydney team getting in. We’re just hoping everyone gets behind the Sharks.
‘‘There has been a lot of talk. It never distracted me once.’’