Cronulla players believe embattled teammate Andrew Fifita is primed to push the Sharks deep into the finals after a controversial week on and off the field.

Just days after apologising to the club for remonstrating at the coaches box following a crucial try last week, Fifita was again in hot water over comments about a rugby league journalist on a podcast.

“I just don’t know how they (league journalists) are all on TV, and they can talk on football,” Fifita said on The Halfcast podcast.

“Excuse my French, but (he) is a complete f***wit.”

Having previously been called to meet coach Shane Flanagan over his on-field spray, Fifita was on Thursday hauled in front of Sharks CEO Barry Russell to explain his off-field comments.

Sharks teammate Josh Dugan also had a swipe at the same journalist in the podcast, and prop Aaron Woods said the pair probably wouldn’t do the same again.

“They’re just out there to do their best and probably, if they had their time back, they wouldn’t say it now because of all the scrutiny they’re under,” Woods said.

Sharks halfback Chad Townsend said players deserved the right to free speech.

“How they go about that is definitely up to them. But in saying that, they obviously felt a certain way for a certain reason. Why that is I’m not too sure,” Townsend said.

Despite the week’s dramas, Townsend predicted blockbusting prop Fifita, fired up after being benched last weekend, would respond with a big finish to the season as the Sharks eye another title.

“I saw some fire in his eyes on the weekend,” Townsend said.

“This time of the year that’s what you want from your big players. We’re looking forward to him backing up again this weekend and putting in a big performance.

“Andrew seems to do things his way. One thing he’ll always give you, he’ll always back you up, whether it’s the right or wrong thing to do.

“On the weekend his performances spoke for himself.

“He scored an amazing try and that’s what he’s here to do, play good football and we’re going to back him up as best we can.”