Cronulla's decision to reprimand star prop Andrew Fifita for his expletive rant on a podcast is a reminder for all players to be careful with their words, NRL boss Todd Greenberg says.
Fifita was on Thursday handed a warning letter for his expletive-laden attack on a rugby league journalist during The Halfcast podcast this week.
"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."
It is the second time in a week Fifita has landed in hot water with club officials, having apologised for gesticulating at the coach's box following a crucial try last week.
Greenberg praised the Sharks for acting quickly over Fifita's latest behavioural issue.
"The Sharks jumped on that early and spoke to the player directly and they've handled it as I would've expected them to do," Greenberg said on Thursday.
He reminded players that they are responsible for all comments they make in public.
"In the modern age, any comment that a rugby league player makes, he has to take full account for and I'm sure that's what's been spoken about this morning (with the club)," Greenberg said.
Sharks teammate Josh Dugan also took 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.
But he predicted the week's criticism would only serve to fire up the former Kangaroos prop as the Sharks eye another premiership.
"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."
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