Fifita's playing future remains in limbo while the NRL integrity unit decides whether to impose further sanctions over his association with one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge. Fifita was widely considered the most dominant player in the decider against Melbourne, but man-of-the-match honours instead went to teammate Luke Lewis. The NSW prop was then overlooked for the Australian squad for the Four Nations tour of Europe.

There have been suggestions that the twin snubbings prompted Fifita to seek a release from his Sharks contract to switch to rugby union. However, they have been strongly refuted by his management firm, I.Am Global.

In a statement provided to Fairfax Media, Fifita's minders have stressed Fifita has every intention of fulfilling his Cronulla commitments should he be allowed to remain in the game.

"He has never wanted to leave rugby league or Cronulla," said the statement from Fifita's management. "It was only that it appeared his contract would be ripped up that he had to consider plan B. It had nothing to do with the Clive Churchill medal or his omission from the Kangaroos squad.

"If he had won the Clive Churchill medal, he would have given it to Michael Ennis, Michael has been his biggest inspiration. He is fully supportive of Luke Lewis winning the medal, he won it on his own merits and he is very happy for him. In his eyes, the best man on the day got it."

Fifita's agency claims, save for head of football Brian Canavan, that NRL officials would not grant their requests for a meeting. The NRL is awaiting further information from police before deciding whether further sanctions are warranted.

"They have thrown him under a bus, put it in reverse and then gone over him again," the statement said. "Leading into the grand final, Andrew was not in a good head space. He was told his contract could be ripped up, was panicking and went into a bit of depression. It didn't show [on the field] because he played so well but he was emotionally wrecked up until the grand final.

"It is about his welfare … all he wants is to get closure. We have had to consider other things but only in case he loses his registration. If that doesn't happen, he isn't going anywhere. He likes the coach, the club and his teammates."

A rugby league official suggested Fifita take a rugby union sabbatical while his career remained in limbo. However, the former Tiger would only consider the 15-man code if he was unable to play in the NRL.

Fifita's management has been disappointed by comments made by ARLC chairman John Grant calling for the front rower to "start behaving like an adult".

"The officials wouldn't even make time to see him after we had attempted to meet, but then he is told to grow up," the statement said. "We want the issue resolved because it has caused Andrew serious mental health issues and we need to know where he stands."

The statement also clarified the reasons behind Fifita's decision to visit Loveridge while he was in jail.

"[Loveridge's] parents rang Andrew because Andrew knew him, their son was in jail, was depressed and thinking about committing suicide himself," the statement said. "Andrew went and visited him with another person on the request of his family. Now he has a wife and family at home wondering each day when a decision will happen on his future."

Mention was made of the support from the Sharks, particularly coach Shane Flanagan.

"He was in an emotional state in the four weeks leading up to the grand final," the statement said. "The state he was in – he was having meltdowns before the games – he shouldn't have been there, let alone played so well."