- Siosifa Talakai was preparing for 2024 NRL preliminary final
- Talakai’s sister text him to say his cousin had been murdered
- Sharks star, 27, bravely played the game while grief-stricken
Footy star Siosifa Talakai has opened up about how the death of his cousin rocked him just days before one of the biggest games of his career.
In September last year, the Sharks utility was preparing to take on Penrith in a NRL preliminary final.
Victory would see Cronulla into their first Grand Final since 2016 – then a text filtered through from Talakai’s sister.
The news was devastating – Talakai’s cousin Sitaleki Filihiahekava has been stabbed to death in Sydney’s inner-west outside a Mexican restaurant.
‘It’s just a void now. It’s hard to fill,’ the cult hero in the Shire told the Daily Telegraph.
‘He was a man of family and a man of faith. ‘He was always everyone’s big brother.
NRL star Siosifa Talakai has opened up about how the death of his cousin unfolded just days before one of the biggest games of his career
Sitaleki Filihiahekava, 32, was fatally stabbed to death outside the Guzman y Gomez store in Marrickville last September
After being sacked by the Rabbitohs, Talakai was handed a lifeline by the Sharks – he chalked up 100 club appearances on March 15 (pictured)
‘Everyone looked up to him.’
Talakai could have been excused for missing the clash against the Panthers as he was grief-stricken.
The NSW Blues Origin representative admitted it wasn’t his best game, but quitting isn’t part of the club’s DNA.
Police believe the alleged stabbing was a targeted attack and are investigating possible links to organised crime.
Meanwhile, Talakai will be further motivated on Saturday afternoon at Shark Park when he takes on the Rabbitohs, who sacked him in 2018 due to ill-discipline.
The Tongan international even did some work as a garbage collector before he was thrown a lifeline by the Sharks in 2020, where he has since chalked up 100 appearances.
‘This is the club that gave me my second opportunity,’ Talakai said after achieving the milestone against the Cowboys on March 15 in Townsville.
‘I had nothing, no opportunities lined up, and I was ready to walk away from footy.
‘They helped me get to where I am now.’
