Adam SutcliffeThe Legend of Freddie!
January 19th 2007 11:41
A-Z of Australian Rugby League Greats of the past 25 years
Each week, we will profile an Australian rugby league greats of the past 25 years. The players profiled arent necessarily all representative players, but individuals that have provided their fans with the commitment, dedication and sacrifice for the greater good of their club.
Fittler, Bradley Scott
Date of Birth - 02/02/1972
Position Five-Eight, Lock, Centre
Nickname Freddie
Clubs
Penrith Panthers - 1989-1995, 119 games, 34 tries for 136 points
Sydney Roosters - 1996-2004, 217 games, 91 tries, 12 goals and 2 field goals for 390 points
State of Origin NSW - 1990-2004, 31 games, 8 tries and 2 field goals for 34 points
International Career Australia, 1991-2001, 34 games, 14 tries, one goal and field goal for 59 points
Brad Fittler may well have lost his last ever game of rugby league on that Grand Final night in 2004, but the champion five-eight bowed out satisfied with a brilliant and record breaking playing career, that may well go unrivalled for quite some time.
Fittler was labelled rugby leagues 'Next Big Thing' after an inspiring first grade debut in 1989 while still in high school, but his early career was mixed with great success and heart breaking tragedy. Under the guidance of Coach Phil Gould (a man who influenced and guided 'Freddie' throughout his entire career), Fittler started his playing days as a ball playing centre.After a mammoth 15 seasons in first grade, Fittler finished his career as an inspirational lock forward with the impressive record of competing in the most combined professional rugby league matches in Australian history (409 games).
1991 proved to be Fittler's finest year, winning a premiership with his beloved Penrith Panthers, receiving a recall to the State of Origin arena for the NSW Blues, whlst also making his international debut for Australia against Papua New Guinea.
However, heart break was to follow just a year later, when close teammate Ben Alexander tragically lost his life in a car accident, rocking the close knit Panthers club to the core. Fittler battled on for two more seasons, but found it hard too hard to stay at the grieving club, and he signed onto play with the Sydney City Roosters.
Fittler quickly became one of the Rooster's favourite and most popular sons, carving out a dominant career as a play making five-eight for the Tr-Colours, NSW Blues and Australia. In a glittering representative career, Fittler still holds the record for most games for NSW, and sits equal fourth on the all time number of Test Matches for Australia.
'Freddie' proved an inspiration to his teammates at all levels of the game, often influencing the result of atight game in his favour, by producing a miraclel offload, pin-point accurate kick, or an individual piece of brilliance to win countless games for his team. He was a complete player - hard hitting and tireless defender, creative ball player and majestic kicker who could lay on a try at the most crucial times.
Fittler won two premeierships in his glittering career (Penrith in 1991 and Sydney Roosters in 2002), whilst collecting a multitude of individual awards throughout his 15 year career. In 2006, Fittler was rewarded for his services to the game with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen's Birthday Honour Lists.
Today, Brad Fittler is still heavily involved with the game he loves, employed as an Assistant Coach at the Sydney Roosters, whilst also paving out a media career by working for Channel Nine's Today Show, NRL Footy Show and Bigpond TV.
Cheers,
StephenP
*Photos coutesy of www.bbc.co.uk and www.abc.net.au
Each week, we will profile an Australian rugby league greats of the past 25 years. The players profiled arent necessarily all representative players, but individuals that have provided their fans with the commitment, dedication and sacrifice for the greater good of their club.
Fittler, Bradley Scott
Date of Birth - 02/02/1972
Position Five-Eight, Lock, Centre
Nickname Freddie
Clubs
Penrith Panthers - 1989-1995, 119 games, 34 tries for 136 points
State of Origin NSW - 1990-2004, 31 games, 8 tries and 2 field goals for 34 points
International Career Australia, 1991-2001, 34 games, 14 tries, one goal and field goal for 59 points
Brad Fittler may well have lost his last ever game of rugby league on that Grand Final night in 2004, but the champion five-eight bowed out satisfied with a brilliant and record breaking playing career, that may well go unrivalled for quite some time.
1991 proved to be Fittler's finest year, winning a premiership with his beloved Penrith Panthers, receiving a recall to the State of Origin arena for the NSW Blues, whlst also making his international debut for Australia against Papua New Guinea.
However, heart break was to follow just a year later, when close teammate Ben Alexander tragically lost his life in a car accident, rocking the close knit Panthers club to the core. Fittler battled on for two more seasons, but found it hard too hard to stay at the grieving club, and he signed onto play with the Sydney City Roosters.
'Freddie' proved an inspiration to his teammates at all levels of the game, often influencing the result of atight game in his favour, by producing a miraclel offload, pin-point accurate kick, or an individual piece of brilliance to win countless games for his team. He was a complete player - hard hitting and tireless defender, creative ball player and majestic kicker who could lay on a try at the most crucial times.
Fittler won two premeierships in his glittering career (Penrith in 1991 and Sydney Roosters in 2002), whilst collecting a multitude of individual awards throughout his 15 year career. In 2006, Fittler was rewarded for his services to the game with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen's Birthday Honour Lists.
Today, Brad Fittler is still heavily involved with the game he loves, employed as an Assistant Coach at the Sydney Roosters, whilst also paving out a media career by working for Channel Nine's Today Show, NRL Footy Show and Bigpond TV.
Cheers,
StephenP
*Photos coutesy of www.bbc.co.uk and www.abc.net.au
| 56 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
