Brad Fittler facts for kids
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Personal information
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| Full name | Bradley Scott Fittler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 5 February 1972 Auburn, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Height | 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 96 kg (212 lb; 15 st 2 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Playing information
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| Position | Five-eighth, Lock, Centre | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Coaching information
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As of 13 October 2024
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Bradley Scott Fittler (born 5 February 1972), known as "Freddy", is an Australian rugby league commentator, TV presenter, and former player.
Fittler was a captain for both New South Wales and Australia. In 2000, he won the Golden Boot award. He finished his playing career as the player with the most games for New South Wales in State of Origin. He was also the third-most-capped Australian international player. Fittler led the Kangaroos to win the Rugby League World Cup in 1995 and 2000. He was also part of the winning team in 1992. In 2008, he was named one of the best rugby league players of the first 100 years of the sport in Australia. He is also in the NSWRL Hall of Fame.
After he stopped playing, Fittler became a coach. He coached the Sydney Roosters in the NRL and the New South Wales State of Origin team. He led New South Wales to win three State of Origin series.
Contents
Early Life and Sports Talents
Fittler was born in Auburn, New South Wales, Australia. He grew up with his two siblings, Nathan and Kathleen.
Brad was a talented young athlete in many sports. He played cricket for Southern Districts with Mark Bosnich, who later became a famous soccer player. Fittler also played soccer for Melita Eagles. He played junior rugby league for several clubs in the Parramatta area. These included Sadleir Bulldogs, Dayments, Ashcroft Stallions, and Mt. Pritchard Community Club. Later, he moved to Cambridge Park in the Penrith area. While attending Ashcroft High School, St Dominic's College, and McCarthy Catholic Senior High School, Fittler played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1988 and 1989.
Playing Career Highlights
Starting with Penrith Panthers
Brad Fittler began his top-level rugby league career in 1989. He joined the Penrith Panthers while still in high school.
In the 1990 Grand Final, Fittler played in the centres when Penrith lost to the Canberra Raiders. After that season, he was chosen to play for Australia and went on the 1990 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France. He played in 8 games on the tour and scored 8 tries.
In 1991, Fittler helped the Panthers win their first ever premiership. He played in the centres as Penrith, coached by Phil Gould, won the title. Later that year, he made his test debut for Australia. He played at lock in a series against Papua New Guinea Kumuls and scored two tries in his first game.
During the 1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand, Fittler helped Australia keep The Ashes trophy. At the end of 1992, Fittler was chosen for Australia's World Cup final team against Great Britain at Wembley Stadium. Australia won the Rugby League World Cup with a 10–6 victory.
The 1993 NSWRL season was tough for the Panthers, but Fittler played all three games for NSW in their Origin series win over Queensland. He also played in all three mid-year tests against New Zealand.
Penrith improved in the 1994 NSWRL season. Fittler was chosen to play against France and later for his second Kangaroo Tour. He played in all four tests against Great Britain and France, winning "man of the match" in one game.
By 1995, Fittler was a very well-known rugby league player. He was chosen to captain the NSW Origin team for the 1995 State of Origin series. Despite NSW losing the series, Fittler was then made captain of the Australian team for the 1995 Trans-Tasman Test series against New Zealand. He led the Kangaroos to a 3–0 win over New Zealand.
At the end of the 1995 ARL season, Fittler was the clear choice to captain Australia in the 1995 Rugby League World Cup. He led Australia to win their 8th World Cup title with an 18–8 victory over England.
Success with Sydney Roosters
In 1996, Brad Fittler joined the Sydney City Roosters. He played nine seasons there and led them to win the 2002 NRL Grand Final. Fittler finished his career having played 336 games, making him one of the most experienced players ever.
He won the Rothmans Medal for the best player in the 1997 ARL Premiership.
Fittler was part of the Kangaroo Tours in 1990, 1994, and 2001. He also played in the World Cups in 1992, 1995, and 2000. He captained the Australian team in the 1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament final, where they won 22–20 against New Zealand.
Fittler grew into a great leader. He captained Australia in 20 Test matches, winning 17 of them. He also captained NSW in 14 State of Origin matches, winning 8.
As captain of the Sydney Roosters, he led them to the 2000 NRL Grand Final, their first in 20 years. They won the Premiership in 2002 and reached the grand final again in 2003 and 2004. After winning the 2002 NRL Premiership, the Roosters played in the 2003 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, St Helens R.F.C.. Fittler captained the team and scored a try in Sydney's victory. He retired at the end of 2004.
Two years after retiring from representative games, NSW coach Phil Gould asked Fittler to return for the second and third State of Origin games. Both Fittler and Gould were honored in the last game, where Fittler scored the winning try for NSW.
Fittler is still the youngest NSW State of Origin player ever (18 years, 114 days old). The Brad Fittler Medal is named after him. It is given to the best NSW player after each series win by NSW.
Return for Auckland Nines
In February 2014, at 42 years old, Fittler played in the NRL Auckland Nines for a special one-off appearance. He played for the Sydney Roosters. In one game, he scored a 75-meter intercept try, his first try in 10 years!
Coaching Career
On 9 July 2007, Roosters coach Chris Anderson left the club. Fittler took over as coach for the rest of the 2007 season. The Roosters were struggling, but with Fittler as coach, they started winning games. His first match was against his former mentor, Ricky Stuart, and the Roosters won.
On 27 July 2007, Fittler's coaching career took a big step forward. The Roosters beat the Melbourne Storm, who were leading the competition. Former Roosters coach Phil Gould praised Fittler's coaching.
After this success, the Sydney Roosters signed Brad Fittler as their full-time Head Coach until the 2010 season.
In 2009, after a difficult season for the Roosters, it was announced that Brad Fittler would not be part of the coaching staff in 2010. The Roosters finished last in the competition that year. He was replaced by Brian Smith.
On 24 November 2017, Fittler was announced as the new coach of the New South Wales rugby league team, replacing Laurie Daley. He made big changes to the team for Game 1 in 2018, with 11 new players making their debut. He led the team to win their first series since 2014. The next year, the Blues won again, marking consecutive series wins for the first time since 2004–05.
On 24 June 2020, Fittler's contract as New South Wales coach was extended until the 2021 State of Origin series.
In the 2020 State of Origin series, Fittler coached a strong New South Wales team, but they lost 2–1 to Queensland. In the 2021 State of Origin series, New South Wales bounced back under Fittler to win the series 2-1. They won the first game 50-6 and the second game 26-0.
Under Fittler, New South Wales lost the 2022 State of Origin series after the third game went to a decider in Brisbane, which New South Wales lost 22-12.
Before the 2023 State of Origin series, Fittler faced criticism for his team choices. New South Wales lost the first two games, giving Queensland the series victory. NSW did win the final game 24-10.
On 28 September 2023, Fittler stepped down from his role as New South Wales head coach.
| Brad Fittler – NRL Coaching Results by Season | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NRL Team | Year | Games | Wins | Losses | Draws | Win % |
| Sydney Roosters | 2007 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 63% |
| 2008 | 26 | 15 | 11 | 0 | 58% | |
| 2009 | 24 | 5 | 19 | 0 | 21% | |
| Career | 58 | 25 | 32 | 1 | 43% | |
Media and Other Achievements
Fittler started his media career by co-hosting NRL Deluxe, an online video show. In 2005, he released his book, Freddy: The Brad Fittler Story.
In 2010, Fittler joined the Nine Network. He was a co-host on The NRL Footy Show in 2010 and 2011. Since 2010, he has also co-hosted The Sunday Footy Show program. In 2016, he was part of The NRL Rookie.
In 2000, Fittler received the Australian Sports Medal for his contributions to rugby league in Australia.
In February 2008, Fittler was named in the list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players to celebrate 100 years of rugby league in Australia.
Fittler has a long-time partner, Marie Liarris, and they have two children.
In 2022, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
In March 2025, he was appointed as one of the Touch Football Australia Board Members.
