Brad Fittler
Five-eighth, Lock, Centre
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2008
- Date of Birth:
- 05 February 1972
- Birthplace:
- Auburn, NSW
- Nickname:
- Freddy
- Debut Team:
- Penrith Panthers
- Date:
- 20 August 1989
- Opposition:
- Western Suburbs Magpies
- Venue:
- Orana Park, Campbelltown
- Representative:
- City, New South Wales, Australia
- Clubs:
- Penrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters
Career
Milestones
- Premierships: 1991, 2002
- Kangaroo Tours: 1990, 1994, 2001
- Australian captain: 25 Tests
- Dally M Centre of the Year: 1992-93
- Dally M Lock of the Year: 1994
- Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year: 1998-99, 2002
- Nokia Provan-Summons Medal: 1997
- Rugby League Week Player of the Year: 1997
- Golden Boot award: 2000
- Named in NRL Team of the 1990s: 2003
Playing
- First Class Games
- 448
- Points
- 709
- Tries
- 166
Biography
Over 16 seasons, Brad Fittler set a standard for longevity and durability that few rugby league players could match. Perhaps the only comparable constant since Fittler's debut in 1989 to his retirement in 2004 was the five-eighth's line-breaking sidestep.
Fittler averaged more than 27 matches per season. Combining club and representative games, he played 409 matches, more than any other player at the time.
A two-time Australian Schoolboys representative, Fittler began his first-grade career with Penrith when he was still a high-school student.
He played in the Panthers' grand final loss in 1990, then in the club's first premiership side in 1991.
Representative football came in 1990 with Fittler making the first of 31 appearances for NSW. Fittler is still the youngest NSW State of Origin player (18 years 114 days).
Fittler led the Roosters to the 2002 premiership and grand final appearances in 2003 and 2004, and also led NSW 14 times, winning eight matches. He captained Australia in 20 Tests for 17 victories.
In 2000, Fittler received the Golden Boot award as the world game's best player. In a fairytale end to his rep career, Fittler returned to the NSW side in 2004 at the urging of coach Phil Gould, and played a central role in the Blues' series win.
"...hobbled by pain and stress, he could still turn games with his passion and courage and toughness and desire."
Phil Gould Former coach
97. Brad Fittler - Hall of Fame
Career Stats
Club Career
| Team Name | Competition | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penrith Panthers | Premiership | 1989 | 1995 | 119 | 31 | 5 | 2 | 136 |
| Penrith Panthers | Official Pre-season |
1990
1995 |
1993
1995 |
10 | 2 | - | - | 8 |
| Sydney Roosters | Premiership | 1996 | 2004 | 217 | 91 | 9 | 8 | 390 |
| Sydney Roosters | World Club Challenge | 2003 | 2003 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 4 |
Representative Career
City - Country
| Team Name | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Firsts | Country Firsts | 1990 | 1990 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 4 |
| City Origin | Country Origin | 1991 | 1997 | 7 | 1 | - | - | 4 |
State
| Team Name | Competition | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | State of Origin | Queensland |
1990
1998
2004 |
1996
2001
2004 |
31 | 8 | - | 2 | 34 |
International
| Team Name | Competition | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Tests and World Cup | 1991 | 2001 | 40 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 75 |
| Australia | Tour matches |
1990
1994 |
1992
1994 |
22 | 13 | 1 | - | 54 |
Latest
Hall of Fame Members
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
