Brad Fittler

Now head coach of the New South Wales rugby league team, Brad Fittler is widely known across Australia for his fearsome reputation on the field. Making his debut playing for the Penrith Panthers in 1989, he was the youngest ever to join the league and play at the State of Origin series in 1990; the same year he also completed his first of three Kangaroo Tours. By 1991, he helped his team reach their first ever premiership victory.

Fittler earned the Dally M Centre of The Year medal in 1992-1993 and the Dally M Lock of The Year medal in 1994 for his masterful skills in both positions. In that same year, he became captain and led his team to victory in the Rugby League World Cup and Kangaroo Tour. He joined the Sydney City Roosters in 1996 and was awarded the Nokia Provan Summons Medal and named ‘Player of The Year’ by Rugby League Week magazine in 1997. His impressive performance on the field also earned him the Dally M Five-Eighth of The Year medal in 1998, the Dally M Captain of The Year in 1999, and the Golden Boot Award in 2000.

By his retirement from playing on the field in 2004, he was known as the most-capped New South Wales State of Origin player with 448 first class games and an outstanding 709 cumulative points. He published three books including his autobiography Freddy under HarperCollins Publishers and was inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame in 2008. Fittler continues coaching rugby teams on national and international levels.