Brad Fittler in bizarre pub baron development amid State of Origin coaching debate
A massive sponsorship deal could end up being the saving grace for Brad Fittler, as NSWRL mulls his future as Blues coach.
Brad Fittler's future as NSW Blues coach has taken a dramatic turn, with the three-time series winner's job potentially hinging on support from pub magnate Stu Laundy. Fittler is set to present to the board of NSWRL next week in an effort to retain his position following the 2-1 series defeat earlier this year.
Bursting onto the scene with two series wins coming from his first two campaigns at the helm after his appointment in 2018, Fittler has come under increasing pressure after the 2023 Origin series was characterised by a series off bizarre selection choices, many of which backfired. The treatment of reigning Dally M winner Nico Hynes was a storyline throughout, after the Sharks star played just 10 minutes in game one before not getting a look in for the remaining two games.
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Laundy, whose billion-dollar pub empire also sponsors the Canterbury Bulldogs, has reportedly stepped in to cover the cost of Fittler's contract - but his support will hinge on Fittler staying on as coach. NSWRL will complete their own review of the 2023 series after hearing Fittler's assessment of it this week, with a final decision regarding the 51-year-old's future at the helm due in October.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Laundy revealed he's had the idea to cover Fittler's salary after hearing about a similar arrangement between a friend of his and Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson. Laundy said he didn't believe Fittler's deserved the weight of scrutiny applied to him following the lost series in 2023.
“Freddy is my hero and my mate,” Laundy said. “We love him, Joey (Andrew Johns) and Gus (Phil Gould), and if we can help we will.
“I don’t know if he is going around again, but I don’t want to sit back and just watch him cop it from those people like he had to this year. I want him to know we have faith in him and support him.
“If he goes around again, we will sponsor him and his coaching team. A mate of mine sponsors Trent Robinson through his company, GSA, so I asked him about it and we want to back Freddy. I hope the rules let us because we want to be involved.”
Brad Fittler advised to lean in to Ivan Cleary speculation
The support from Laundy comes amid reports from a number of leading journos earlier in August that the under-fire coach will be offered a one-year extension. Danny Weidler of Channel 9 reported that the NSWRL board insisted they haven't had any discussions around Fittler's future, but "a (one) year contract is the quiet tip."
Weidler tweeted: "Blues say board has had no discussions re Brad Fittler's future. He will present to them (on) August 25. After that it will be some time before a decision is made. Having said that, a (one) year contract is the quiet tip."
In discussions about Fittler's future, Brent Read suggested there may have been more to the story behind the appearance of Penrith coach Ivan Cleary in the box for game three of the series. Eyebrows were raised when Cleary was spotted in the box, however Read said his inclusion for the 2024 series could be crucial in tilting the odds in Fittler's favour.
“I reckon what he’s got to be really smart about is what he says about his own coaching staff,” Read told Triple M. “Because we saw they won Origin III and they had Ivan Cleary involved for the first time.
“I’d be reaching out to Ivan as part of my review if I’m Brad then I’d be going back to New South Wales rugby league and would say ‘look I want to do it again and Ivan, or someone of that ilk, is willing to do it with me and I reckon that would help his cause immensely.”
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