Brad Fittler before age 24: SBW has alot to do yet....

[Broncodroid]

Members

For all the hoop-la and hype being created by sections of the media for Sonny-Bill Williams, I ask you all to keep the following mind when we dare compare him to the greats at only 19.

My thoughts on SBW being rated or overrated are there to be read in the thread titled "Sonny-Bill Williams Overrated" which was started by a moron intent of simply starting arguments between Canterbury and Sydney City fans.

In that thread, I state that SBW is perhaps the best talent to emerge since Brad Fittler in 1989. Read on to see what Brad Fittler did before turning the age of 24:

20 Tests
2 Kangaroo Tours
7 Tests as Australian Captain
2 World Cups
15 State Of Origin Appearances
NSW S.O.O Captain
2 GF Appearances
1 GF Win
RLW 10 out 10 rating joining the likes of Sterling in an elite class

The above in some corners was already “Immortal” like, the then Australian coach Bob Fulton went on to call him ‘the best player I have ever coached’…Bob Fulton coached the likes of Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Cliff Lyons and Brad Clyde.

I want SBW to succeed with his efforts on the field, not by media moron’s intent on selling papers and getting their yearly bonus. We will see some outlandish praised heaped on SBW, some deserved, some just hot air.

When SBW is 24 y.o., I will look at his record with a player like Brad Fittler and see how he has stacked up. Until then, I will sit and watch with anticipation to see how this pans out…for the good of NZRL and the international game, I am hoping we see a Brad Fittler like record when he turns 24.

 

[Foz]

If Sonny Bill stays healthy for the remainder of the off season he will have 4 tests including one man of the match (at least).
1 Tri-nations (is that a Kiwi Tour?).
I doubt Sonny-Bill will ever play origin (although some are looking to change the rule).
Captaining whilst being an honour means zip in comparing players.
Just wondering if Sterlo ever captained Australia in a test?
What effect did Super League have on Fittler being captain?
Too many things have changed in such a short space of time to even compare Fittler with Williams.
Only thing I know is right now I'd rather have Williams in my side than Fittler and I dont give a rats what age either is.

 

[innsaneink]

Members

For all the hoop-la and hype being created by sections of the media for Sonny-Bill Williams, I ask you all to keep the following mind when we dare compare him to the greats at only 19.

My thoughts on SBW being rated or overrated are there to be read in the thread titled "Sonny-Bill Williams Overrated" which was started by a moron intent of simply starting arguments between Canterbury and Sydney City fans.

In that thread, I state that SBW is perhaps the best talent to emerge since Brad Fittler in 1989. Read on to see what Brad Fittler did before turning the age of 24:

20 Tests
2 Kangaroo Tours
7 Tests as Australian Captain
2 World Cups
15 State Of Origin Appearances
NSW S.O.O Captain
2 GF Appearances
1 GF Win
RLW 10 out 10 rating joining the likes of Sterling in an elite class

The above in some corners was already “Immortal” like, the then Australian coach Bob Fulton went on to call him ‘the best player I have ever coached’…Bob Fulton coached the likes of Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Cliff Lyons and Brad Clyde.

I want SBW to succeed with his efforts on the field, not by media moron’s intent on selling papers and getting their yearly bonus. We will see some outlandish praised heaped on SBW, some deserved, some just hot air.

When SBW is 24 y.o., I will look at his record with a player like Brad Fittler and see how he has stacked up. Until then, I will sit and watch with anticipation to see how this pans out…for the good of NZRL and the international game, I am hoping we see a Brad Fittler like record when he turns 24.

Mate I find ALL your posts intelligent and well thought out and interesting.
One thing irks me.......why the constant refernce to the Sydney Roosters as 'Sydney City"?

As for SBW.....nothing seems to faze the guy, and I wish I got the opportunity to see him in PL last year.....he must have been a major stand-out because theres no way in the wide world that he could improve enough from an average standard PL player to the SBW we see today.

 

[greentooth]

What effect did Super League have on Fittler being captain?

A lot, Fitler's first taste as NSW captain in 1995 was a nightmare. Daley captained NSW to 3 straight series wins before the super league war. Daley also did this before the age of 25. Plus he had 3 premierships under his belt, Australian captain and Dally M player of the year. Fitler's not the only one with an impressive CV.

 

[Dr Crane]

1x Premiership
2x Strong Test Matches

20 Tests
2 Kangaroo Tours
7 Tests as Australian Captain
2 World Cups
15 State Of Origin Appearances
NSW S.O.O Captain
2 GF Appearances
1 GF Win

Sonny will get there
Sonny will get there
Maybe
Not unless the WC is back
Invalid because SBW can't play Origin
See above
100% GF record.

 

[Broncodroid]

Mate I find ALL your posts intelligent and well thought out and interesting.
One thing irks me.......why the constant refernce to the Sydney Roosters as 'Sydney City"?

Thanks for the compliment first up...

Secondly, I am not sure to be honest about the Sydney City thing...at one stage they were the Sydney City Roosters weren't they ? Old habit perhaps...other than that I was none to aware it was an issue :lol:

I will in future attempt to refrain from adding 'City' when discussing the Sydney Roosters.

 

[ngunity]

I really think the Media is to blame for drumming up a 'chalk and cheese' comparison between Fittler and SBW

If it had been a 150KG prop that was as big a star as Fittler retiring the media still would have said he was the next X (insert name of prop)

I think it's stupid to compare a ball playing fittler to a second row type SBW. Sure fittler stared in the centres, but surely what Roosters fans will remember him for in his latter days is his ball work and kicking. I really DOUBT SBW is struck from the halves mould and so think it's a poor comparison by the media

SBW may be a huge teen star like Fittler, but if they did some research they might find he's more in the mould of someone else. Brad Clyde to pluck a name out of the hat, since Sonny's much more likely to be a Lock than 5/8

Basically my gripe is that if Fittler wasn't in the limelight for retiring there might be a more apt comparison for SBW concocted, to match his playing style

 

[innsaneink]

I really think the Media is to blame for drumming up a 'chalk and cheese' comparison between Fittler and SBW

If it had been a 150KG prop that was as big a star as Fittler retiring the media still would have said he was the next X (insert name of prop)

I think it's stupid to compare a ball playing fittler to a second row type SBW. Sure fittler stared in the centres, but surely what Roosters fans will remember him for in his latter days is his ball work and kicking. I really DOUBT SBW is struck from the halves mould and so think it's a poor comparison by the media

SBW may be a huge teen star like Fittler, but if they did some research they might find he's more in the mould of someone else. Brad Clyde to pluck a name out of the hat, since Sonny's much more likely to be a Lock than 5/8

Basically my gripe is that if Fittler wasn't in the limelight for retiring there might be a more apt comparison for SBW concocted, to match his playing style

Possibly.....but last year Benji Marshall had the best step seen since Fittler.
Freddies the media yardstick. :lol:

They just forgot about Mundine though. :lol:

 

[bartman]

Shouldn't compare 24 yo Fittler with 19 year old Sonny - what does that achieve?

SBW is doing fine for a 19yo, and will do a lot more as the years go by. Next year he'll have to deal with being heavily marked as an identified danger man, and if he can handle that then we can see if he'll be Fittler-esque (or comparable to anyone else) in five years time.

 

[Kingytek]

As for SBW.....nothing seems to faze the guy, and I wish I got the opportunity to see him in PL last year.....he must have been a major stand-out because theres no way in the wide world that he could improve enough from an average standard PL player to the SBW we see today.

Mate, it's amazing what a bit of confidence can do

 

[CouldaBeenAnything]

For mine, Fittler in his first 2 gfs didn't have the impact of SBW (apart from cover tackle on Meninga in 91). He was in the second side of roo tour 90 and was blasted for coming back overweight.

SBW had a pretty good GF and made a greater impact than Freddy in his first GF and has played test football at a younger age, all though it was for NZ which is arguably an easier side to get into than Australia...

The balancing issue is that Freddie was a starter from an early age where SBW has come off the bench primarily, only because the Dogs could play him that way though IMO.

For mine they will both be remembered as greats in years to come

 

[DJ1]

Not a good comparison, a forward to a back.

Equally bad comparison a 24 yo to a 19 yo.

Try comparing any Lock or second rower at the age of 19.

Can you list Fittlers record at 19 instead of 24?

 

[Kingytek]

Not a good comparison, a forward to a back.

Equally bad comparison a 24 yo to a 19 yo.

Try comparing any Lock or second rower at the age of 19.

Can you list Fittlers record at 19 instead of 24?

In saying that, this was SBW rookie season, where by the age of 19 Fittler was in his 3rd season (wasnt he a 17yr old rookie?)

 

[Broncodroid]

Some members missed the point of my post completely...

Not a good comparison, a forward to a back.

I am not comparing the positional play of either Fittler or SBW, I am highlighting that both came into the game touted as future superstars with the media / ex-players comparing both to modern day greats at a young age.

To remind you, I did state:

"SBW is perhaps the best talent to emerge since Brad Fittler in 1989."

Equally bad comparison a 24 yo to a 19 yo.

I am not comparing the 24 y.o. Fittler to the 19 y.o. SBW...my point is simply that SBW has a lot to do over the next 4 or 5 years before he can be heralded as "the best export from NZ".

Fittler, before turning 24, was regarded the best player in the world and he stood as captain of the all conquering Test team as well as his state's captain. For all the hype on SBW, I am asking for fans to keep the original post in mind...

SBW is no lock to produce consistently for the next 4 or 5 years which makes a player great, there have been many flash in the pans so to speak...NO, I do not think SBW is a "flash in the pan", but I reserve the right NOT TO make such outlandish statements about a kid all of 19 when.

 

[[furrycat]]

How can you compare someone who played for several seasons compared to someone with less than 20 first grade games? SBW will be one of the greats, but lets compare Fittler's stats after 20 games to SBW's now... That would be fairer

 

[innsaneink]

Why do any of these great young up and coming players like SBW, Hunt, Tupou, Marshall etc have to be compared to anyone from the past??

Why cant we all, fans and the media alike just watch them and be entertained and amazed by them, and appreciate the skills they possess rather than label them and put them under pressure.

The new kid the Knights bought, a young half, has already been touted as "The new Johns" withouit even pulling on a red n blue jersey. Does this kid have some pressure now on him or what.

As it is....comparisons are like opinions.

 

[Mr Saab]

As it is....comparisons are like opinions.

I prefer this one
Opinions are like A$$holes.....everyone has them

 

[Dogaholic]

As it is....comparisons are like opinions.

I prefer this one
Opinions are like A$$holes.....everyone has them

I think he was reffering to that in a subtle way ;-)

 

[Mr Saab]

I think he was reffering to that in a subtle way ;-)

i prefer the blunt and up front way

 

[Corbin]

very gd post! v.true, dnt get me wrong i really like Sonni, (i have even named my new dog after him)its not that he is overated it is just hes been in the media a lot, it will be interesting if he will be able to stand up against Brad Fittlers achievements or possibly do even better. but until then we will have to wait and see.