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

[Mr Saab]

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.

and why is Brad Fittler the be all and end all when comparing players to (not that i like comparing)
Sonny Bill will stand up on his own and be judged by his own accomplishments.
Look at Lockyer...granted he didnt click until his 3rd yr in 1997 after coming into the league as an 18yr old....but now he is "da man" and is compared to no one.
SBW cant be compared to Fittler as :
A. One is a Kiwi and one is an Aussie...thus SBW cant play SOO
B. One is a back rower and the other was a centre/lock/5.8

SBW should be left alone.

 

[vbfg]

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

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

I prefer this one:

A$$holes are like opinions.....I'm only interested in my own.

 

[pcpp]

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

1 test - probably 6 by the end of the year.
If he keeps his current form, he might surpass that for Kiwi tours
Perhaps he might be captain.
There won't be a world cup till hes 23. He can't pass that.
He can't be a SOO player...
let alone captain
1 GF Apperance
1 GF Win
Named one of the best rookies ever, compared to many greats.

 

[Mr Saab]

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

1 test - probably 6 by the end of the year.
If he keeps his current form, he might surpass that for Kiwi tours
Perhaps he might be captain.
There won't be a world cup till hes 23. He can't pass that.
He can't be a SOO player...
let alone captain
1 GF Apperance
1 GF Win
Named one of the best rookies ever, compared to many greats.

who cares if he doesnt match Fittlers "achievements" by age 24. Seriously. Why is Fittler THE player to be compared to when one player is a F'N backrower whilst the other was a back!!!!!!
Lockyer doesnt have the stats of Langlands but does that make Lockyer any less a player compared to the Great Langlands??????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Andrew Johns doesnt have the achievments that Wally Lewis has, does that make Johns much lesser a player compared Wally???????
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Some of you people should get your heads out of Fittlers A$$$$$$$$$$$ and STOP with the Bull$hit comparisons.

 

[aids]

SBW is the next Barnhill!!!

 

[JJ]

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

Fittler is a great - SBW will probably be one - but injuries etc could have an effect there.

Fittler was oustanding in his first two grand-finals - remember - he started, was playing centre (when 5/8 or lock were his better positions) and was up against one of the greatest backlines ever seen in club football, and it was prior to the interchange rules. His tackle on Meninga, his run off the Geyer pass etc - inspirational, and the latter was instrumental in the win.

I've criticised Fittler for going missing on occasion - but only because he is measured by such high standards.

Also - someone said comparing SBW to Fittler was unfair, as Fittler is a back - remember, Fittler was great at lock - forcing Clyde into the 2dn row for Aust - and also rememeber that the only game SBW has started (I think) was at centre...

SBW is an oustanding talent - but so was Fittler - and Fittler is/was a much more complete player - but that doesn't mean SBW won't become that, although I don'tsee him as a 5/8 - but god knows we (Kiwis) need a 5/8

 

[Mr Saab]

Also - someone said comparing SBW to Fittler was unfair, as Fittler is a back - remember, Fittler was great at lock - forcing Clyde into the 2dn row for Aust - and also rememeber that the only game SBW has started (I think) was at centre...

SBW is an oustanding talent - but so was Fittler - and Fittler is/was a much more complete player - but that doesn't mean SBW won't become that, although I don'tsee him as a 5/8 - but god knows we (Kiwis) need a 5/8

Fittler played Lock because there was no other place for him in 1992-1994.
Australia had Renouf and Meninga with Daley at 5/8.
They had to put him in there somewhere so lock it was. Clyde was good enough to play 2nd row. Dont put Fittler on such a high pedestal back in those days PLEAAAAAAAAAASE.

 

[JJ]

Also - someone said comparing SBW to Fittler was unfair, as Fittler is a back - remember, Fittler was great at lock - forcing Clyde into the 2dn row for Aust - and also rememeber that the only game SBW has started (I think) was at centre...

SBW is an oustanding talent - but so was Fittler - and Fittler is/was a much more complete player - but that doesn't mean SBW won't become that, although I don'tsee him as a 5/8 - but god knows we (Kiwis) need a 5/8

Fittler played Lock because there was no other place for him in 1992-1994.
Australia had Renouf and Meninga with Daley at 5/8.
They had to put him in there somewhere so lock it was. Clyde was good enough to play 2nd row. Dont put Fittler on such a high pedestal back in those days PLEAAAAAAAAAASE.

I didn't mean to put him on a high pedestal - but he was great at lock. He was not a great centre.

Many great Australian players have played out of position - Kenny a notable one. Fittler was outstanding at lock in 92-94. Again - my big criticism of him was that at times he went missing - unlike Daley - but Daley was a very different player. Fittler had much in common with Lewis - except that Lewis would always make his presence felt in big games - whereas Fittler hasn't always done that - hence, I think Fittler is behind the likes of Sterling, Kenny, Lazarus, and Clyde when it comes to the selection of future immortals. If there was a Hall of Fame like American sports, then he's a certainty, but an exclusive club like the immortals - I'd say not - but also a not to Daley, Langer, and Meninga - whereas Sterling, Kenny, Lazarus and Clyde would all get me thinking

 

[Mr Saab]

Many great Australian players have played out of position - Kenny a notable one. Fittler was outstanding at lock in 92-94. Again - my big criticism of him was that at times he went missing - unlike Daley - but Daley was a very different player. Fittler had much in common with Lewis - except that Lewis would always make his presence felt in big games - whereas Fittler hasn't always done that - hence, I think Fittler is behind the likes of Sterling, Kenny, Lazarus, and Clyde when it comes to the selection of future immortals. If there was a Hall of Fame like American sports, then he's a certainty, but an exclusive club like the immortals - I'd say not - but also a not to Daley, Langer, and Meninga - whereas Sterling, Kenny, Lazarus and Clyde would all get me thinking

I think Mal with his record WILL be the next immortal amongst the players you mentioned.

4 roo tours (more than anyone)
2 time roo captain (more than anyone)
45 tests (more than anyone)

 

[Tommy Smith]

JJ, Freddy did win the Roosters a Premiership off his own back. Anyone who remembers the 02 GF will know he was the true Churchill Medallist. Quite frankly it was an absolute disgrace that he didnt get it because. At one stage we were nearly gone until he stood up. And also theres the 10/10 game vs the Kiwis when Australia were looking like losing (i think thats the one). Obviously there would be more examples but my point is, if you think he goes missing in big games well thats your opinion, but there certainly have been times where he has stood up in the biggest games.

 

[anastabation]

Lets just enjoy him while we can! Who cares if he does or doesn't achieve similar accolades to past greats... hes an excellent young player, he has already achieved things that most players don't achieve in an entrie career and he hasn't even played a full season!

 

[Mr Saab]

Lets just enjoy him while we can! Who cares if he does or doesn't achieve similar accolades to past greats... hes an excellent young player, he has already achieved things that most players don't achieve in an entrie career and he hasn't even played a full season!

EXACTLY

compared to Fittler :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[DJ1]

Don't forget that Fittler only got the Australian captaincy as part of his 5 season $4M plus contract (as per the NRLs Big League publication) to leave Panthers at the beginning of the war. Don't think there was any altruism there.

 

[aids]

fitler was a gun, a go-to-man and was rated!!!

 

[JJ]

JJ, Freddy did win the Roosters a Premiership off his own back. Anyone who remembers the 02 GF will know he was the true Churchill Medallist. Quite frankly it was an absolute disgrace that he didnt get it because. At one stage we were nearly gone until he stood up. And also theres the 10/10 game vs the Kiwis when Australia were looking like losing (i think thats the one). Obviously there would be more examples but my point is, if you think he goes missing in big games well thats your opinion, but there certainly have been times where he has stood up in the biggest games.

No question - he was great in the 2 Penrith GFs - was the reason the Roosters won in 2002, was dominant in the Aust ARL side. I'm a big fan, but he has gone missing at times (i.e., the origin series when Vautin's side won 3-0 - of course he wasn't the only one to go missing).

Of 5/8's I've seen - I'd rate Lewis and Kenny above him - and he and Daley equal (which one I'd have at 5/8 would depend on who I had at half)

 

[greentooth]

Of 5/8's I've seen - I'd rate Lewis and Kenny above him - and he and Daley equal (which one I'd have at 5/8 would depend on who I had at half)

I agree. Daley had a very successful combination with Stuart for NSW, so Freddy was unlucky not to get the No. 6 until later in his career. But it's apples and oranges for those 2.

 

[Mr Saab]

I agree. Daley had a very successful combination with Stuart for NSW, so Freddy was unlucky not to get the No. 6 until later in his career. But it's apples and oranges for those 2.

Fittler played lock and centre for most of his career from 1989-1995 at club level.
If he wasnt playing 5/8 at club level how on earth was he going to surpass Daley at 5/8 for NSW...especially when Daley had Stuart at #7.
Freddy was NOT unlucky.