Roosters called to account over Fittler
By Steve Mascord
September 7, 2004
Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen last night warned that clubs might be tempted to snub NRL promotions in the future if the league is unable to take action against Sydney Roosters for Brad Fittler's no-show at a captain's call yesterday.
Officials have demanded to know why the minor premiers granted their celebrated five-eighth a pardon from attending the traditional photo and interview session for eight finals captains at Aussie Stadium yesterday - only for Fittler to show up at the same venue for a team recovery session while the promotion was still in progress.
Fittler said last night: "I don't watch the news and I've got no comment on it," but the Roosters said he was mentally drained after a week of hype in the lead-up to his final regular-season game and had friends from out of town to entertain.
"Gorden [Tallis] is playing his last game in Brisbane this week and the training session he missed is our big one of the week," Cullen said. "We didn't necessarily want him to go to [the event] and he didn't necessarily want to go, but we had enough respect for the occasion and for the finals to make sure he went.
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"You've got players coming from the Cowboys and Melbourne and Canberra for it and yet it's his [Fittler's] home ground and he's not there. They tell me he was even at the stadium. It's hard to fathom."
Cullen said the Broncos would continue to co-operate with NRL promotions but added: "It does open a Pandora's box. If they can't discipline [the Roosters] then . . . they have won the minor premiership, he is the captain, it's their ground and he is high-profile. It's just hard to understand."
It's not the first time the captain's call has been below strength - injured Monty Betham filled in for the Warriors last year - but the fact Fittler was too busy to take part has irked other clubs.
North Queensland's Travis Norton braved the flu and a knee injury to travel from Townsville, Canberra's Simon Woolford patiently fielded questions on a high-tackle charge and Bulldog Steve Price had to get up in Auckland at 1.45am (Sydney time).
"Stephen Kearney has had a hamstring injury and his knee blew up in the plane at the weekend," said Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy. "We asked if we could send someone else but they [the NRL] jacked up. Anyway, this is their problem, not mine."
NRL chief executive David Gallop said: "The eight captains press conference is an important part of showcasing our finals series. We're disappointed that Brad was not there and we'll be seeking an explanation from the Roosters.
"It's not something we would consider a penalty for and I appreciate Luke Ricketson coming along at late notice."
The NRL was told of the switch early yesterday morning.
Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan said Fittler had asked late on Sunday night to be excused from the event because of "personal reasons".
"He's been exceptionally busy for the last week and going back to Origin," said Canavan. "He wanted to spend some time with his family and he had friends down from the bush.
"He had an enormous day yesterday and had to rush back to the club for a live [television] cross that night. We literally had to drag him away from his family.
"I would ask people to accept he was feeling the effects of a very stressful week and also realise that Luke Ricketson has played 278 first-grade games, and has captained the club before and attended the captain's call before."
Roosters coach Ricky Stuart said: "Freddie [Fittler] rang me late last night and asked if it was all right if he didn't go. He's been doing backflips for the league and lots of media all last week. I don't see it being a drama."
Canberra chief executive Simon Hawkins said: "I'm not going to comment on Brad Fittler but I know Simon [Woolford] is proud to pose for the photograph and wanted to be there."
Woolford is certain to challenge his grade-two careless high-tackle charge arising from Saturday's win over South Sydney. It carries a three-week ban.
"I didn't think there was much in it, personally," he told reporters at the captain's call. "I'm sure the club will do everything they can to fight it."
The other players charged yesterday - South Sydney's Scott Logan and Manly's Albert Torrens - are not involved in the finals.
Brisbane yesterday re-signed captain Darren Lockyer for five years and fullback Karmichael Hunt for two.
The first members of Australia's Tri-Nations train-on squad are Newcastle's Danny Buderus, Matt Gidley and Ben Kennedy, Parramatta's Nathan Hindmarsh and Cronulla's Brett Kimmorley.
