http://smh.com.au/news/League/Fredd...004/12/18/1103312786176.html?from=moreStories
League legend Brad Fittler has had a heart-to-heart chat with wonderkid Sonny Bill Williams about how to deal with life as a teenage sensation.
The retired Fittler burst on to the scene as a 17-year-old at Penrith in 1989, just as Williams, 19, did with the Bulldogs this year.
Fittler was instantly hailed as the next big thing but didn't let his overnight fame go to his head and forged a hugely successful 15-year career to become one of the game's most adored figures.
At the Rugby League Professionals Association awards night last weekend, Fittler pulled Williams aside to have a chat and spoke about the dangers associated with fame.
"I couldn't believe it," Williams said. "He just came up to me and started having a chat. There's no way I would have gone up to him.
"He was really friendly. He just talked about what happened to him when he started out and how he dealt with it.
"He said you've got to enjoy it all but don't take anything for granted, that nothing is going to come to you easily."
The rise of Williams has been even more prominent than that of Fittler.
In his debut season Williams won a premiership with the Bulldogs, represented New Zealand for the first time and collected a host of awards.
It took Fittler a year longer to win his first title at Penrith and to play international football.
"He's been where I am I guess and he said he can understand what I'm going through," Williams said. "He said you've got to keep your head down and work even harder because it can all disappear if you don't.
"If I have a career even half as good as he has I'll be happy.
"He's someone I've always looked up to and halfway through the conversation I remember thinking, 'I can't believe I'm talking to Brad Fittler'."
Despite his stellar season and emergence as a league cult figure, Williams remains grounded.
He said he was still amazed about the year he has had and was looking forward to finding out what 2005 has in store.
"Some players go their whole careers without experiencing what I have this year so for that I'm very grateful," he said.
"Every now and then I look at my Bulldogs team photo and think, 'I can't believe I'm standing next to Willie Mason'.
"At the start of the year I was living with Willie Tonga and Reni Maitua and we all set a goal together to play five first-grade games each.
"Willie has gone on to play for Australia and Reni's had a great year too. It's more than any of us could have hoped for."
It's no surprise that Williams has been inundated with sponsorship deals.
Yesterday he picked up an $80,000 vehicle as part of an unusual deal.
In six months the car with be auctioned on eBay and Williams will present the car to the new owner. The proceeds raised will go to a charity of Williams's choice.
Sounds like a top young bloke who's got his head screwed on right. Everything I see and read just screams Absolute Champion. And about what you'd expect from Freddie too
League legend Brad Fittler has had a heart-to-heart chat with wonderkid Sonny Bill Williams about how to deal with life as a teenage sensation.
The retired Fittler burst on to the scene as a 17-year-old at Penrith in 1989, just as Williams, 19, did with the Bulldogs this year.
Fittler was instantly hailed as the next big thing but didn't let his overnight fame go to his head and forged a hugely successful 15-year career to become one of the game's most adored figures.
At the Rugby League Professionals Association awards night last weekend, Fittler pulled Williams aside to have a chat and spoke about the dangers associated with fame.
"I couldn't believe it," Williams said. "He just came up to me and started having a chat. There's no way I would have gone up to him.
"He was really friendly. He just talked about what happened to him when he started out and how he dealt with it.
"He said you've got to enjoy it all but don't take anything for granted, that nothing is going to come to you easily."
The rise of Williams has been even more prominent than that of Fittler.
In his debut season Williams won a premiership with the Bulldogs, represented New Zealand for the first time and collected a host of awards.
It took Fittler a year longer to win his first title at Penrith and to play international football.
"He's been where I am I guess and he said he can understand what I'm going through," Williams said. "He said you've got to keep your head down and work even harder because it can all disappear if you don't.
"If I have a career even half as good as he has I'll be happy.
"He's someone I've always looked up to and halfway through the conversation I remember thinking, 'I can't believe I'm talking to Brad Fittler'."
Despite his stellar season and emergence as a league cult figure, Williams remains grounded.
He said he was still amazed about the year he has had and was looking forward to finding out what 2005 has in store.
"Some players go their whole careers without experiencing what I have this year so for that I'm very grateful," he said.
"Every now and then I look at my Bulldogs team photo and think, 'I can't believe I'm standing next to Willie Mason'.
"At the start of the year I was living with Willie Tonga and Reni Maitua and we all set a goal together to play five first-grade games each.
"Willie has gone on to play for Australia and Reni's had a great year too. It's more than any of us could have hoped for."
It's no surprise that Williams has been inundated with sponsorship deals.
Yesterday he picked up an $80,000 vehicle as part of an unusual deal.
In six months the car with be auctioned on eBay and Williams will present the car to the new owner. The proceeds raised will go to a charity of Williams's choice.
Sounds like a top young bloke who's got his head screwed on right. Everything I see and read just screams Absolute Champion. And about what you'd expect from Freddie too 
