Roosters supreme Nick Politis once commented that he had never wanted to appoint Brad Fittler as coach because he couldn’t bear the thought that one day he might have to fire him.
The way things are going that may be a thought which he may seriously have to entertain.
When Fittler, the Roosters golden boy and held in the same sort of esteem as club legends Arthur Beetson and Johnny Peard, was appointed as coach he was hailed as the club’s saviour.
The side was in freefall as the unpopular decision to appoint Chris Anderson was proving to be an unmitigated disaster as they plunged towards a wooden spoon. For a club which had been the benchmark of the competition just a few seasons ago this was unthinkable.
Fittler, his folksy charm a real contrast to Anderson’s abrupt and direct fashion, transformed the team, got them winning and again became the darling of Roosters fans and, importantly, the media.
‘Freddie’ could do no wrong, he was described a ‘breath of fresh air’ who didn’t take coaching too seriously. Oh how the scribes chuckled when he spoke of ducking to the loo during the match. It even made the Fitz files!
The players lined up to tell the press how much they loved playing under him and how much they were learning. A one Mason, W spoke of how Freddie had taught him more in a few months than he had learnt in his entire time at the Bulldogs and that he had learned to love rugby league again.
And the world breathed a collective sigh of relief.
How times change.
Now even journos that don’t attend his press conferences are bagging his performances at them. His honesty which was seen as such a breath of fresh air is now is nothing short of a national disgrace as he should be reading out pre-prepared contrite statements filled with clichés about letting the side, the club and the code down.
But it isn’t the press conferences and the irritated responses that will mark his card, it is the performance on the field that are the concern.
The Roosters faded badly at the end of last season and surrendered meekly in the finals.
This season has seen them hammered by Souths in round one before crushing the Raiders, but then getting blown off the park by the Tigers.
Cause for concern? It is probably a bit early, but it doesn’t bring instil a lot of confidence.
But it is the off field stuff which has the Roosters looking like a bunch of chickens minus their heads.
Forget Jake Friend.
It’s secret deals for Todd Carney, filling the war chest for a bid for Karmichael Hunt, and the rumblings of problems with Mason that make you wonder what is going on.
Peter O’Sullivan was lured from Melbourne on the biggest salary of any recruitment manager in the game to find the tri-colours the next Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and Israel Folau.
Instead they seem to be monitoring the file marked “bad boys and head cases”.
O’Sullivan has publicly said that someone is leaking misinformation in order to destabilise the club, but these leaks normally come from within which makes things even more perplexing.
This sort of stuff used to always happen down the road at Redfern, now the lunatics look to be plotting a coup of the asylum at Bondi Junction.
It could be a long season.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
Steve, I hold Peard and Artie in the highest esteem, but was overseas for most of Fittlers magic at Bondi junction. But, I saw him turn a game with that huge step, make the tiger woods play, if you like. I understand Politis position of not wanting to sack Fittler. But, then he goes and surrounds him, sorry, weighs him down with has beens and never was's who cause trouble that distracts and frustrates any coach, let alone a young one. The problem, in response to the article's screaming head line is the player group. More Fitzys and NO Masons and distemper riddled former bulldogs...... or badly behaved dickheads............... Sa, Cherrington. It is not that hard. We were sitting in the SFS members last season. the Roosters were getting towelled. The miniscule crowd had passed through frustration to boredom. One very polite, observant wag, at the top of his voice drew the members attention to a very large prop, pedalling away on the exercise bike. "Stop doing ya miles on the Bike,Myles. do it on the field, ya big pillow." Summed it up perfectly. Just when the highly paid, senior player was needed on the field, he was pedalling away from the action.......... on a stationary exercise bike...................... The Pun on his surname was an added bonus........ It sums up the situation then and now...........Over to you Politis. You have the motivation, You dont want to sack Freddie..........
cosmos forever
Guest
There are two teams in the NRL who's behaviour on the field (whining, questioning the ref, non-captains engaging in discussions with officials, and my most hated rubbing the heads of opposition players who make mistakes) would see them ejected from any Sunday morning junior rugby league match. They are Parra and the Roosters. If Roosters players put the energy into playing that they put into whinging they would be minor premiers. This week's game is going to require the crowd to wear earplugs to block out the high-octave whine... Anasta is a terrible captain who lets the team descend. Just look how happy Monoghan is now he is away from the club. And guess what - I LOVE IT!!!!!
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
An interesting postscript to this is that Mason and Myles have been stood down for their next match, won't they look good in a Newtown jumper, but in all seriousness if Brett Seymour was slow on the uptake then what are these blokes. Obviously it was a small breach, but any breach now shows a lack of focus on the problems the club are facing. Znotty, I agree with you that at this point I still see K Hunt in a Broncos jersey next season.
znotty
Guest
Overrated & too old is a thought that comes to mind when i think of the Roosters but if they think Hunt`s up for grabs their kidding themselves,Its Lockear who will be on the market with Saints the favourites,Hunt will be the player Brisbane build the team around regardless of the contract posturing at the moment. the Roosters are in need of another clubs juniors......as usual.
jaymz
Roar Rookie
Our main problem this season has been we lost some quality players, but did not sign any. We would of been better off signing some quality forwards and using some of our older forwards (ogre, mason, fitzy) in 20 min spurts in each half. our main issue is depth in the forwards. Tupou was a huge loss for us
Alan Nicolea
Guest
Steve Things are tough at the moment for the chooks. This is Fittler's first real challenge if he is to succeed as a premiership coach. The fairytale dust has run out for the Roosters. Its time they start realising that unless they turn up with the right enthusiasim in defence, they will suffer tremendously. Its a shame because youngsters such as Sam Perrett are really gving it their all for this club. The experienced folk on the other hand appear near their use by date. I can only hope things turn around soon starting against the Eels this friday night. It has to if we will have any chance against Brisbane the following week.
melvin brubeck
Guest
Haven't been watching -- lie, did see the Rabbits the other week versus someone, forget who, and they were over-powered by a stronger outfit, Melbourne from memory -- but if Big Willie is again causing problems, gee, they should just jettison him. The bugger's never happy, always whining and whinging, and then comes up short, fizzes out when the heat's turned up every time. Freddie obviously needs to do some deep soul searching, and ask the team to step up -- demand the team step up! -- or they should resign en masse for accepting decent money on false pretences. Might tune in now to see what's going on there. My barber, a committed Rooster aficionado must be having sleepless nights then. The other thing is some of these Roosters warhorses are getting a bit long in the tooth, so perhaps what is needed is some young blood to revitalise the side.