Brian Smith eyes fullback role for Todd Carney

[Cockadoodledoo]

No.
While he did improve moral for a small time and changed things when he came in to coach, he never changed another thing. That is why we lost the semis that first year.
This was pointed out to me by people involved in coaching in the NRL and junior representative teams.
The players apathy set in towards the end of Fitlers first year when they realised Fitler as a coach had nothing to offer and that nothing changed.
His appathy set in when he realised he had no idea and had no repsect from the younger players. This attitude of the younger players was confirmed by Fitler himself during a coaching course earlier in the year.

In my opinion O'meley never played much this year due to the same crap from the younger players.

The top two points are not the normal internet speculation and opinion, they are fact pointed out to me by people who have been there and done that.

I thought O'Meley dropped the ball badly this year but it was pointed out to me he should never have played as he had a serious knee problem before the season started and wanted surgery but Fittler told him to forget the surgery and play on.. Ultimately he could not get on the field and had the operation..

Not saying the crap from the kids didn't happen but it was the injury that stuffed him in the end.

[Guest]

I agree. His indiscretion was a result of stress and pressure IMO. Not an excuse but a reason.
I'll never forget the end of the season when he took over from Anderson! So exciting and hopeful. This success did not prepare him for the "real" world of coaching.

just because he was caught does not mean it was his only indiscretion, he lost the locker room mid last season and failed to get it back, dont for one minute think Fittler let his hair down that once and was caught

[Guest]

No.
While he did improve moral for a small time and changed things when he came in to coach, he never changed another thing. That is why we lost the semis that first year.
This was pointed out to me by people involved in coaching in the NRL and junior representative teams.
The players apathy set in towards the end of Fitlers first year when they realised Fitler as a coach had nothing to offer and that nothing changed.
His appathy set in when he realised he had no idea and had no repsect from the younger players. This attitude of the younger players was confirmed by Fitler himself during a coaching course earlier in the year.

In my opinion O'meley never played much this year due to the same crap from the younger players.

The top two points are not the normal internet speculation and opinion, they are fact pointed out to me by people who have been there and done that.

as usual KB is spot on the money, O Meley had alot to offer not just as a player but a leader, the young blokes chose not to listen.

[novice chook]

I have never doubted nor derided Fittler's talents and achievements as a player. But I also never lose sight of the fact that he was extremely well paid for his services, they were never for free, and what he did exactly what you could expect from your best paid employee.

As for being a Club legend, I admit I struggle to comprehend that someone who is given that status could be so involved in a year that did the Club so much damage. All he seemed to care about was his own reputation and that of individual players - the damage to the Club's reputation and the lack of respect some players showed the Club barely rated a mention.

That's what pissed me off more than anything else, it was all about protecting the players who didn't deserve it, never about protecting the Club.

I agree with KB, Fitzy is deserving of the status of a Club legend and ranked higher than Fittler, not because he was as talented or achieved as much, but simply because everything that bloke ever did as a player at the Roosters had the best interests of the Club at heart. Individual glory always ran a distant second to what was better for the team.

Fitzy was a true Club man. And you can be sure if he ever comes back to the Club in any coaching capacity there will be no repeat of the FW Fittler reign.


NC

[Rooster_6]

I have never doubted nor derided Fittler's talents and achievements as a player. But I also never lose sight of the fact that he was extremely well paid for his services, they were never for free, and what he did exactly what you could expect from your best paid employee.

As for being a Club legend, I admit I struggle to comprehend that someone who is given that status could be so involved in a year that did the Club so much damage. All he seemed to care about was his own reputation and that of individual players - the damage to the Club's reputation and the lack of respect some players showed the Club barely rated a mention.

That's what pissed me off more than anything else, it was all about protecting the players who didn't deserve it, never about protecting the Club.

I agree with KB, Fitzy is deserving of the status of a Club legend and ranked higher than Fittler, not because he was as talented or achieved as much, but simply because everything that bloke ever did as a player at the Roosters had the best interests of the Club at heart. Individual glory always ran a distant second to what was better for the team.

Fitzy was a true Club man. And you can be sure if he ever comes back to the Club in any coaching capacity there will be no repeat of the FW Fittler reign.


NC

Salary is weak argument when you're talking about legends... it's just the way sport is these days, love it or hate it you should never use it to judge a players standing in the game or at a club.

Blaming the recent demise of the club on Fittler is very harsh he was never prepared for what was coming and the way he acted after his sacking just shows that. I still remember when he was appointed and he said he was born with a golden egg up his arse... so true. He will have learnt a lot from what happened and I guarantee if he ever comes back it will be as a better and more professional person.

Without him it's questionable where our club would stand right now, certainly not the powerhouse we have been especially in the early part of this decade. You can't put a price on what he has brought to this club and you can say the same about Fitzy... that makes them club legends and I hope in years to come they are both sitting on our board making the best decisions to take our club forward.

[novice chook]

Rooster 6, the reason I mentioned salary is that I'm tired of hearing of how much Fittler supposedly 'gave' to the Club - that suggests he did it all for free, which he didn't. And I doubt he would have been at the Club as long as he was if he wasn't very well looked after, on and off the field.

Fittler has had a life time of opportunity not many people have the privilege of having. And I hope that he has learned some harsh lessons from his experiences this year, but his attitude even at the end was not of an individual who was looking to improve himself.

I'm sure not his natural persona will lend itself to a successful coaching career long term unless he can rid himself of that laid back, she'll be right attitude that is who he is as a bloke.


NC

[Kingbilly]

For me I do not blame Fittler for the current circumstances of the club any where as much as I blame the Roosters management and board, keystone copy amatuerism at best.
As a player Fittler had a profound ability to get the players around him to play well and I can't ever remember seeing him miss a tackle. But I can not rate him as one of the games greats. For me there were too many days when he just didn't turn up, doesn't help when 2 of those were grandfinals that were there to be won.

[Rooster_6]

Rooster 6, the reason I mentioned salary is that I'm tired of hearing of how much Fittler supposedly 'gave' to the Club - that suggests he did it all for free, which he didn't. And I doubt he would have been at the Club as long as he was if he wasn't very well looked after, on and off the field.

Fittler has had a life time of opportunity not many people have the privilege of having. And I hope that he has learned some harsh lessons from his experiences this year, but his attitude even at the end was not of an individual who was looking to improve himself.

I'm sure not his natural persona will lend itself to a successful coaching career long term unless he can rid himself of that laid back, she'll be right attitude that is who he is as a bloke.


NC

Nothing is free... even Fitzy had a salary.

Their impacts on the club were very different one was a marketers dream... got the club to the top, brought in the fans and the repercussions of this in sponsorship dollars, player appeal, merchandise sales etc etc can't be measured. You could argue that he more than returned whatever we payed him.

Fitzy on the other hand was a great club man... I don't need to speak about how great he was because everyone already knows.

I don't see why 1 poor season as a coach seems to cloud everyone's judgment of what regard Fittler should be held in at our club. He doubled our membership numbers in 1 season... enough said.

[Guest]

Nothing is free... even Fitzy had a salary.

Their impacts on the club were very different one was a marketers dream... got the club to the top, brought in the fans and the repercussions of this in sponsorship dollars, player appeal, merchandise sales etc etc can't be measured. You could argue that he more than returned whatever we payed him.

Fitzy on the other hand was a great club man... I don't need to speak about how great he was because everyone already knows.

I don't see why 1 poor season as a coach seems to cloud everyone's judgment of what regard Fittler should be held in at our club. He doubled our membership numbers in 1 season... enough said.

I completely agree

[Guest]

Rooster 6, the reason I mentioned salary is that I'm tired of hearing of how much Fittler supposedly 'gave' to the Club - that suggests he did it all for free, which he didn't. And I doubt he would have been at the Club as long as he was if he wasn't very well looked after, on and off the field.

Fittler has had a life time of opportunity not many people have the privilege of having. And I hope that he has learned some harsh lessons from his experiences this year, but his attitude even at the end was not of an individual who was looking to improve himself.

I'm sure not his natural persona will lend itself to a successful coaching career long term unless he can rid himself of that laid back, she'll be right attitude that is who he is as a bloke. NC

Mate, you seriously underestimate Fittler's contribution to this club. I'm not going to try and compare him and Fitzy, it's pointless and idiotic, both were amazing players for the club.

But you have to understand that Brad Fittler deadset carried this club on his shoulders for the best part of a decade. He was as important to us as Johns was to Newcastle. When he was there, people lifted, we played well, and we won footy games. This wasn't just some random coincidence. He was a fantastic leader. Without Brad Fittler, we would have been up shit creek without a ****ing stick, let alone a paddle.

He was and damn well still is the best thing to have happened to the club since 1975.

[Guest]

Nothing is free... even Fitzy had a salary.

Their impacts on the club were very different one was a marketers dream... got the club to the top, brought in the fans and the repercussions of this in sponsorship dollars, player appeal, merchandise sales etc etc can't be measured. You could argue that he more than returned whatever we payed him.

Fitzy on the other hand was a great club man... I don't need to speak about how great he was because everyone already knows.

I don't see why 1 poor season as a coach seems to cloud everyone's judgment of what regard Fittler should be held in at our club. He doubled our membership numbers in 1 season... enough said.

Unfortunately coaches aren't employed to increase membership

[Kingbilly]

I don't see why 1 poor season as a coach seems to cloud everyone's judgment of what regard Fittler should be held in at our club. He doubled our membership numbers in 1 season... enough said.

It was more than 1 poor season.

[Rooster_6]

Unfortunately coaches aren't employed to increase membership

I never said they were... it was just an example of the effect he has had at our club.

[Guest]

I never said they were... it was just an example of how effect he has had at our club.

Jason Taylor was.