“I was 18. Insane,” Fittler recalled of his first experience as a teenager.
“I remember Wally Lewis doing a fitness test; he had a broken arm. I was watching him throwing himself on the ground, there was [coach] Bob Fulton and [doctor] Nathan Gibbs there with trainers at medicals. He wasn’t passed, so that was pretty much my position.
“I played in the grand final that year when we got beaten by Canberra. I figured they would take the most experienced bloke after they lost him, and they brought a kid in. I was in the right place at the right time.”
League great Brad Fittler.Credit: Getty Images
Fittler’s last coaching job was at the helm of the Blues, where he compiled a 9-9 overall record during his six-year tenure, including three series wins at a 50 per cent strike rate. The champion pivot believes he will be better for that experience if appointed Australian coach.
“Whoever takes the job, you take your experiences and try to be better,” he said.
“That’s always been the motto, try to learn from the past and be better at it. Coaching is very much like that; find out where you struggled, find out your weaknesses and try to improve on them.”
Should he be the successful candidate, there will be pressure on Fittler to ensure Australia remains the No.1 ranked nation.
“I haven’t played a game since I was a kid where I thought we couldn’t win,” Fittler said.
“That’s just part of loving sport, that competitive side of it. I’ve never thought I’m going to lose a game, whether I was playing, coaching or in any staff.
“I’ve never felt that way. It’s up to everyone else to decide odds and expectations.”
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The Kangaroos coaching gig would cap an incredible career in which Fittler had achieved every conceivable honour.
“The amazing part is, I’ve never planned any of it,” he said.
“I don’t remember as a kid planning to be a first-grader. I just love the game, being around it, and when opportunities come I’m happy to take it on. That’s been the attitude not only even as an 18-year-old but from when I first started at five.
“I love the game and these opportunities become available at different times. State of Origin is at the forefront of everyone’s mind at the moment, but in a couple of weeks when that fades away, they’ll amp up discussions and make sure there’s enough respect given to the Kangaroo tour.”
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