Round 19
Newcastle Knights 17 l. Sydney Roosters 20

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Fittler the miracle worker
Sat July 21, 2007
Brad Fittler was one of the all-time great players to grace the football field and in short two weeks he is shaping up as a miracle worker in the coaching fraternity.

The Roosters turned to Fittler two weeks ago when Chris Anderson's health and motivation got the better of him and Fittler has turned the Roosters into a new outfit springing with enthusiasum, passion and always in the game.

Teams are often a reflection of a coaches personality and it's clear that Fittler is so far enjoying the coaching caper and has brought the neccessary drive into the position, which is reflecting on the players who are having fun, hanging in there when things may go against them and playing for each other.

Anderson was a proven coach at all levels and in two countries, but unfortunately his health took a battering this year as photos clearly showed and his enjoyment in the position wasn't the same as it was when in charge of Halifax, Canterbury, Melbourne or Australia - and this reflected in the Roosters performances.

All the sudden the Roosters are two points outside of 8th position providing the Wests Tigers beat the Warriors tomorrow and their season is looking on the up after being equal favourites for the wooden spoon in the short space of time after Penrith defeated the Bulldogs and the Roosters took the field against Cronulla.

The match at Energy Australia Stadium was closely fought thoughout with both sides desperate for the two points.

Newcastle led 12-10 at the break with Adam MacDougall crossing in the 4th minute and Cooper Vuna in the 18th as Kurt Gidley converted both tries. David Shillington scored his first try of the season for the Roosters in the 16th minute Joel Monaghan crossed in the 31st minute with Craig Fitzgibbon only converting the Shillington try.

The Roosters hit the lead eight minutes into the second half with Lopini Paea scoring and Fitzgibbon's conversion made it 16-12. However, the Knights soon struck back Vuna scoring his second try eight minutes later. Gidley was unable to convert with the scores locked up.

Luke Walsh took an early shot at drop goal in the 68th minute and it was a good decision until Mitchell Aubusson scored the match winner with three minutes remaining when he carried MacDougall over the line. Fitzgibbon was unable to convert and the Roosters controlled possession after that moment to win 20-17.

Craig Wing and Iosia Soliola were outstanding for the visitors with Wing switching between halfback and hooker during the match. Fittler had special praise for Wing after the match and virtually said his presence out there helped the Roosters to victory.

Newcastle fought gallantly with skipper Danny Buderus and five-eighth Jarrod Mullen on the sidelines and as much as Fittler will try to divert the attention to his players, all the kudos will be given to Fittler as a new coaching star is born.

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