State of Origin 2021 news: Brad Fittler’s new Blues deal revealed

He lost the unlosable series against the “worst Queensland team ever”, but Brad Fittler’s Blues future has been guaranteed by the people that matter most.

Brad Fittler has been guaranteed his job even if he loses back-to-back series. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

Brad Fittler has been guaranteed a contract extension, even if the Blues lose this year’s series.

Despite losing the ‘unlosable’ series to the Maroons last year, Fittler was recently given a verbal assurance he would be in charge of the Blues until at least the end of 2022.

He won two series before losing to Wayne Bennett’s ‘worst team in 40 years’ last season.

NSW Rugby league chief executive Dave Trodden confirmed the appointment on Monday when asked by The Daily Telegraph if the Blues legend was under pressure to retain his job.

“Freddy loves his job and he’s keen to continue,” Trodden said.

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“The board has been really pleased with what he contributes not just with Origin but everything he does for the NSWRL all year around.

“This has already been discussed by our board that he’ll be coaching until at least the end of next year.

“Freddy has already reached an understanding that he’ll be going around again, irrespective of the result in this year’s series.”

It will be a difficult series for Fittler considering the Maroons have the home ground advantage for the first two games for the first time in Origin history following the rescheduling of the game to Townsville.

Brad Fittler will get a new deal with the Blues regardless of the result this year. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty

“We think he’s the right person moving forward,” Trodden said, “He’s held in high regard by all the players and officials throughout the game.”

Fittler does much charity work for the NSW Blues throughout the footy season.

However there was much debate at the end of last season about Fittler and his advisor Greg Alexander picking the wrong side for the third and deciding game.

He copped huge criticism for not choosing game breaking Melbourne Storm utility Ryan Papenhuyzen, at least on the bench for NSW.

Brad Fittler has been guaranteed his job even if he loses back-to-back series. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

Fittler impressed Blues powerbrokers with his reaction to last year’s shock loss to the Maroons.

He made no excuses and accepted full responsibility for the team’s performances from the opening game of the series when the Blues threw away what appeared a certain victory in Adelaide in game one.

“We lost and I didn’t handle a lot of things well,” Fittler conceded, “The easiest thing is to bring it back to yourself, which I’ve done.

“It’s all about fixing those issues this year.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2021 news: Brad Fittler’s new Blues deal revealed