‘F**king hilarious’: Brad Fittler roasted over Reece Robson commentary call

One of the most controversial calls of former NSW coach Brad Fittler has come back to bite the Blues legend in the commentary box.

Freddy has backed Madge after shifting Robson to centre. Photo: Getty Images

Even in the commentary box, Brad Fittler isn’t safe from fans.

For the first time in six years, the former NSW coach, who walked away at the end of last season after being offered a one-year deal and pay cut to stay in the role, was in the commentary box for an Origin match on Channel 9.

But one of his most controversial decisions has come back to bite him after a throwaway line in commentary.

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After Joseph Sua’ali’i was sensationally sent off just seven minutes into the opening match of the series eventually won 38-10 by the Maroons, NSW were badly exposed down the right-hand the 20-year-old youngster would have been defending.

Having conceded twice down the right to blow the score out to 20-6, Fittler said it appeared there was confusion in the Blues ranks as they scrambled to work out their roles in the 12-man defensive line.

“What they’re not doing, they’re not coming up with something steady,” Fittler said. “They need to be able to find some synchronicity between each other.

“They’ve got Reece Robson there at the moment. He makes more sense, a bit more speed. Here we go, make their tackles and they’ll be right.”

Reece Robson was huge for the Blues. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

As he said that, Queensland knocked the ball on about 35m out from the NSW line.

But fans were quick to catch on and take a shot at Fittler over a decision he made as coach in game two last year.

In that game, Robson was given his debut with Damien Cook coming off the bench.

Unfortunately a pectoral injury to Tom Trbojevic in the early exchanges saw Fittler thrust Cook into the unfamiliar centre position.

At the time, the decision was labelled “completely unfair”, while a tidal wave of criticism swamped Fittler over the call.

And footy fans proved they have long memories.

One fan tweeted: “F**king hilarious that Freddy is on commentary calling for Reece Robson to move to the centres!”

Another added: “At least if Freddy was coaching NSW would put Reece Robson in the centres.”

A third joked: “It’s not too late for Damian Cook to come running out of the crowd to play fullback …”

Plenty more were scrambling for the same joke: “If only Damien Cook were available to play right centre.”

Brad Fittler learned NRL fans have long memories. Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Robson was just playing a role for a short time it seemed as the Blues stemmed the flow of bleeding down the edge.

He ended up making a game-high 50 tackles for the game and although it appeared to blunt his offensive output with just five runs for 40m, the Cowboys rake earned praised from Blues fans.

One tackle was a try saver in the second half when he made a last-ditch effort to stop Jeremiah Nanai from scoring a certain try.

Fox Sports’ Niko Pajarillo commented: “Reece Robson has been brilliant tonight. So tough. NSW hooker for the next 5 years.”

Another fan wrote: “Reece Robson has to be our MotM.”

Another added: “Robson in a beaten side absolutely immense.”

Current NSW coach Michael Maguire said it had been difficult for the Blues to settle after the early bombshell rocked the side.

But at half-time, Phil Gould suggested the issue was that NSW reacted poorly to the send off.

“They came into this game without a replacement for the backs, the replacement for a centre going down was Hudson playing on the left and Crichton on the right,” Gould said.

“They should have done that and instigated it straight away. Down to 12 men, they went there late in the half and all of a sudden things close up little better.”

Originally published as ‘F**king hilarious’: Brad Fittler roasted over Reece Robson commentary call