Brad Fittler, a Channel Nine commentator and former great, has been accused of misogyny during a heated interview with Jessica and Noemie Fox prior to the Penrith Panthers’ game against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Just weeks after dominating the Olympics with three gold medals each in the canoe slalom, the sisters, who are diehard Panthers fans, have been heavily involved in the three-time reigning premiers’ preparations for their clash with the Rabbitohs, visiting the team earlier this week for some advice.
According to Nine, which broadcasts both the Olympics and the NRL, the Foxes were once again front and centre during the television network’s pre-match coverage at BlueBet Stadium; nevertheless, Fittler’s actions has dominated debate.
“I just wanted the Kiss Cam to come on!” Fittler joked, and the elder Fox turned aside, appearing uncomfortable.
“On me,” he instantly said. “It’s not happening.”
“I just wanted the Kiss Cam to come on!” Fittler joked, and the elder Fox turned aside, appearing uncomfortable.
“On me,” he instantly said. “It’s not happening.”
“Had to go and check my calendar to see what year it is,” one user said, while another added the comment’made me cringe’.
Greatest players, Fittler, 52, played 336 games for the Panthers and Roosters from 1989 to 2004, winning premierships in 1991 and 2002, the latter as Roosters captain.
He also made 31 State of Origin matches for NSW, and at 18 years and 114 days, he is still the Blues’ youngest ever player; he also won three Rugby League World Cups for Australia in 1992, 1995, and 2000, the last two as captain.
Later transitioning to coaching and media work for Channel 9, he enjoyed a successful term as head coach of the Roosters from 2007 to 2009, before moving on to coach NSW from 2018 to 2023, winning three of his first four series.
However, his career was not without controversy; in 2009, when coaching the Roosters, he fined himself $10,000 after being cited to police by two ladies as a ‘creepy man’ for attempting to enter their room while drunk.
The Fox sisters have become Australian icons thanks to their appearances at the Paris Olympics, with 30-year-old Jessica defending her Olympic C1 canoe slalom gold medal and winning the K1 event for the first time, and 27-year-old Noemie winning gold in the first Olympic kayak cross event.
