Brad Fittler’s battle to keep the NSW Blues job continues to rage – and he’s lost a key ally with long-standing adviser and mate Greg Alexander stepping back from his Origin role.
Speaking on his morning radio show, Alexander explained that his race was run as a coaching assistant, with this year set to be his last under the current regime as he looks to concentrate on his broadcasting career with Fox and SEN.
“I spoke to Freddy last week and told him 2023 would be my final year,” he said.
“My time is done. After six years, I’ve got to say fantastic years, it’s over for me.
“We didn’t talk about who might do that role (as a successor). But after six years, and I’ve got to say six fantastic years, up and down, but that’s Origin, the rollercoaster, seductive as it is, to have another go.
“I’ve just decided that that’s enough. It’s been a massive part of my life for six years. But it’s a big commitment, and I’ve committed elsewhere.”
Fittler himself remains very committed to continuing in the job and has been building a case to carry on – with, according to reports in Newscorp papers, Ivan Cleary as a consultant.
The Penrith supremo was in the coaches’ box for the final match of 2023, the only game that NSW won, and the expectation is that he would fulfil a similar role in the future, assisting on gameday while concentrating on Panthers duties the rest of the time.
There is as yet no news on the rest of the coaching staff. Paul McGregor, Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus were the other members, and are expected to go around again next year should Fittler be retained by the NSWRL.
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