Fittler to replicate Perth success in Adelaide
Brad Fittler is confident the city of Adelaide will respond to State of Origin in the same positive manner the people of Perth did.
There were 59,721 people who packed out Optus Stadium to watch one of the most dominant NSW wins of the decade, following a week in Perth where the locals bought into the foreign concept of State of Origin.
The Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues will battle Queensland at the famous Adelaide Oval to open the 2020 State of Origin series next year and just like Perth, they will bunker down in the city for a majority of the camp. NSW will be hoping not just to replicate the almost flawless performance in Perth this year but to also grow the game of Rugby League.
“It’s very similar to Perth really,” Fittler said to NSWRL.com.au.
“It’s a place where people know what Rugby League is, there’s an understanding of Rugby League, there’s an excitement of Rugby League.
“But also, we can build our support around Rugby League as well; you only have to pick up a newspaper to see how heavily they’re involved with AFL and their love for that game.
“I have so much faith that it’s going to be very similar to Perth. People understood what was happening, people knew when it was coming so already there’s an anticipation.”
29 top grade have been played at Adelaide Oval since 1991, with the Roosters v Storm clash being an annual fixture there since 2017.
It was in that game where various members of the current Blues squad dominated; Josh Addo-Carr scored a double, Blake Ferguson and Latrell Mitchell scored tries, and Mitchell Pearce kicked the match-winning field goal in golden point. Not to mention that NSW hopeful Luke Keary set up a number of those tries.
The ground has so much history in cricket and AFL and Fittler is keen to create his own slice of history through the NSW Blues.
“It’s an awesome venue,” Fittler said.
“It’s a little bit more open to weather, if the weather ends up like Perth you’ve got one end that’s pretty much open.
“The history around the ground is incredible, you come through the dressing sheds you see the people’s names that have scored centuries, it’s awesome.”
Earlier in the week, Fittler was due to appear at Adelaide Oval to help launch the 2020 State of Origin series.
Heavy winds put a halt to those plans, and he, along with other NSWRL staff were stuck on the tarmac for hours.
When asked what the challenges of Adelaide Oval will be, Fittler couldn’t help make light of the situation.
“Well one is going to be flying there because our flights were delayed by hours … so weather,” Fittler said with a smile.