Fittler to bring Johns, Gould to Blues

Andrew Johns and Phil Gould want to join Brad Fittler on the NSW State of Origin staff if he is appointed as the Blues’ new head coach next month.

Fittler is one of four candidates for the role who will be interviewed in the next fortnight, before the NSW Rugby League make a likely announcement at the next board meeting on November 24.

Already considered the front-runner for the job ahead of rumoured candidates David Furner, John Cartwright and Michael Maguire, Fittler on Wednesday revealed he would bring arguably NSW’s best ever coach and player with him if he was given the position.

“Staff would be part of the discussion, and there are people like Gus and Joey that I’ve spoken to that would love to be a part of NSW going forward,” Fittler said.

Fittler also vowed to use his links and experience from former NSW Origin coaches to help return success to the state if appointed.

“I’ve got a relationship with every coach who has coached NSW going back to Ron Willey (in 1986),” Fittler said.

“John Peard was after that and I’m a good mate of his through the Roosters.

“Every other coach I’ve been coached by or have been part of their organisation. Being part of all that, being able to grab a little bit of everyone would be a nice result.”

The return of Fittler alongside Gould and Johns was a prospect NSWRL chairman George Peponis admitted would be enticing.

“It’s a good proposition, but as I said we will make that decision,” Peponis said.

“We will sit down and chat to Freddie and others over the next couple of weeks.

“He’s played State of Origin, he’s been an NRL coach, he’s also been part of our development program with the under-16s, under-18s and under-20s.

“So he ticks a lot of boxes. But that is a decision that will be made over the next couple of weeks.”

Fittler was on hand to help unveil the Blues’ centre of excellence at Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday.

In a bizarre presentation, he was quizzed in front of the media by NSWRL chief operating officer Stuart Clark about his desire for the top job and his coaching philosophy.

But despite it appearing as a clear sign Fittler would take the top job, Peponis insisted he was there only as a former player and that his organisation wouldn’t be rushed on a decision.

“It’s not as if we’re appointing an NRL coach who has to assemble his team and start pre-season training next week,” he said.

“So he’s not under that pressure, we’re not under that pressure.

“I’m not saying that Freddie isn’t (the right person), but if someone has put their hand up and is well credentialed, you owe him the courtesy to at least have a chat to him.”

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