Fitzgibbon keeps rolling forward
July 10th 2008 09:40
Craig Fitzgibbon has been rewarded for a stellar season
Back when Craig Fitzgibbon was just a little baby boy, legendary Raiders player Bradley Clyde was winning premierships and enhancing his aura as one of Rugby League's finest locks.
Sharks legend Andrew Ettinghausen was scoring tries at will, all the while little Fitzy was at home watching these crazy legends play football.
Now that little bit older, Fitzgibbon has realised a career mirroring that of his idols.
There was nothing in the end anyone could say or do to change Fitzgibbon's destiny. A destiny which has seen him bust his vocal cords in celebration of a Grand Final victory back in 2002 and Origin series victories in 2003,2004 and 2005.
But Fitzgibbon is never one to put his hands up for glory. The Sydney Roosters captain has always been willing to knuckle down for the cause, no matter the chaos he, or his team-mates are under.
Never quite the one to bend over, the Dapto product has never abused his time at a club he has spent the last nine seasons at.
Although not one to appear in a Rolling Stone cover, Fitzgibbon has gone triple platinum in a time where many thought his best was behind him.
After experiencing the tragedies of losing four Grand Finals in 1999,00,03 and 2004, Fitzgibbon re-invented himself and has re-discovered the venom that has made him one of the more volatile forwards in season 2008.
While the confidence at the Roosters was dangling after Brad Fitter's retirement, Fitzgibbon hanged on, neither too worried or angry about the lean times his club was experiencing.
Despite suffering one of the clubs most humiliating losses ( a 56-0 drubbing against Manly),Fitzgibbon refused to conceal a closet full of hope and enthusiasm for one of the NRL's most consistent forwards.
After admitting going through hell under Chris Anderson's guidance in 2007, Fitzgibbon developed a way to keep steady and in the process, add persistence to an otherwise ailing year.
As subliminal as he is, Fitzgibbon intended on simonising his form to unparallel heights.
And when league legend Freddy Fitter took over as head coach at the Roosters, the impulse in his game rose to a new level.
The forest of disappointment was now over and Fitzgibbon regained the material that has now seen him witness a rebirth to both his representative career and a chance of winning another Premiership.
At present, Fitzy's mind is focused at the task on hand.
With his future at the Roosters secure until the end of 2009, Fitzgibbon keeps dreaming of one day standing alongside the likes of Clyde and Ettinghausen as one of the games true greats.
The way things seem now, Fitzgibbon should not even shrink at the idea of joining elite company.
His achievements in rugby league outweigh many who have played the game.
The man has won a Clive Churchill medal as best a field in a Grand Final and also won the representative player of the year award in 2004.
Not to mention he is the highest point scoring forward Rugby League has witnessed with over 1000 points for the Roosters alone.
Add to that 11 Origin appearances for NSW and 15 tests for Australia and one can see why Fitzgibbon can stake a reasonable claim for league immortality.
While his ratings in terms of popularity do not come in deuce with the likes of Sonny Bill Williams and Benji Marshall, Fitzgibbon has never been one to argue through his time as both a Roosters and league icon.
The announcement that came with winning another contract at the NRL's oldest club has left Fitzgibbon bouncing in form and enthusiasm.
Now breathing in a new lease of life, Fitzgibbon believes his time as one of the NRL's best forwards will continue to grow.
The one individual that is always eager to play, Fitzgibbon is now ready to seep a new chapter in a life worthy of remembrance.
Despite the aches that have been suffered, Fitzgibbon has never looked back and is now pushing forward at a club that has yielded success for one of the true tough men of League.
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