Footy fans criticize Channel Nine for airing ‘propaganda’ for struggling Blues coach Brad Fittler: ‘The pre-game stuff is like a eulogy for him’
Rugby League fans decried Channel Nine’s pre-game coverage of the State of Origin final as a ‘praise’ for Brad Fittler, bordering on ‘propaganda’.
The New South Wales coach made seven changes to the team that lost Origin II as the Blues try to avoid a series of whitewashes at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Blues have lost three of the last four series under Fittler, whose reign in charge of New South Wales could come to an end if the Maroons complete a series sweep for the first time since 2010.
But the 51-year-old cut a surprisingly relaxed figure as he walked onto the pitch with Phil Gould during Nine’s pre-match coverage.
The tone of the conversation between the two did not go down well with Blues fans, especially as Gould commented that the beleaguered Fittler had ‘done a really good job’ at New South Wales’ head.
Brad Fittler is under pressure after losing three series in four years leading the Blues
Follow MailSport on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@mailsport
“Channel Nine pre-game plays like a Brad Fittler eulogy,” tweeted Julian O’Brien, the director of communications and media for the NBL’s Sydney Kings.
His position was echoed by several other viewers, one of whom noted that the segment was akin to “propaganda” for the current Blues boss.
“Gould just said to Fittler, ‘You did a good job,'” another fan tweeted.
‘In what way has he done well? He lost the Origin, played cook in the centres, pathetic coaching.’
Some viewers also wondered why Nine’s coverage failed to mention that Origin III could be Fittler’s last game in charge.
“What’s with the Brad Fittler PR c**p? It’s his last game under his wing. Think it might be worth mentioning that,” he said.
Another fan, meanwhile, suggested that Gould’s praise was akin to a coach under pressure receiving the dreaded vote of confidence from the board.
“This exposé by Nine on Brad Fittler equates to a coach standing behind the board,” the tweet read.
Julian O’Brien, the director of communications and media for the NBL’s Sydney Kings, described Channel Nine’s pre-game coverage as eulogy for Fittler
Some fans joked that Phil Gould’s praise for Twitter was akin to a coach getting the backing of the board while under pressure.
A disgruntled viewer compared the coverage to ‘Brad Fittler propaganda’
Fans wondered why Nine didn’t mention that Fittler could lose his job at the end of the series
Another viewer wondered why Nine’s coverage praised Fittler for ‘doing a good job’
For his part, Fittler insisted that he was confident the Blues could finish a difficult run at a high level.
“I must say that every preparation has been good,” he said.
The second game eluded us, but I feel that every preparation has been good. This has been no different.
“Obviously the circumstances have been different, but I feel they know what to do better than we did in the first two games.”
Follow MailSport on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@mailsport