- Rugby league personality previously played for Penrith
- I wanted to join in the celebrations with the NRL grand final winning team
- I caught up with Fox after an embarrassing interaction the last time they spoke
Former Penrith star Brad Fittler has been involved in another embarrassing exchange with Australian Olympics star Jessica Fox on live television after Penrith’s grand final victory.
The Panthers held on to beat the Melbourne Storm 14-6 in a tense decider, recording their fourth consecutive NRL title in the process.
Fittler was given the task of interviewing the players after the match, but disappeared from the broadcast, only to appear in the Penrith sheds, where he offered Fox a beer and earned a withering reaction from the gold medalist.
Fittler made headlines with a recent interview with Olympic Jess and her Olympic gold medalist sister Noemie, who are proud Penrith Panthers fans.
In that August segment, Fittler infamously asked for Kiss Cam to focus on the duo while they were on the sidelines during a Panthers game.
The embarrassing moment included a mortified reaction from the Foxes when Fittler persisted by asking, “Isn’t it happening?”
After the grand final, Fittler bumped into Jess Fox again in the sheds and awkwardly offered her a limited-edition Tooheys beer celebrating the Panthers’ fourth title.
Fittler offered the drink to Jess Fox and said, “Four in a row.” It says it in the beer. They have earned it. Jess, can you accept that? You can keep that.’
Fittler had another awkward encounter with Olympic gold medal winner Jess Fox (pictured) in her second embarrassing TV moment this year.
The Penrith legend disappeared from Nine’s broadcast and appeared enjoying a beer with Liam Martin (pictured) when he was supposed to be interviewing players on camera.
Fox seemed surprised and bewildered before declining the offer, saying, “Um, no, no.”
Fittler attempted to recover by saying he couldn’t drink the beer because “I’m still working” before asking, “Did you have a good night?”
‘Amazing. “It’s special to be here and celebrate and yes, it’s wonderful for Penrith and excited for the whole team,” Fox responded.
Fittler then asked: “Is Penrith pumping or what?”
‘Absolutely. “I can’t imagine what the situation is like right now,” Fox said.
Fittler then concluded the awkward interaction by saying goodbye to Fox and moving on to Penrith striker Moses Leota: ‘It’s nice to see you. Here we go. Let’s grab Moses. Moses. Wow! How are you? Congratulations.’
Nine presenter James Bracey told viewers the Penrith legend had gone AWOL when the team returned to the dressing room after the trophy presentation.
‘We have been wondering where Freddy is to do the interview. Look at it! He doesn’t have a microphone in his hand, he has a beer. I changed the microphone for a Tooheys. Biting Liam’s ear,” Bracey said.
Nicknamed ‘Freddy’, the 52-year-old played 119 games for the Panthers, including the team’s 1991 premiership win, before moving to the Sydney Roosters for the remainder of his playing career.
Since retiring, Fittler has worked as a coach for the Roosters and New South Wales State of Origin and has been a regular on Channel Nine, often providing color from the flanks and in the sheds.