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The thought of giving Brad Fittler complete control of an NRL league team at one time would have been the equivalent of handing a lunatic the keys to the asylum.
The former premiership winning captain has, by his own admission, a colourful history growing up as one of
league's hottest properties.
The youngest player ever to pull on a NSW Origin or Australian test jumper, Fittler struggled with discipline early in his career.
Drugs, beer and parties punctuated his youth - he was jailed in Mexico on one occasion and has an illegitimate son he has never met.
His wild side became public knowledge in 1999 when an intoxicated and almost unconscious Fittler was dropped outside Glebe police station by a taxi driver.
But that was the old Fittler, or rather the young Freddy.
And much like Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting, Fittler has turned his life around to become a true leader of impeccable principles.
He is now married with two young children.
And more importantly, he has discovered his life after football actually is football.
He admits to being drawn to coaching and in just six short weeks as Roosters caretaker coach he led the struggling club to four wins, one draw and a loss.
A little over a month ago the proud club seemed destined for the wooden spoon. Now, they remain in finals contention with two weeks to go in the season.
He has an amazing aura. The players respect him and the fans simply adore him.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis, who made Fittler the highest paid league player when he recruited him from Penrith in 1996, calls Fittler a "legend" and says he's matured "dramatically" in recent years.
"I won't go on with the things that used to happen in the old days," said Politis.
"But he is a really great person and he has turned his life around on and off the field and made a major contribution to the club.
"He is a juggernaut, you can see his popularity with the fans, he is more popular than the players themselves.
"There's an aura about him that the players relate to.
"His simplicity ... he is very genuine and he treats them with respect and therefore gets respect back from the players.
"He is a winner. He's got something about him - and has had all his life."
His early coach and continued mentor, Phil Gould, once described him as a "wild child".
But after watching Fittler orchestrate the Roosters' memorable triumph over ladder leader Melbourne four weeks ago, Gould could not hold back on his excitement.
"I've always had great confidence that 'Freddy' would be successful at anything he turned his mind to," said Gould.
"If he truly wants to be a coach, he'll be a bloody good one."
Fittler too recognises how much things have changed.
"I might not have been honest when I was younger but I've turned into an honest person," said Fittler.
Honest, charismatic and unashamedly cheeky. Fittler is a breath of fresh air to the NRL coaching ranks.
As his Roosters battled to a 31-all draw with the Warriors a few weeks ago, Fittler grinned his way through the contest and calmly ate a muffin.
His unflappable demeanour is a huge difference from the expletive-laden outbursts heard from some coaches during games.
As a player, he used to struggle talking to the media and often shied away from public events.
Public speaking, as with many people, was one of his greatest fears.
Now, he can talk happily and openly with the media - sharing laughs and cracking jokes with ease.
Fittler doesn't know how long his coaching will last but he is determined to make a success of his next career move.
"It's just one of those jobs you get really drawn to it, it's just a great job," he said.
"[But] we haven't lost four in a row and coaches always say that's your biggest challenge and that's when you see if you really like coaching and if it's your go."
- AAP