THERE’S a burning question for every South Sydney fan leading into the 2015 NRL season, which kicks off tonight with the Rabbitohs’ season opening clash against Brisbane - can they go back-to-back?
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If former Sydney Roosters, NSW and Australian star Brad Fittler’s word is anything to go by, then yes, they can.
“They’ve lost their best player, but yeah I think they can,” Fittler, affectionately known as Freddie, said.
“All eyes are on South Sydney, and how they manage this season. There’s plenty of chat around how Glenn Stewart will go too, and how he’ll fit the mould.
“If they can get the best out of Glenn Stewart then I think we’ll see a much different game (from the Rabbitohs), but just as effective.”
Fittler roared into town yesterday alongside fellow former NRL and State of Origin stars Nathan Hindmarsh, Matt Cooper and Josh Perry, along with former NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert and rugby league player turned race car driver Jack Elsegood.
Orange was the 17th leg of the sextet’s tour across rural NSW for the Hogs For The Homeless charity ride, in which the former stars raise much needed funds for Father Riley’s Youth Off The Streets - a charity based around helping youths who are homeless, drug dependant or recovering from abuse.
They were on hand yesterday at Orange’s junior rugby league sign on day at Wade Park to run several clinics and skills sessions, along with sign anything and everything on offer from the bumper crowd.
“It’s great out here (in Orange),” Fittler said.
“We’ve had some beautiful rides and beautiful weather. We’ve just come out of Millthorpe (Public) School actually, tiny little school there with about 100 kids.
“It was brilliant. They got the chance to ask some questions, and you get some different ones. (They had) a disco (last night), and they (gave) all the proceeds to the charity, which is great."
In 2014 the tour raised $130,000, a target Fittler says he is hoping this year’s group will eclipse, partly thanks to last night’s fundraising dinner at Duntryleague Golf Club, at which a 2014 NSW State of Origin jersey was auctioned.
“I think we can, we’re doing pretty well already,” Fittler said.
Fittler and co will head to Capital Harley Davidson on Peisley Street this morning, before heading to Oberon and then to Parramatta Stadium tomorrow to finish the tour.