May 4th, 2018

May 4th, 2018

New South Wales Blues coach Brad Fittler has raised eyebrows with his selections for the 2018 NRL Hall of Fame, notably omitting Gordon Tallis.

While Fittler did admit that Tallis would “go close”, the Queensland legend was left out.

Fittler’s first pick was his former captain at the Penrith Panthers, Greg Alexander, who finished with 275 NRL games under his belt.

“His impact on our team, on Penrith, he was such a great player,” he said.

(AAP) Photo: AAP

“I think he should have played more representative football.”

Fittler played 119 games for the Panthers from 1989 to 1995 and his second selection was also another one of his former teammates, Royce Simmons.

The 46-year-old picked former NSW teammate Danny Buderus as his third player, while describing him as his “partner in crime”.

Current Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart also got a spot in Fittler’s six, with Fittler describing him as “a great competitor”.

(Nine) Photo: Nine

“I saw him have some huge bearings on games over in England at Kangaroo tours,” he said.

Fittler also showed respect to Manly great Steve Menzies, highlighting his ability to be elite on both sides of the game, and called him a “superstar”.

“One of the best parts of his game was his defence,” he said.

“No one ever talks about his defence because he scored so many tries.”

The former Roosters legend rounded out his picks by choosing former Knights prop Paul Harragon.