Brad Fittler has gone viral for all the wrong reasons after calling an NRL star ‘Chester the molester’ during Channel Nine’s coverage of the Souths vs North Queensland match on Sunday afternoon.
The footy legend made the remark when Cowboys star Tom Chester made a break in the 50th minute of the game but bombed what should have been a try when he failed to pass the ball to a teammate.
‘Chester the molester, he’s blown it,’ Fittler said in the seconds after the 25-year-old’s mistake.
Vision of the incident spread quickly online as fans vented their anger and disbelief at the former Kangaroos skipper’s outburst.
‘Seriously @NRLonNine you guys are a disgrace letting this idiot Brad Fittler behind a microphone. @nthqldcowboys you should put in a complaint against what Fittler just said. @NRL need to get involved as well,’ one wrote.
‘Brad Fittler calling Tom Chester, “Chester The Molester” on live, national TV, is probably further proof that just because someone was ok at kicking a footy, doesn’t mean they deserve or warrant a media position that has a decent amount of influence. Disgraceful. But, ‘boys will be boys’ or whatever,’ another commenter said.
Footy icon turned Channel Nine star Brad Fittler has outraged fans by calling Cowboys star Tom Chester ‘Chester the molester’ during match coverage on Sunday
Chester (pictured left) had just bombed a try in his team’s win over Souths when Fittler made the remark
‘Freddy was an amazing player (and I’m a Queenslander) but he sucks as a commentator,’ added a third.
Other comments included ‘Brad Fittler be better’ and ‘Disgusting’.
Fittler reportedly contacted Cowboys officials after the match to apologise, and the club will not be pursuing the matter.
Chester was one of the best players on the ground as the Cowboys ran out 30-18 winners, scoring a try in the 34th minute.
It’s not the first time the league icon known as ‘Freddy’ has got into trouble while commentating for Nine.
In August 2024 he was slammed for an inappropriate remark made while interviewing Paris Olympics gold medallists Jess and Noemie Fox on the sideline at an NRL match.
The 54-year-old was standing between the sisters when he said, ‘I’m waiting for the kiss cam to come on for me.’
The cringeworthy moment included a mortified reaction from the Foxes as Fittler persisted by asking, ‘Not happening?’
The league great apologised to the Cowboys after the match (Tom Chester is pictured with partner Ashlyn Stevenson)
It’s not the first time ‘Freddy’ has been in hot water for what he’s said on Nine
After the grand final later that year, Fittler ran into Jess Fox again in the sheds, awkwardly offering her a limited-edition Tooheys beer that celebrated the Panthers’ fourth straight premiership.
Fittler offered Jess Fox the drink and said: ‘Four in a row. Says it on the beer. They’ve earned it. Jess, can you take that? You can have that.’
Fox looked shocked and taken aback before refusing the offer by saying, ‘Um, nah, nah.’
Channel Nine has been contacted for comment.
Fittler has been a long-standing member of the Nine commentary team since calling time on his playing career at the end of the 2004 season.
He played 336 matches for the Panthers and Roosters, starred for NSW in 31 State of Origin games, captaining the side for many of those, and represented his country 38 times, also rising to become skipper of the Kangaroos side.
Fitter won the 1991 grand final with Penrith and the 2002 premiership with the Tricolours, before also turning to coaching.
He led the Roosters from 2007 to 2009, and coached the Blues in Origin in 18 games from 2018 to 2023.
