19:16, September 16, 202519:16, September 16, 2025

Fittler and Johns inducted into Stadium Australia Hall of Fame

Rugby league icons Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have been honored with induction into the Stadium Australia Hall of Fame.

This recognition took place during a gala event commemorating 25 years since the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, held on Monday night. Johns and Fittler were among the initial ten figures to receive this prestigious accolade.

The inaugural inductees were selected from various sports that have attracted over 35 million attendees since the venue's inception in 1999.

Other notable inductees include John Aloisi (football), John Eales (rugby), Cathy Freeman (athletics), Louise Sauvage (athletics), Mark Schwarzer (football), Tim Sullivan (athletics), Ian Thorpe (swimming), and Jonny Wilkinson (rugby).

Known as 'Joey,' Johns was part of the Newcastle team that triumphed over Manly 41-18 during the first NRL match held at Stadium Australia on March 6, 1999, where he scored a try, six goals, and a field goal. That same season, he participated in the first Test and the inaugural Origin game at the venue. By this time, he was recognized as one of the premier halfbacks in the league, having led the Knights to a grand final victory in 1997. Over the next seven seasons, Johns delivered countless remarkable performances, several of which took place at Stadium Australia. In 2012, his exceptional career earned him the title of the game's eighth Immortal. Johns received three Dally M medals, awarded to the NRL's best player (in 1998, 1999, and 2002), the Clive Churchill Medal in 2001 when he guided Newcastle to a 30-24 win against favored Parramatta in the grand final, two Golden Boots as the world's best player, and four State of Origin player-of-the-match awards, three of which were won at Stadium Australia. Despite suffering a broken jaw early in 2005, he made a comeback for Origin II in Sydney, contributing to all five NSW tries in a 32-22 victory. Unfortunately, a neck injury led to his early retirement in 2007. A year later, Johns was named the halfback in Australian rugby league's Team of the Century.