SYDNEY: Under-siege Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler has vowed to see out the season with the struggling NRL club despite reports that he was ready to throw in the towel.
After a week of soul-searching since last week's demoralising loss to Penrith, Fittler said there was renewed vigour within the
club to turn things around over the second half of the season.
The Roosters finished last year as one of the best six sides in the NRL, but are struggling near the foot of the ladder with just three wins from their opening 11 matches this year.
The poor run has left many questioning Fittler's future at the club, with reports surfacing this week of a stand-off between the coach and some senior players. But the former test skipper has vowed to reunite the club.
"There's no doubt morale is low, the spirit in which they're playing at the moment really shows where the morale of the club is at the moment," Fittler told the Nine Network's The Footy Show.
"Today was a really good day. We had a chat with the players looking at some things to go forward and they came to me and said I had their support.
"I'm going to see it through, no doubt. I still definitely enjoy it, it's one of the greatest challenges you could imagine."
Fittler is believed to be keen to secure a new deal at the club for next year and beyond, but admits his job security will be determined by wins and losses.
"I'm a realist. If it doesn't get better and there's no improvement, it's up to the board, they've got to run a club," Fittler said.
After a heated team meeting at the start of the week as staff and players mulled the 48-6 thumping by the Panthers, Fittler said he had been buoyed by the players' support.
"They said I had their support, we looked at different ways that I could change and that I could make it a better environment for them to play better," he said.
"That's my job when it comes down to it, to try to create that environment and at the moment it's not there."
The Roosters have the bye this weekend before a daunting trip to reigning premiers Manly in round 13.
- AAP
