As a long suffering fan, the reminders have been all too clear. In fact, I’m beginning to view the club’s premiership drought in the 80s and 90s as a sensational success given this year’s endless run of scandals.

Nate Myles and “Poo Gate”.  Jake Friend and Sandor Earl’s fight in an inner-Sydney nightclub. And who could forget Brad Fittler’s drunken episode outside a Townsville hotel room earlier this month.

Cumulative result? Wooden Spoon.

So when news came through this weekend that one of Bondi Junction’s favourite sons would be relieved of his coaching duties next season, I couldn’t help but recall an interview I conducted with Fittler a few years back.

In 2002, when the tri-colours won their first premiership since 1975, things were very different.

Fittler, arguably one of the greatest five-eights the game has ever seen, was at the peak of his powers.

And then came a question regarding what he would do when retirement eventually came knocking.

“To tell you the truth mate, I don’t like too much on my plate”.

With those words, “Freddy” essentially revealed a flaw which would in time, contribute to his dismissal.

At the end of the day, as great a player he was, his inability to multi-task would prove his downfall. He was a man who played the game in 3D but coached in one dimension.

From losing control of the dressing room to losing self-control, it’s been a Nightmare on Freddy Street.

Fittler of course argued he didn’t have the autonomy to instigate change. That may be true but as he also rightly pointed out at his press conference; “I'm an inexperienced coach ... (but) the buck stops with you so you need to run the show.”

Perhaps the saddest element of the whole saga was that others within the club knew of his impending sacking before he did.

Certainly Fittler’s body language towards the club’s chief executive, Steve Noyce indicated he wasn’t impressed. But then again, neither have the fans been with the side's performance.

There certainly won’t be too much on Fittler’s plate when departing Newcastle Knights coach Brian Smith takes the reigns next season.

This die hard supporter is hoping there will be a lot more in the Roosters’ trophy cabinet.