It will be a great way for Brad to finish his representative career

ARL chief executive Geoff Carr

Fittler celebrates after beating New Zealand in a one-off Test in July

There is nothing worse than seeing a sporting legend fade from view rather than going out with a bang.

And the Sydney Roosters ace no doubt intends to go out on a high by steering his country to victory in the Ashes series.

Success over Great Britain would be a fitting way to round off a career that already includes three World Cup triumphs - two as captain - and numerous domestic accolades.

He has few equals and, what is more, remains modest to the core.

Fittler, who is equally effective at centre, stand-off or loose-forward, was earmarked for greatness at an early age.

Enormous talent

He was still a schoolboy when he made his first grade debut for Penrith in 1989.

And just a year later he was selected to play for New South Wales in the State of Origin matches against Queensland.

At just 18 years and 247 days, he became the youngest player to line up for Australia - and has remained a firm fixture ever since.

But it wasn't just his enormous talent - his neat sidestep and spiralling kicks in particular - that marked Fittler down as a player of great stature.

His leadership qualities were undisputed, too. Cool, calm and collected, he is ideal captaincy material.

Fittler's spiralling kicks have given defences all sorts of problems

Australian selectors certainly thought so when they were seeking a successor to the legendary Mal Meninga.

If proof was needed of Fittler's ability to handle extreme pressure, it came just under a year ago.

Australia were tipped to win the World Cup at a canter and seemingly only had to turn up on British shores to retain their crown.

It was a heavy burden for everyone in the Australian camp to bear, but especially so for Fittler.

"We've had a load of pressure on us throughout the tournament and I feel like the world is off my shoulders," he said after his side's win over New Zealand in the final at Old Trafford.

The search is now on for a successor - and Fittler's boots will take some filling.