Brad Fittler has made an unfortunate commentary faux pas describing a North Queensland Cowboys player during their game against the Rabbitohs on Sunday.
The Cowboys claimed a 30-18 win in Townsville to solidify a spot inside the top eight as coach Todd Payten looks to sign a contract extension.
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During the second half, the Cowboys played the ball inside their own 10 metre line and worked the ball through the hands to Cowboys centre Tom Chester, who dummied and used his speed to make a line break.
Chester dashed down the field and just had to pass to teammate Zac Laybutt for an easy try, but he got caught in two minds of how to get past Rabbitohs fullback Matt Dufty.
He tried to step past Dufty but threw a tough pass inside to Laybutt, but the bouncing ball was knocked on by Jaxon Purdue, and the chance for a length of the field try went begging.
“Chester the Molester, he’s blown it,” Fittler said on Channel 9 in reaction to the bombed try, which you can see in the video below.
Over on Kayo Sports, commentator Andrew Voss called the moment: “Chester throws a pass which was horrible. Oh Tommy. No one chasing was going to get you.
“You only had Dufty in front. You had to draw and pass. Todd Payten saying how did that go wrong? He just had to pass. Chester went too far.”
Viewers were quick to pick on Fittler’s faux pas as it did the rounds on social media.
“Did Freddy just call him Chester the Molester?” one viewer wrote.
“Yeah not sure it’s appropriate to be calling a player “Chester the molester” on live TV, Freddy,” a second commented.
Another said: “There’s no way Fred Fittler just called him Chester the Molester.”
According to Code Sports, Fittler contacted a Cowboys official to apologise for his choice of words, and the apology was passed on to Chester.
It’s not the first time Fittler has come under fire for a comment on air. In 2024 he was criticised for an awkward interview with Olympic champion sisters Jess and Noemie Fox at a Penrith Panthers game.
“I’m just waiting for kiss cam to come on … on me,” Fittler told viewers as he stood between the Fox sisters. “It’s not happening.”
The Cowboys sit sixth on the ladder and with eight victories, only Penrith and the New Zealand Warriors have won more games to far this season.
Chester had a strong game for the Cowboys, scoring a try in the first half and making some crucial tackles including a trysaving effort on Souths winger Alex Johnston in the corner.
