Rugby league legends Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns have been inducted into the Sydney Olympic Park Hall of Fame, joining the inaugural class of 10 athletes recognised at a gala event marking 25 years since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
The Hall of Fame has been established to celebrate the greatest sporting figures who have delivered iconic moments at Stadium Australia and across Sydney Olympic Park.
Its launch is designed to leave an everlasting footprint at the precinct, ensuring the memories of world-class performances and inspirational athletes are preserved for generations.
Fittler and Johns were honoured alongside Olympic stars Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe, Paralympic champions Louise Sauvage and Tim Sullivan, football heroes John Aloisi and Mark Schwarzer, and rugby union icons John Eales and Jonny Wilkinson.
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The event was staged in front of more than 400 guests at Accor Stadium, complete with a 25-piece orchestra and a nostalgic reprise of Nikki Webster performing “Under the Southern Skies” from the 2000 Opening Ceremony.
Venues NSW chairman David Gallop said the Hall of Fame is more than a celebration of individual achievement, describing it as a tribute to the collective effort of New South Wales and the enduring legacy of a venue that has hosted Olympic Games, World Cups, Grand Finals, and global concerts.
Future Hall of Fame inductions are already scheduled, with new classes to be announced in 2027, 2029, and 2031, ensuring the list of sporting greats will continue to grow.
For rugby league fans, however, the spotlight shone on Fittler and Johns, two icons whose achievements and history at Stadium Australia make them worthy first-year inductees.
Brad Fittler, a premiership winner with both the Panthers and Roosters, captained Australia in the first ever rugby league Test at the stadium, before lifting the NRL Premiership trophy for the Roosters at the ground in 2002.
Named the world’s best player in 2000, Fittler was a mainstay for New South Wales and Australia, with 336 NRL games, 31 State of Origin appearances, and 38 Tests, cementing his place as one of the sport’s greatest leaders.
Andrew Johns was part of the Newcastle side that played the very first NRL match at the venue in 1999, defeating Manly 41-18, and later lifted the premiership trophy for the Knights there in 2001 after upsetting Parramatta in a famous grand final.
He also produced one of the most dominant State of Origin performances ever seen at Stadium Australia in 2005, guiding New South Wales to a 2-1 series win with a masterclass that still resonates in rugby league folklore.
Johns retired with 23 Origins, 24 Tests, three Dally M Medals, and the rare honour of being named an Immortal, recognised as one of the most influential players the game has produced all whilst being a one club player for his hometown of Newcastle.
Fittler and Johns were also a deadly duo playing alongside each other both for New South Wales and Australia, where their combination thrilled fans and delivered victories on the game’s biggest stages.
Their induction into the Sydney Olympic Park Hall of Fame is a fitting acknowledgement of the way they not only shaped rugby league but also created unforgettable moments in the history of Stadium Australia as some of the countries greatest athletes.