Daniel Fitzhenry (born December 8, 1979 in Macksville, New South Wales) is an Australian rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is in the centres. December 8 is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... Macksville is a small town in New South Wales, Australia, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, with a population of around 3,000. ... Rugby league football (often shortened to rugby league) is a full-contact team sport played with a prolate spheroid-shaped ball by two teams of thirteen on a rectangular grass field. ... The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football team in the National Rugby League (NRL), the premier rugby league football competition in Australasia. ... The National Rugby League (NRL) is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. ... A typical rugby league team consists of thirteen players on the field plus four substitutes on the bench. ...

Career highlights

• Junior Club: Dorrigo & Nambucca Heads
• First Grade Debut: Round 14, Wests Tigers v Penrith at Leichhardt Oval, June 15, 2002
• First Grade Record: 106 appearances scoring 40 tries
• Career Highlight: Wests Tigers Leading Tryscorer; Scoring a blistering individual try in the 2005 NRL Grand Final, leading the Tigers to a memorable victory.
• Preferred Position: Wing / Centre / Five-Eight

Career History

Daniel Fitzhenry made his NRL debut with the Wests Tigers in Round 14 2002 against the Penrith Panthers at Leichhardt Oval after coming through the Joint Venture's ranks with the Western Suburbs Magpies. Daniel has played in more positions at the club than any other player. Making his debut at Centre, Daniel played at Fullback for several games in 2002. His versatility has seen him also play off the bench, as Hooker and once as Halfback (2004 against The Bulldogs). Controversially, Daniel has played at 5/8th in many games from the club from 2002 to 2006. His halves pairing with Lincoln Withers in 2004 has some success, but also drew much criticism from fans. Injury to the club's first choice player Benji Marshall has seen Daniel used as a make-shift Five Eighth.

Daniel's most successful position has been on the Wing. Initially Daniel was placed under much pressure in the position with many oppositions clubs targeting his defensive weaknesses, including his shifting defence and a perceived inability to catch bombs. However Daniel improved over several seasons with his defence becoming solid and his darting abilities crucial to the club's attacking style of play.

As a result, Daniel has scored many entertaining long range solo tries, most notably in 2004 in the World 7's against St George Illawarra Dragons, the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in 2005, the Cronulla Sharks at Toyota Park in 2006 and against the Penrith Panthers at CUA Stadium in 2007.

Daniel holds the record for the most tries scored by a player at the Wests Tigers.

Signature Moves

In adition to his pace and athleticism, "The Fitz" is best known for his two-guns-drawn double handed point salute, which typically follows a particularly amazing try. For a prime example, see the aforementioned individual try in the 2005 NRL Grand Final.

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Fan Support

An FWO member with the official FWO Banner and one of the first FWO shirts featuring the FWO logo

Daniel has been supported by an avid group of fans since his debute. Among the most supportive are a group that has, over time, come to believe that he is a true rugby league legend. The fans formed a group known as the "FWO" or "Fitzhenry (Fitzy) World Order". Initially persecuted by other fans, the FWO grew in numbers and continued to support Daniel even through his tough times. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Shirts, Banners, Stickers; all were made to support Daniel on his quest to reach his true place as a Rugby League Immortal.

Some of the banners made include: "King Fitzy", "Fitzy World Order" and "Blitzy Fitzy". Most of these baners have attracted the attention of television cameras at NRL games, further promoting the World Order.

Daniel and his family have always supported his fans. He has been quoted several times on the topic of the FWO:

It is not just with his team-mates Fitzhenry is a popular figure. He even has a cult following amongst some of the Wests Tigers Fanatics members,who proudly display a FWO banner – Fitzy World Order. “They must be struggling for players if they are supporting me,’’ he said, laughing. “No, it is good to have some sort of support. They have FWO stickers and t-shirts now as well. “I own a FWO t-shirt. Last year when we played the Raiders, after we warmed up, I ran into the tunnel and they threw me a shirt over the fence. “My kids don’t understand what the FWO is. But I will join them up when they are old enough.’’ [1]

Many of Daniel's team mates often proudly boast that they too are members of the FWO.

Of course i want a fwo shirt. I've always been on the fitzy bandwagon

—Dene Halatau Dene La Halatau (born January 27, 1983 in Invercargill, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. ...

I've still got my fwo shirt. I am the president of the fwo

—Benji Marshall Benji Marshall Benji Marshall (born February 25, 1985 in Whakatane, New Zealand) is a rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the Australian National Rugby League competition. ...

Career Playing Statistics (as at 1st June 2007)

External links

• Daniel Fitzhenry NRL Profile
• Daniel Fitzhenry Wests Tigers Profile
• Official Daniel Fitzhenry Playing Statistics

References

• Cousins, Wayne. "FITZY REACHES 100 GAMES FOR WESTS TIGERS", Wests Tigers. Retrieved on 2007-6-1.