National Rugby League Fitzgibbon began his playing career for the
Illawarra Steelers in 1998. In his first season, he was the Steelers' top point-scorer and was named rookie of the year. Following the Steelers' joint-venture with
St. George, he played for the joint-venture club
St. George Illawarra Dragons. Fitzgibbon played from the bench in the
1999 NRL Grand Final, scoring the first try in St. George Illawarra's 20–18 loss. Fitzgibbon subsequently transferred to the
Sydney Roosters in 2000. He played at second-row forward and scored a try in the Roosters'
2000 NRL Grand Final loss to the
Brisbane Broncos. Eventually, Fitzgibbon won a premiership with the Roosters, playing at second-row forward in their
2002 NRL grand final victory over the
New Zealand Warriors and winning the
Clive Churchill Medal for his best-on-ground performance. Having won the
2002 NRL Premiership, the
Sydney Roosters travelled to England to play the
2003 World Club Challenge against
Super League champions,
St Helens R.F.C. Fitzgibbon played at second-row forward, scoring a
try and kicking nine goals in Sydney's victory. In the
2003 NRL grand final Fitzgibbon played in the second row and was the Roosters' goal-kicker in their loss to the
Penrith Panthers. After that he was selected to go on the
2003 Kangaroo tour. Fitzgibbon played for the Roosters at second-row forward in their
2004 NRL grand final loss to cross-Sydney rivals,
Canterbury-Bankstown. Fitzgibbon was selected in the Australian team to go and compete in the end of season
2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against
Great Britain he played from the interchange bench and kicked two goals in the Kangaroos' 44–4 victory. In 2006, Fitzgibbon succeeded
Luke Ricketson as captain of the
Sydney Roosters. On 12 August 2006, he became the highest scoring forward in premiership history, surpassing ex-
Canberra Raiders back-rower
David Furner. Fitzgibbon passed the previous record of 1218 points by converting winger Sam Perrett's third try in the 64th minute after beginning the match four points behind the Canberra forward. In August 2008, Fitzgibbon was named in the
preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the
2008 Rugby League World Cup, and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man
Australia squad. On 16 May 2009 it was announced that Craig had signed a one-year deal, with the option of a second year, with
Super League side
Hull F.C. for the 2010 season.
Super League Craig Fitzgibbon was selected for the
Exiles squad for the
International Origin match against
England at
Headingley on 10 June 2011. On 3 September 2011 Fitzgibbon suffered a fracture and ligament damage to his ankle and announced his retirement at the age of 34. On the 26 September announced he would return to the
Sydney Roosters in 2012 as a part of its Coaching Staff.
Highlights • Played in the 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 & 2004 Grand Finals (scored 3 tries & kicked 9 goals for 30 points) • Won the
Clive Churchill Medal in the 2002 Grand Final • Played 8 games for New South Wales 2003–2005 (scored one try & kicked 16 goals for 36 points) • Played 15 games for Australia 2002–2005 (scored 3 tries & kicked 39 goals for 90 points) • Played 4 games for Country vs. City 2002, 2004, 2005 & 2006 • Craig Fitzgibbon is the highest point scoring
forward (1560 points) • Has played 239 first grade games (scored 39 tries & kicked 700 goals for 1560 Points) • Has kicked over 600 goals for the Sydney Roosters • One of the last remaining
Illawarra Steelers players (Along with
Trent Barrett and
Luke Patten) ==Coaching career==