Ryan Fitzgerald
Ryan Fitzgerald | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 16, 1976 Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Radio host, television presenter, comedian, former professional Australian rules footballer |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Co-hosting Fitzy and Wippa on Nova 96.9, contestant on Big Brother Australia 2004, AFL career with Sydney Swans and Adelaide Crows |
Ryan James Fitzgerald (born 16 October 1976) is an Australian media figure known for his work as a radio host, television presenter, comedian, and former professional Australian rules footballer. Originating from the South Adelaide Football Club, he entered the Australian Football League with the Sydney Swans in 2000 before being traded to the Adelaide Crows, where he participated in eight matches during the 2002 season. Fitzgerald broadened his media career following his appearance on Big Brother Australia 2004 and his involvement with Channel 10’s AFL program Before The Game.
Early life
Fitzgerald completed his schooling at Wirreanda High School and played junior football representing Port Noarlunga.
AFL career: 2000–2002
Standing as a tall forward, Fitzgerald was picked fourth overall in the 1998 AFL Draft by the Sydney Swans, recruited from SANFL’s South Adelaide. His debut was postponed due to a shoulder injury, but he eventually made his first appearance in 2000, scoring five goals in that match and playing a total of ten games that year. A knee injury early in 2001 necessitated reconstruction surgery, causing him to miss the entire season. In 2002, he was traded to the Adelaide Crows, where he took part in eight games before retiring after sustaining another ACL injury that required surgery.
Television and radio career
Fitzgerald has featured on numerous Australian television programs such as The Project, Studio 10, Before The Game, Reality Check, All Star Family Feud, The Front Bar, and Hughesy, We Have a Problem.
His initial rise to prominence came as a contestant on Big Brother Australia in 2004, where he finished in fourth place. Subsequently, he co-hosted the breakfast show on Adelaide’s Nova 91.9 and made occasional appearances on Before The Game (AFL). In 2005, Fitzgerald co-hosted the Friday night program Friday Night Live connected to Big Brother (Australian TV series), which later evolved into its own series titled Friday Night Games in 2006. This show transformed into Friday Night Download, focusing on internet video clips but was cancelled early during its second season.
In October 2010, Fitzgerald shifted from Nova 91.9’s breakfast slot to co-host Nova’s drive-time show Fitzy and Wippa alongside Michael Wipfli (known as Wippa). The program subsequently moved to the Sydney breakfast timeslot on Nova 96.9, where it received a nomination at the 2011 Australian Commercial Radio Awards for best on-air team in the metro FM category.
He is a frequent participant in the annual E. J. Whitten Legends Game. In addition to his presenting roles, Fitzgerald made his acting debut in 2012 by appearing in episode seven of the Nine Network drama series House Husbands.
In 2016, Fitzgerald and Wipfli expanded their television presence by co-hosting the Nine Network countdown program 20 to 1. He also regularly features on The Front Bar, often filling in for regular panellists such as Mick Molloy or Sam Pang.