The 24-year-old Southern United central defender was sidelined for the majority of last season through injuries, but his perseverance is now paying off.
He has been the standout defender in a tough old season for Southern United.
While the team has won just one of its 10 games and is dead last in the ASB Premiership, the Caversham defender has been firm at the back.
In addition to defusing goal scoring opportunities, he is a big threat during corner kicks and has scored one of the team's six goals this season.
"I've suffered a lot of injuries over the past few years, so it's good to feel good and the body is doing the job,'' Fitzpatrick said.
"Last year, I had a medial ligament strain and missed the first half of the season. I came back and had another foot injury. Last season was tough injury wise, I also had an abductor strain [hip] I was playing through.''
But not even Fitzpatrick could stop the team from slumping to its seventh consecutive loss in the ASB Premiership last weekend, when it was hammered 6-0 by Waitakere United in Auckland.
It was the team's worst performance of the season, which Fitzpatrick is determined to turn around against Wellington at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow.
"We have always kind of been in the games before that, we've always had a chance,'' he said.
"It was really disappointing, because we were holding our heads up quite high before that.''
The match is likely to feature the return of former Southern United captain Tom Jackson, who left the team to play for Wellington at the end of last season.
He could come up against his younger brother, Lewis, who started up front for Southern United last week.
Fitzpatrick, a physical education student at the University of Otago, is also looking forward to the prospect of defending Jackson.
The two played a few seasons together for Caversham in the past.
Southern United has been dealt a blow ahead of the match, stand-out midfielder Harley Rodeka having been ruled out with a back injury he picked up last weekend.
Striker Josh Stewart is still out with an ankle injury, while Shawn O'Brien (hip) and Tom Connor (work commitments) are also unavailable.
Tomorrow's match is the penultimate home game for Southern United, and the start of a tough stretch to finish the season.
Not including next weekend's game against Wellington Phoenix, three of the team's last four games are against top-three teams (Wellington, Auckland City and Canterbury United).
Southern v Wellington
FB Stadium, tomorrow, 2pm
Southern United: Tom Batty, Ross Howard, Jude Fitzpatrick, Jack Caunter, Seamus Ryder (captain), Andrew Ridden, Sam French, Lewis Jackson, Zane Green, Stu Kelly, Alex Williams, Michael Hogan, Regan Coldicott, David Hayman, Morgan Day, Ben O'Farrell.
Wellington (probable): Scott Basalaj, Steven Gulley, Anthony Hobbs, Bill Robertson, Chris Bale, Leonardo Villa, Cole Peverley, Tom Jackson, Luis Corrales, Mario Barcia, Andrew Bevin, Alex Feneridis, Magno Viera, Ben Harris, Fergus Neil, Saul Halpin, Alex Carr.
