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Fitzroy amateur in Lions' sights

10.30 pm Thursday 17th May 2012

Toby Hudson-Bevege might have only just commenced his amateur VAFA career, but his young football journey with Fitzroy FC has proven enough to catch the Brisbane Lions’ attention. He is the latest player to be identified as part of the Club’s Fitzroy player sponsorship program - an initiative introduced last year by long-time Fitzroy and Brisbane Lions supporter Peter Hille and the Reds Foundation with an aim to raise much-needed funds for the local club.

Hudson-Bevege, who has previously been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fitzroy in 2010 and 2011, replaces journeyman Patrick O’Connor as the Lions’ 2012 sponsored player.

The recently-turned 20 year-old is a true ‘Royboy’ after spending a couple of seasons with the Fitzroy juniors, before working his way up to the U19s side, and now eventually graduating to the senior team this year. He has also spent the past two seasons doing extra fitness and recovery sessions as a dedicated member of the Reds Foundation Development Squad.

In 2010, he played a key role in Fitzroy’s U19 Premiership which elevated them into the Premier Division (where they remain), and was promptly made Vice-Captain the following year. The running half-forward’s ability during his final season at U19 level was such that he was called upon to play seniors on four occasions. Now he finds himself a permanent member of that side.

Only last week, Toby was named among the best players in Fitzroy’s Round 4 VAFA win over Banyule, despite being substituted just after half-time due to concussion. Hudson-Bevege was thrilled to hear the news of his sponsorship from the Brisbane Lions. “I’m really excited and proud to be sponsored by an AFL club that is still so tightly connected to Fitzroy,” he said. “It’s always a great feeling to wear the Fitzroy jumper on Brunswick Street Oval, given the rich history behind the club.” “The fans who head out to the games are fantastic as well. I see the same faces week-in week-out, with many taking the time to shake your hand and get to know you.”

With no AFL football scheduled in Melbourne this Saturday afternoon, Victorian-based Lions fans are encouraged to head down to the Brunswick Street Oval at 2pm to watch Toby - and his team-mates - play Mazenod in Round 5 of the VAFA Premier C Division.

Fitzroy FC are currently in 6th place on the ladder with two wins from four matches, and will be hoping to push towards the top four this Saturday’s when they face 9th placed Mazenod, who are fresh from a strong win over PEGS. The season might still be early, but Hudson-Bevege said he and the team have some pretty clear goals for 2012. “My main goal for the season is to simply maintain my spot in the senior side, and to do everything I can to help the team make, and have an impact in, the Finals.” “We only narrowly missed out last year, but have recruited well over the off-season and are hoping to be in the top four come September.”

The Brisbane Lions will be further acknowledging their history on Saturday 23 June when the Club hosts its inaugural Hall of Fame at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.

Fitzroy downs Banyule in solid win.

9.00 pm Wednesday 16th May 2012

def.

This weekend was Round 4 and we had mixed results - wins for the Seniors, Reserves and Thirds and losses for the U19s and Club XVIII. This coming Saturday has the second luncheon for the season with past Fitzroy play Ross Thornton the guest speaker - bookings close this Wednesday.

Seniors

The Seniors took on 3rd placed Banyule in windy and cold conditions at R.J Brockwell Park, Heidelberg. The wind made the conditions difficult as it was swirling and not favouring on particular end. The Seniors lead by 2 goals at the end of the first quarter and maintained that lead at half time, lead by 3 goals at the last break and then put the foot down to finish 6 goals in front. Final score was Fitzroy 14.9.93 to Banyule 9.9.63. The goals were shared by the team by the forward line who found the goals with Luke Ablett, Will Pickering and James McGee all kicking 3 each and they were supported by Rory Angiolella 2 and one each to Nathan Jumeau, Sam Baker and Matthew Kyroussis playing his first Senior game. Best for the day were John Clark, Matthew Kyroussis, Jack Simcoe, Rory Angiolella, Toby Hudson-Bevege and Dom Pound-Palmieri who was playing his first Senior game. The win moves the Seniors into 6th place. This Saturday, 19 May the Seniors will be back home at Brunswick Street Oval to play Mazenod who are in 9th place.

Reserves

The Reserves took on 6th placed Banyule and won by 56 points. The first quarter was close with one goal separating them, the Reserves lead by 3 goals at half time and didn’t look back from there. Final scores were Fitzroy 14.16.100 to Banyule 6.6.42. Goals were shared around with 8 goal kickers with Scott Cations and Dima Kynigopoulos both kicking 3, Antony Harbor and Michael Racovalis 2 each and one each to Martyn Beacham, Jack Beech, Ryan Ewing and Drew Olarenshaw. Best were Cailean Moore, Antony Harbor, Jesse Dimond, Pat O’Connor, Jack Beech and Tom Biscaro. The Reserves are 4-0 and hold their place in 2nd which is only percentage behind Monash Blues. This week they take on 5th placed Mazenod at Brunswick Street Oval.

Thirds

The Thirds took on 7th place (only 8 teams in the Premier C Thirds competition) Marcellin OC at home, Brunswick Street Oval. In windy conditions the Thirds were down by 9 points at quarter time and had a 3 goal lead at half time. A strong third quarter by Marcellin saw the lead drop back to 4 points at the last change. The Thirds took advantage of the wind and pilled on 8 goals for the quarter finishing 17.15.119 to Marcellin 10.8.68. The goal kickers were Shelly Fulton 4, 2 each to Chris Wills, Alex Johnson, Dylan Temple, James Cowan-Clark, and 1 each Keith McKenzie, Max Oliver, James Pitts, Chris Krousoratis and Trent Coleman. Best players were Chris Krousoratis, Chris Wills, Gary McCarthy, Trion Paleologou, Dylan Temple and Seb Fuentes. The Thirds are 4-0, top of the ladder and this week the Thirds take on 3rd placed Old Camberwell (3-1) at Gordon Barnard Oval, Camberwell.

Under 19s

The U19s took on 4th placed University Blues at Brunswick Street Oval. The U19s worked hard all day and at the last break they were 4 goals down kicking into the wind. Looking for their first win of the season they unfortunately lost by 10 points – Fitzroy 14-10-94to University Blues 15-14-104. Goals were shared amongst the players with Eamon Scott leading the way with 4 and was supported by Dylan Leech 3, Harrison Simcoe 2 and 1 each to Nick Gibbons, Josh Sawyer, Nathan Ligris, Tom Harris and Aiden Fry. Best players were Kai Menzies, Dylan Leech, Dylan Patcas, Dougal McAllister, Aiden Tregillis and Josh Sawyer The U19s are in 9th place and will be taking on 6th placed Old Scotch at Camberwell Sports Grounds this Saturday at 2pm.

Club XVIII

The Club XVIII took on 10th place Prahran Assumption (there are 12 teams in Club XVIII (1) competition) at Ramsden Street Reserve. The first quarter was close with 1 goal separating them but Prahran Assumption took advantage of the wind and never looked back. Final score was Fitzroy 3.5.23 to Prahran Assumption 22.12.144. Goal kickers were Rusty Bulmer, Jake Farrell and Tim Wilson. Best for the day were Jamie MacKay, Craig Hart, Andy Shears, Rusty Bulmer, Eli Barnes and Valuk Talwar. The loss puts the Clubbies into 10th place and this week they take on 2nd placed Old Melburnians at Albert Park, Oval 1.

Your next stop on the Amazing Race - the Fitzroy President's Lunch.

11.00 am Wednesday 9th May 2012

The Directors of the Fitzroy Football Club, incorporating the Fitzroy Reds, invite all Fitzroy Members & Supporters, Reds Foundation Members and Fitzroy Past Players & Officials to the President's Luncheon before Fitzroy's home game against Mazenod on May 19th, at 11.30 am for 12 noon.

Ross Thornton (pictured left in his playing days) will be the Fitzroy Football Club's special guest at the second Fitzroy President's Luncheon before Fitzroy's home game against Mazenod on May 19th.

The Club's 1984 best and fairest winner, former vice captain and 146 game player Ross Thornton will be one of the Victorians trying to win the new series of Amazing Race Australia. Thornton has taken on the TV challenge with daughter Tarryn, a Victorian state basketballer. Thepair will be one of four teams from Victoria racing around the world in the Channel 7 series.

A buffet two - course meal will be served.

Cost per head is $40.00 and drinks are at bar prices. Please complete and send off the attached booking slip to the Club to reserve your booking.

Final luncheon numbers must be confirmed by WEDNESDAY 16 May. Numbers are limited. This will be a sell out function so BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment!

Download the booking form from here.

Royboys keep their old proud club flag flying

6.00 pm Thursday 26th April 2012
as reported in the Melbourne Times Weekly 24th April 2012

FITZROY Football Club was one of the most loved teams in VFL/AFL history. Hundreds of thousands mourned as it merged with the Brisbane Bears in 1996 after years of financial struggles and poor on-field results.

However, few may know that the club lives on. While its football operations left the suburb it had called home for 113 years, Fitzroy Football Club Ltd came out of administration in 1998 and began exploring its options.

In December 2008 it incorporated Victorian Amateur Football Association club Fitzroy Reds and, in 2009, began playing in VAFA division 1. Now playing in premier C, Fitzroy is hoping it can deliver the results that will let it advance to premier A soon.

Fitzroy has a new coach this year, Michael Pickering, a former Richmond and Melbourne player, and a new captain in Rory Angiolella, who is aiming for the finals. “We had a very up and down season last year,” Angiolella says. “We didn’t make the finals but for a long time there was only one game separating everyone from fourth down to eighth. Our pre-season will put us in good stead. It’s been good, a lot tougher than last year. We’re looking pretty fit.” The pre-season included a weekend camp at Anglesea, where players ran with large car tyres and heavy logs, and did push-ups and sit-ups in the water.

Fitzroy won practice matches against Bendigo Football League club Castlemaine and D1 club North Old Boys. After a practice match against VAFA premier B club AJAX, which was promoted after winning the 2011 division C premiership, Fitzroy’s season proper began with a gritty game against Parkdale on March 21, losing by just five points.

Angiolella says one of the best aspects of playing at Fitzroy has been the way the players have remained together. He has played for Fitzroy since the under 10s, playing alongside friends from Princes Hill Primary School. That year they went through the season undefeated, winning the premiership with Pickering as coach. They also won the A grade flag in the under 17s, and now many of them are still playing in the senior team. “We’ve been knocking around together for 10–12 years,” Angiolella says. “Everyone knows each other and their games really well. “I’m actually feeling very positive about this season. Everyone is a lot fitter and more tight-knit than last year and we’ve had some new recruits to get excited about as well.”

DANIEL PAPROTH
MELBOURNE TIMES WEEKLY

Old Lion to Roar

9.00 am Sunday 22nd April 2012

Former Fitzroy best and fairest winner Ross Thornton (pictured left with daughter Tarryn) will be one of the Victorians trying to win the new series of Amazing Race Australia. Thornton has taken on the TV challenge with daughter Tarryn, a Victorian state basketballer. The fit pair will be one of four teams from Victoria racing around the world in the Channel 7 series.

Thornton, now 55, originally arrived at the Fitzroy Football Club in 1975 but was unable to make the seniors so joined VFA club Prahran. He returned to Fitzroy in 1980, making his senior debut in Round 3 against North Melbourne and became a regular fixture in their defence for the rest of the decade, usually occupying a back pocket from where he liked to run the ball up the ground.

He was Fitzroy's vice captain for three years and won the club's best and fairest in 1984. He played 146 games with the Lions from 1980-89. He captained Fitzroy on twelve occasions for six wins with the climax of his career coming when he led Fitzroy out onto Waverley for the 1986 elimination final against Essendon in 1986, which the club won by a point in a famous victory.

"They certainly don't come any sweeter than that, even given the conditions we played in. I guess having worked that hard, to know that we'd got through was fantastic."

Thornton played alongside his long time team-mates Leon Harris, Michael Conlan, Mark Scott and Graham Osborne in the 1989 reserves premiership team.

"Just to be on the MCG on the last Saturday in September was just a great feeling in itself. To go away and know that you've been part of a premiership, albiet a seconds flag, was a fantastic feeling."

When he retired in 1989, Thornton was awarded life membership of Fitzroy. After a stint as captain coach of Prahran, he returned to Fitzroy as reserves and assistant coach and team manager, until the club's exit from the AFL in 1996.

"When I played footy it was all about winning. Second best was not good enough," he said. "I'm 55 now, still fit and only a couple of kilos heavier than my playing weight. I want to prove I've still got it." he said about his participation in the TV series.

Channel 7 is preparing to launch the second series of the hit show next month.

Ross Thornton will also be appearing at the second Fitzroy President's Luncheon before Fitzroy's home game against Mazenod on May 19th.

Reds Foundation Golf Day gets in full swing!

11.00 pm Friday 30th March 2012

Last Monday (March 26th) up to 45 participants took part in the "Reds Foundation Golf Day" at the Latrobe Golf Club in Alphington. In what was a great day to be out on the golf course it proved to be a hit for all those involved.

In 2012 the Reds Foundation - One of Fitzroy's major sponsors will be embarking on many different projects to help the club including the development squad which allows a select amount of players aged 18-23 to take part in extra training, securing player sponsorship, business sponsorships and will be taking part in a history project - focusing on incorporating more of the Univeristy/Fitzroy Reds histories to the Fitzroy story.

The Reds Foundation has also launched a community partnership with the Bendigo Bank Clifton Hill North Fitzroy Community Bank assisting them in supporting local youth through sport.

The results from Monday's Golf Day Are:

Winners: Fitzroy players John Clark (L) and James O’Reilly (R) with a net score of 62.5 (pictured left)

Runners Up: Fitzroy reserves Coach, Bruce Edwards and Pat Faulkner with a net score of 64

Longest drive: Mark Lyndon (APS Benefits)

Nearest the Pin: Leo Dynes (Reds Foundation) and Bendigo Bank Regional Manager Ashdon Capp

Clubhouse Cash: Shona MacInnes (Reds Foundation)

Meet Fitzroy's latest recruit!

5.00 pm Monday 19th March 2012

Jonathan Brown isn’t one of them unfortunately – however, the Fitzroy Football Club has signed a lot of new recruits over the off-season which adds to our extensive list seasoned Fitzroy players and has a new senior coach in former Richmond and Melbourne player Michael Pickering.

After a long and hard pre-season this Sunday, March 25th Fitzroy has its first pre-season hitout against Bendigo Football League (BFL) team Castlemaine at Victoria Park. This is will be a good test for the Roys as they prepare for another season in the VAFA Premier C competition with the club aiming to play finals.

The VAFA Premier C season officially starts on Saturday April 21 with Fitzroy playing away to the recently promoted D1 team Parkdale Vultures with our first Senior home game at Brunswick Street Oval being on Saturday April 28 against Marcelin. Fitzroy will not only be playing in VAFA Premier C this season but the club will be fielding five teams amongst different VAFA divisions – Seniors, Reserves, Under 19’s, Club XXIV and our new Thirds team giving people plenty of chances to watch and even play in our famous jumper at the historic Brunswick Street Oval.

While self-described “Mad Fitzroy Supporter” Jonathan Brown may be out injured and keen to get back to playing for the Brisbane Lions by Round 3 this season – we do think he looks very comfortable in a Fitzroy jumper! Could you just imagine the big guy playing up forward at Brunswick Street Oval!

But with our current batch of great talent, Fitzroy is in for an exciting 2012 season and we encourage all old Fitzroy die-hards, fans, locals, anyone to get on down to Brunswick Street this year and cheer us on!

Talk about Fitzroy's prospects for Season 2012 here.

They don't make 'em like that anymore.

10.00 pm Sunday 18th March 2012

THEY don't make AFL footballers like Darren Wheildon anymore - or if they do, the sports scientists tip them down the laboratory drain before we get the chance to enjoy them.

The Doc was a cult figure, sure, but he could seriously play; through six seasons, 70 games and 160 goals, he gave Fitzroy fans reason to cheer, to smile, to laugh out loud, to raise a can toward the winter sky. Wheildon didn't have a driver's licence, so would bum lifts, catch trams or walk. This displayed a maturity lacking in many footballers; there was no drink-driving, speeding or fender-bending on the Doc's rap sheet.

Game eves were spent sitting at home working his way through half a dozen stubbies and a pizza before stepping out the next afternoon and kicking six on Chris Langford or some other chicken-skin-peeling, uber-athlete. His excuses for missing training were legendary - after heading home to Moe rather than face a punishing session after a heavy defeat, he put not being able to phone in his absenteeism down to laryngitis. ''Why didn't you get your mum to call,'' asked coach Robert Shaw. ''She had an ear infection and couldn't hear a thing,'' responded the Doc.

Cut by the Lions at 23, he headed to West Adelaide, kept kicking goals and dodging training sessions, and was given a lifeline by Essendon in the 1995 draft.

One of the great Kevin Sheedy resurrection stories was scuppered when he was hit by a taxi outside a King Street nightclub.

Bloody taxis.

Peter Hanlon
The Sunday Age - Sunday 18th March

Talk about Doc Wheildon here

New Royboys for 2012!

10.00 pm Wednesday 14th March 2012

The Fitzroy Football Club (Incorporating the Fitzroy Reds) is delighted to reveal some of the new recruits joining our team for this season as we aim for a VAFA Premier C premiership and promotion to Premier B in the VAFA.

Featuring a mix of players from other VAFA Clubs, Suburban, Interstate and Country Leagues along with an AFL Premiership player it adds depth to our already expanding list of footballers playing at the famous Brunswick Street Oval.

 

The new Fitzroy players for 2012 include:

• Luke Ablett - Mulgrave FC (EFL)/Sydney Swans (AFL)
• Maxim Allen - University Blues (VAFA)
• Matt Brown - Wangaratta Rovers (Ovens & Murray FL/VCFL)
• Scott Cations - Macquarie University AFC (Sydney AFL)
• John Cousins - NEW
• Ryan Ewing - West Preston Lakeside FC (NFL)
• David Hastie - NEW
• Alex Johnson - NOBS (VAFA)
• Mark Knihinzkip - Milawa FC
• Matthew Kyroussis - Collegians (VAFA)
• Tim Monte - Powerhouse AFC (VAFA)
• Liam O'Donnell - Eltham Collegians (VAFA)
• Sebastian Poole - Ormond Junior FC (South Metro JFL)
• Micheal Racovalis - Seaford FC (Mornington Peninsula FL)
• Jared Shaw - North Bendigo FC (Heathcote FL /VCFL)

The Club welcomes these players to our club and look forward to seeing them playing for us this season. Along with our new signings the club also welcomes 15 new U19s players who have joined us from the Fitzroy Junior Football Club.

It's going to be an exciting 2012 ahead for us at Fitzroy along with our new coach Michael Pickering and the club fielding five teams across the VAFA - Seniors, Reserves, U19's, Club 18 and our new thirds team.

There's plenty of chances and no excuses to get on down to Brunswick Street and cheer the Roys!

Talk about Fitzroy's prospects for Season 2012 here.

Fitzroy gets social

6.00 pm Wednesday 1st February 2012

The Fitzroy Football Club (Inc. Fitzroy Reds) has joined the world of social networking with the club joining the world of Facebook - facebook.com/fitzroyfc and Twitter - @Fitzroy_FC along with the Clubs official website fitzroyfc.com.au allowing Roys members, fans and football fans in general to keep in touch and updated with all things happening at Brunswick Street Oval.

The club has big plans for our official social media platforms and its website including displaying all the latest club news,match day and membership information, photo galleries, live updates, updates from games in the VAFA and of course plenty of nostalgia from the Roys days in the VFL/AFL.

There once was a song by the Coodabeen Champions that claimed "Deep in our hearts everyone barracks for Fitzroy" and now the club is offering the chance to prove it by following us on Twitter and Liking us on Facebook. In fact, the club has embarked on a campaign via its new Twiter and Facebook pages to get more followers/likes than Carlton. Its a big ask with Carlton's Twitter page currently on 19,628 followers as of 9:00am 1/2/2012 and Fitzroy's on 205 followers as of 9am on 1/2/2012 but with enough awareness and persistence of the Roys target of beating the Blues in the Social Networking caper we will, as our theme song suggests, "...always fight for victory and always see it through!"

Since merging with the Fitzroy Reds Football Club in late 2008, returning to our home at Brunswick Street Oval and resuming fielding a team in the VAFA, the club is ready for another big season in 2012 in the VAFA's Premier C Division and is not only fielding a team now but will be fielding Five teams amongst various VAFA Teams a seniors, reserves, thirds, U19s and Club XVIII giving plenty of chances for Roys fans young and old to get on down to Brunswick Street and see the Royboys in action. While some AFL clubs may be facing huge debts and relying on AFL handouts, business is booming at Brunswick Street Oval.

For More Information Please contact:

Dylan Leach
Media & Communications - Fitzroy Football Club (Inc. Fitzroy Reds)
Mobile: 0404 970 293
media@fitzroyfc.com.au

Fitzroy's 2012 Draw released

8.00 pm Tuesday 13th December 2011

Fitzroy will open its 2012 campaign against the Parkdale Vultures on Saturday 21st April in Premier C at Parkdale.

The following week in Round 2, Fitzroy will host its first home game when they take on Marcellin at the Brunswick Streeet Oval.

In round 3, those Fitzroy fans that also follow the Brisbane Lions in the AFL, will have some choices to make as the AFL Lions meet Essendon at 1.40 pm at Etihad Stadium, while just across town, Fitzroy will make the journey out to Keilor Park to take on Old Essendon at 2 pm. The same happens on the weekend of June 23rd in Round 9 when Fitzroy take on the Hampton Rovers at Hampton and the AFL Lions take on the Western Bulldogs at Etihad at 2.10 pm.

Round 6 on Saturday May 26th provides the first opportunity for not only Fitzroy's Brisbane Lions fans to see both Fitzroy and the AFL Lions to play in Melbourne at seperate times, but also the opportunity for Brisbane Lions fans, especially those from interstate, to experience a Fitzroy game at the Club's traditional home ground. The Club invites all Brisbane Lions fans to come and see Fitzroy play Old Camberwell on Saturday afternoon before fronting up again on Sunday May 27th to watch the Lions take on North Melbourne in the AFL at Etihad Stadium.

The experience can be repeated on the weekend of June 16th-17th when Fitzroy host their 2009 Grand Final conquerors Rupertwood at the Brunswick Street Oval in Round 8 and Brisbane clash with Hawthorn at the MCG the next day on Sunday afternoon.

For those wishing to only have one day of their weekend taken up by watching football, Round 15 allows fans to travel to North Balwyn to watch the Roys take on Old Camberwell, this time away, at 2 pm and then back into the city to watch the Lions play Carlton at 7.40 pm at Etihad Stadium.

The Club hopes to see as many Fitzroy fans as possible at all their 2012 games and in particular in Round 6, Round 8 and Round 15. The Club extends a very cordial invitation to all Brisbane Lions fans making the journey to see their team play in the AFL from all parts of the country to come and see where it all began 128 years ago.

The Club hopes for a successful year culminating at the very least an appearance in the finals.

A full copy of Fitzroy's 2012 Premier C draw can be downloaded from here (PDF)

Talk about Fitzroy's prospects for Season 2012 here.

Another Fitzroy Junior taken in AFL draft

9.00 am Friday 25th November 2011

Former Fitzroy Junior Dylan Buckley has been taken at Pick #62 via the father- son rule for the Carlton Football Club in the AFL draft held on Thursday 24th November, following Viv Michie (Pick #44 Fremantle Dockers 2010) and Jasper McMillan-Pittard (Pick #16 Port Adelaide, 2009).

Dylan, the son of Carlton triple premiership champion Jim Buckley, will join the Blues in 2012 after agreeing to terms under the AFL’s father-son rule. The pressure of being a child prodigy is something that Buckley has managed to cope with well over the years. “I don’t want to be like my dad…obviously I would like to be as good as he was, but I think that we are different players.” Buckley conceded he contemplated accepting the Carlton number 16 Guernsey, made famous by his father in the late 70’s and 80’s, but decided instead to carve his own path, agreeing to wear the vacant number 7 made famous by current Carlton Coach Brett Ratten.

Dylan's father Jim, played 13 games against Fitzroy in a 164 game career for Carlton between 1976 and 1990, for nine wins, one draw and three losses, kicking nine goals.

Three years ago in 2008, Dylan Buckley lined up against fellow draftee Tom Mitchell in the Grand Final of the Yarra Junior Football League's under-15 competition - Mitchell for Ashburton and Buckley for Fitzroy. "My team got up and I still hold it over him, even today," Buckley says with a broad grin. "It is kind of [surreal] to be in this situation though. If you'd asked three years ago, I would have said that it was a long shot, but it's definitely something we've both been aiming for."

When asked about his junior days at the local level playing for Fitzroy in the Yarra Junior Football League, Buckley was quick to praise his junior coaches for his development and success. “I didn’t even know dad played footy when I was a real young kid, I just started playing because a I met a kid and he was like come down and play [at Fitzroy] and I was like yeah alright…It wasn’t until around U14 that I started to realise there could be something in this. I guess I always had great coaches that supported my development along the way…guys like Andrew Johnson”

The Fitzroy Football Club wishes Dylan Buckley all the best his AFL career in the future, playing for one of Fitzroy's oldest VFL-AFL inner city rivals- Carlton.

Fitzroy memorabilia display to open at Etihad Stadium

8.00 pm Monday 7th November 2011

The Fitzroy - Brisbane Lions Historical Society - in conjunction with the Brisbane Lions and Etihad Stadium - are set to reveal a new permanent home for the display of historic Fitzroy memorabilia in Melbourne.

The new showcase will be officially opened to the public on Wednesday 23rd November at Etihad Stadium and will permanently house the display which features a vast collection of Fitzroy artefacts - including seven of the eight VFL Premiership Cups (1898, 1899, 1904, 1905, 1913, 1916 and 1922) commissioned by the Historical Society.

Historical Society Custodian and former Fitzroy Football Club General Manager Arthur Wilson has been at the forefront of this project which has been supported by the Fitzroy Football Club, the Brisbane Lions AFC, the Fitzroy-Brisbane Lions Historical Society, the Fitzroy-Brisbane Lions Past Players & Officials Association and Etihad Stadium. It will feature a comprehensive collection of Fitzroy photos, trophies and membership materials - some of which are more than 100 years old

The grand opening of the new exhibition will be headlined by a number of special guests - including former Fitzroy greats Kevin Murray, Garry Wilson, Bernie Quinlan, John Murphy, Norm Brown, Bill Stephen and George Coates - who will be in attendance on the night.

Watch a montage of images from the opening night.

 

Welcoming our new coaches

5.00 pm Wednesday 2nd November 2011

The Board of Directors is happy to announce the coaching appointments for the 2012 season.

Joining Senior Coach Michael Pickering is Mark Murray in the Assistant Senior Coach position. Mark has played 320 VAFA Senior/U19 Game with De La Salle, Mazenod and one season with Hawthorn AFC. During Mark’s playing career he won three senior B&F at Mazenod, senior B&F Hawthorn AFC (first year back at 36 years of age) and is a Premiership player with Mazenod (C-Grade, B-Grade, U/19 Sect 2) and a two time Premiership player with De La Salle (A Res, U/19 Sect 1). The last three years Mark has been senior coach at Hawthorn AFC (D3) and for two years was Senior Coach Melbourne High (Premier B).

Returning to the senior coaching team are line coaches Simon Kelleher and Brett Pollard as well as fitness coach Steve Hurl who has worked out a gruelling pre-season training session that will commence during the second week of November. The Board wishes to express its thanks and gratitude to Paul Diacogiorgis and Anthony Corponi who were co-coaches of the Reserves in 2011 – a team that played in the 1st Semi Final. Both Paul and Anthony have advised that they wished to return to playing in 2012 and we wish them the best for the coming season.

After a successful year as Under 19 coach, Bruce Edwards has accepted the position of Reserves Coach. Bruce played junior football between 1975 and 1982 winning seven B&Fs and two league B&Fs. In 1982 Bruce captained the WA State U15 schoolboy team - Carnival held in Adelaide and made All Australian team. The following year he played U19 football for South Fremantle as a 16 year old and won a Premiership as well as Best 1st year player award. He also played in the U18 Teal cup carnival in Darwin for WA and again made the All Australian team. In 1984 as a 17 year old Bruce was contracted by the Melbourne Football Club playing in their U19s whilst playing in the U18 Teal cup carnival in Sydney for Victoria. During 1985 – 1987 Bruce played U19's and Reserve football for Melbourne FC and unfortunately retired in 1988 due to excessive hamstring injuries. During 2005 - 2008 Bruce held various roles on the Fitzroy Junior Football Club committee where his son was playing and between 2006 – 2010 coached U11, U12, U13, U14 and U15. In 2008 Bruce joined Fitzroy FC coaching our U19 North 2 side and returned in 2011 to coach our U19 Premier in their first year at this level with the team finish in sixth place.

We also have great pleasure in welcoming Damian Truslove to Fitzroy as the new U19 Premier Coach. Damian first experienced Amateur football playing schoolboys football for Assumption College. Damian played in 2002 with the Doutta Stars Football Club Div 1 Essendon & District League. In 2003 to 2006 Damian was a senior player with Mayne Tigers Football Club QAFL. In 2007 he was a senior player with Maryborough Football Club Bendigo League and in 2008 was a senior player and assistant coach with Manningham Cobras Football Club D4 VAFA. In 2010 Damain was head coach the Point Cook U18 Development team in the Division 1 Western Region Football League. In 2011 Damian was Senior Coach with West Brunswick FC, D3 in VAFA.

2012 Memberships now available

10.00 pm Thursday 20th October 2011

The Club wishes to inform all members and supporters that the 2012 membership renewals will be going out to all registered members shortly.

As in previous years, there are four categories of membership for the 2012 Season; viz,

- Ordinary Membership - $38
- Family Membership - $50
- Gold Lion Membership - $165
- Concessional Membership - $30 (see membership form for details)

Membership income is a major source of revenue for the Club and all supporters are encouraged to take out a membership for the 2012 Season.

All members receive a traditional Fitzroy Season's ticket with the Premier C fixture for the 2012 season on it.

Gold Lion members receive a traditional Fitzroy Gold Lion lapel badge, Club medallion and a free Fitzroy cap.

We are looking forward to a very successful season ahead in 2012. With new coach Michael Pickering at the helm of our rapidly improving senior list, our 128 year old Club will be looking to play finals in 2012 and advance into Premier B for the 2013 season.

A 2012 membership form for the Fitzroy Football Club can be downloaded from here or by clicking on the Fitzroy 2012 membership logo to the right.

We hope all of our members and supporters will get on board for what is bound to be an exciting 2012 season.

Michael Pickering appointed senior coach for Season 2012

10.00 pm Thursday 20th October 2011

The Club's board of directors are very pleased to announce the appointment of the club's new senior coach for 2012, following the resignation of 2011 coach Tim Bell for personal reasons.

The selection process concluded a couple of weeks ago when the Board of Directors considered the unanimous recommendation from the selection committee. The Board endorsed that recommendation and has appointed Michael Pickering as senior assistant coach for a two year term.

Michael Pickering played over 150 AFL games, 136 with the Richmond FC where he won the Best & Fairest in 1988 and was Vice Captain in 1989. He also kicked 161 goals. He also played 14 games with the Melbourne FC. Michael was assistant Reserves Coach at Richmond 1998-1999. He also spent a season as assistant coach at the Western Jets TAC squad. His most recent coaching experiences have been as the assistant coach of Fitzroy Football Club in 2011 and previously with the Fitzroy Junior Football Club, which included coaching the Colts U17 side to the Juniors first Div 1 Premiership in 2007.

The Club looks forward to a very exciting season ahead in 2012 with Michael at the helm of our dynamic senior list that will be looking to push into the Premier B division in the next couple of seasons.

 

James McGee wins Fitzroy's Best and Fairest for 2011

10.00 pm Thursday 20th October 2011

The Best and Fairest count for the Fitzroy Football Club (incorporating the Fitzroy Reds), was held on Friday 24th September at Bell Rydges, Preston.  It was a great night with awards for all teams and the Club being presented.

James McGee took out the Greg Roughsedge Perpetual Trophy (Fitzroy's Best and Fairest Award) for the

Other major Winners were:

Reserves Best and Fairest. Drew Olarenshaw

U.19 Best and Fairest: Julian Turner

Club18 A: Tie - Trent Coleman & Michael Younger

2011 Leading Goal Kicker: Will Pickering (59 goals)

Best 1st Year player: Will Pickering.

Fitzroy kicks a visitor's goal for Melbourne

 

The 125-year old Fitzroy Football Club has stepped into Melbourne’s tourism infrastructure by inviting visitors to join the club on match days to experience the culture of an inner suburban Aussie Rules football club.

After shopping or just grazing along Brunswick Street in Fitzroy (Melbourne’s first suburb), the club is encouraging tourists to walk a few minutes - or catch a passing tram - to nearby Brunswick Street Oval, the club’s home ground.

Former Club President, Craig Little said the club was offering exposure to “real grass-roots suburban footy”, a Melbourne cultural experience, on the city’s doorstep, and an alternative to the AFL’s games at the MCG and Etihad Stadium.

The club is briefing hotel concierges and backpacker hostels about the free exposure (there is no admittance fee) to another side of Melbourne’s eclectic visitor experience.

“We may pick up some new interstate and international memberships and we may generate some funds, but really it’s about the club being an advocate to how Melburnians love their footy at a local level,” Mr Little said.

The ground’s setting is part of the experience, he said ... …a grand heritage grandstand on one side, grassy banks with gold and orange plane trees wrapped around a large oval which is overlooked by two-storey Victorian terrace houses on two sides and the city skyline in the background, a reminder of the ground’s close proximity to the metropolis of Melbourne.

“Visitors can mingle with several hundred supporters who will gladly explain the rules of the game and talk of the proud and colourful history of the club,” he said.

Fitzroy Football Club playing in the Premier C Division of the Victorian Amateur Football Association.