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D1 2009 |
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Links2010 Membership |
Click on the icon above to download a 2010 membership form.
The Club's Shop & Museum is open each Wednesday afternoon between 1 pm & 4 pm and on the First Sunday of the month between 2pm & 4.30pm.
NEXT OPEN: .
Order form can be found here
The Fitzroy Shop is situated on the second floor of a commercial building on the corner of Nepean Hwy & McDonald St. Mordialloc. Melway Map 87 E12.
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Senior Coach: Simon Taylor |
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Senior Assistant Coach: James Taylor |
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Senior Assistant Coach: Michael Wallis |
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Reserves Coach: Sam Buckley |
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Under 19 Coach: Tim Bell |
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The Fitzroy Football Club runs five (5) teams in the Victorian Amateur Football
Association (VAFA) and for Season 2010 the Club is in need of volunteer support. The Club will provide training for all of the roles listed below. Where uniform or special clothing is required to be worn, the Club will also provide.
For some of the roles the Club would need a person every week and others it is only for home games. If you’re interested in a role but won’t be able to do all games, or could only do home games, please still contact us.
The roles to be fulfilled include water carriers (at least a minimum of two per team per game), timekeepers (one per game), goal-umpire (one for each Club XVIII team as well as U/19 games), boundary umpire (one for each team other than the Seniors), interchange stewards (one per home game), team manager (for all teams except the seniors), scoreboard attendant (one for each home game) and runner (for at least three teams).
If interested, please contact Fitzroy Football Club secretary Sharon Torney, on 0415 420 487 or shaztorn@dodo.com.au for more information.
A full description of the various roles that the Club would hopefully like filled for 2010 can be found here.
The 2010 Season begins on April 17th when Fitzroy travel to Como Park to take on Old Geelong.
Pre-season training details to be announced soon.
On the 22nd December 2009, the Fitzroy Football Club lodged a Statement of Claim with the Supreme Court of Victoria, seeking an order from the Supreme Court that the Brisbane Lions be restrained from using as its logo, the new logo or any other logo other than the Fitzroy lion logo. The Fitzroy lion logo is pictured to the left.
A Merger Agreement dated July 17th 1996 and a Deed of Company Arrangement dated August 4th 1996 between the two Clubs obliged Brisbane Lions to use the Fitzroy Lion logo "in perpetuity". The Fitzroy lion logo was the official logo of the Fitzroy Football Club at the time of the merger and had been so since 1977.
The Fitzroy lion logo referred to in the agreements, is depicted in a number of trademarks lodged and registered between 1984 and 2002 and is described variously as "Lion, Paw on Football" and "Lion standing, Paw on Ball" and appears as pictured above.
On 22nd October 2009, the Brisbane Lions announced that in breach of the agreements or one or other of them, that the new logo of the Brisbane Lions football team for AFL football season 2010 and beyond is the logo depicted below (“the new logo”).
The full Statement of Claim lodged at the Supreme Court of Victoria on 22nd December 2009 is available here.
The Fitzroy Football Club Ltd is applying for orders in the Victorian Supreme Court to restrain the Brisbane Lions from using their ‘new logo for a new era’.
The Merger Agreement in 1996 between the two Clubs obliged Brisbane Lions to use the Fitzroy Lion logo "in perpetuity".
The Fitzroy Lion logo has been the Club logo since 1965 [club stalwart George Coates introduced it to Fitzroy] and it has been the official Club logo since 1977. Importantly it was the logo of Fitzroy at the time of the merger and for that reason it assumes an increased significance. Brisbane Lions honoured that by using it as the logo of Brisbane Lions since the merger.
Our position is a united one on behalf of our members and all those who have asked us to take a stand for the proud tradition of not only Fitzroy but also Brisbane Lions—a tradition we believe the merger agreement obliges the Brisbane Lions to continue to honour.
We all want Brisbane Lions to remain a powerhouse in the AFL and to do so by continuing to honour the traditions brought to it by Fitzroy.
Jasper McMillan-Pittard, pictured left in action at Brunswick Street playing for Fitzroy U12s a few years ago, is the first player in the modern history of the Fitzroy Junior Football Club to make it to an AFL list. He was chosen by Port Adelaide at pick 16 from the Geelong Falcons.
McMillan-Pittard is an athletic and versatile player whose kicking skills and ability to read the play can hurt the opposition. He is a left-footer who provides plenty of run from defence. He represented the Vic Country U18 side in 2009 and at the recent Draft Camp, Jaspar completed 10.40mins for the 3kms which was impressive. He averaged 18 disposals in 13 matches for the Falcons with an efficiency rate of 71 per cent.
Jaspar describes himself as a Andrew MacKie winger / half back flanker who can run and carry the ball and his strengths as endurance, speed and kicking efficiency who could improve in his tackling and contested marking.
The Fitzroy Football Club and the Fitzroy Junior Football Club wish Jasper all the best at Port Adelaide. Many Fitzroy supporters, especially those associated with the Fitzroy Juniors will be following his career with considerable interest.
Jasper’s drafting is an example of the strength of the Fitzroy Junior Football Club, who has also had in excess of thirty players drafted into TAC development squads. Not only will the juniors continue to field good footballers and young men to the Fitzroy Football Club, but no doubt the day will surely come when a Fitzroy Junior finds himself playing senior football for the Brisbane Lions.
The 125th Annual General Meeting of the Fitzroy Football Club was held on Sunday 29 November.
The meeting paid tribute to Dyson Hore-Lacy who after 19 years of dedication to the Fitzroy Football Club has stepped down from the Board. Dyson was presented with the Chandler Trophy.
Bill Atherton was awarded Life Membership for his amazing work and dedication in keeping Fitzroy Football Club going. We all owe Bill a great debt of gratitude as for without his years of work, we would not have the Club we have today. Whilst Bill was awarded Life Membership, his wife Deb Atherton should also be thanked for her work.
Bill Atherton and Lou Soligo were re-elected to the Board and Joe Lovalvo and Sharon Torney were elected to the Board.
Many of you will have noticed in the media that the Brisbane Lions has decided to adopt a new club logo.
On first appearances it appears to directly contravene the binding provisions of the Deed of Company Arrangement executed by our two companies on the 4th August 1996, and our response has been to highlight the provisions in the Deed regarding the Fitzroy Lion logo.
However, as is the case with much reporting today, the debate has been sensationalised to a degree.
To be clear—no one is looking to sue anybody, and an application for a Supreme Court injunction to maintain the original merger undertakings made in 1996 by Brisbane and the AFL is very much a last resort.
First and foremost, our position is a united one on behalf of our members and all those from the Lions family who have called and emailed, asking us to take a stance for our proud tradition.
We hope the ensuing media interest on the issue demonstrates our Club be part of the conversation regarding the representation of Fitzroy’s history in the AFL.
The Brisbane Lions have done a wonderful job thus far of recognising 127 years of football history—a history we believe provides Brisbane with a wonderful advantage over soulless start ups such as the Gold Coast. But proportionate the blessing, proportionate the responsibility—a responsibility that exists in perpetuity.
While the Brisbane Lions touts the positive response from a Melbourne ‘focus group’, at no stage did the club (or its marketing consultants) contact the Fitzroy Football Club.
This is regrettable, as there is clearly more that unites us than divides us—much more. One of our roles from the beginning has been to help bring the Fitzroy and Brisbane families closer together and that continues to be our aspiration.
However, when the game’s traditions are seen as an impediment to slick marketing campaigns and the concerns of the average football supporter go unheard, we will use what voice we have, so your voice is heard.
Regards
Craig Little,
President
The Fitzroy Football Club mourns the passing of one of our Club greats, Life Member Clen Denning (1911-2009), who passed away on Monday night (November 9th) at the age of 98 and 11 months. Clen was the VFL/AFL's oldest living player.
Denning was the last surviving member of Fitzroy's final VFL-AFL premiership side of 1944.
After being recruited from VFA club Oakleigh, Denning enjoyed a remarkable start to his VFL career with Carlton in 1935 by kicking six goals from his first six kicks in his first game.
He played 23 matches with the Blues before he was transferred to Fitzroy at the end of 1937 where he spent the next 10 seasons.
Denning led Fitzroy's goal-kicking in 1939 with 37 goals before settling into the back pocket. This was at the instigation of then Maroons coach Dan Minogue, who was proven to be correct as Denning was a valuable contributor for many years especially in the Lions' 1944 premiership side that beat Richmond by 15 points.
Denning was a big name player for Fitzroy. Apart from winning a trophy for "excellent play" in the 1944 Grand Final, he was in Fitzroy's best players in the 1943 preliminary final and both finals in 1947. Fred Hughson after the 1944 Grand Final was reported as saying that, "Denning was a great last ditch man and usually overpowered his opponent."
Opposition players would agree. Champion Essendon rover Dick Reynolds once wrote in The Sun, "I have opposed many fine back pocket players and seen plenty of others in action, but the one I admire the most is Clen Denning of Fitzroy. From bitter experience I know just how hard it is to get a kick from this Fitzroy stalwart. He seemed to delight in shadowing and spoiling me, and even when I had the advantage he would bustle me or punch the ball away. In fact, I was glad to go back on the ball to get a few kicks. I once heard a player remark that Denning 'even watches the wind go by."
Clen was also held in high regard by Fitzroy supporters, members and officials. A letter dated February 26th 1948, from Fitzroy secretary Percy Mitchell said in part: "May I hand you the complement of being the best back pocket player I have ever known Fitzroy to possess."
He played a total of 159 VFL matches for Fitzroy (18 games for Carlton with 23 goals), kicked 59 goals for Fitzroy and represented Victoria in 1941. He was awarded 10 Brownlow votes in total...eight of them in 1947 - his last season. It quite likely would have been much more, but no Brownlow Medal was awarded between 1942 and 1945 due to World War Two.
Denning retired in 1947 and was made a Life Member of the Fitzroy Football Club that same year. He remained a loyal Fitzroy man, coaching the reserves in 1952 and 1953 and working as a talent scout for the Club. In 2001, he said "It's slipped by but it's one of those things I can always look back on - being with Fitzroy. They were a great side with a great lot of players that I used to play with. I still meet with some of the boys that I used to play with."
He was nominated for the Fitzroy Team of the Century in 2001 and was inducted into the Fitzroy-Brisbane Lions Past Players and Officials Hall of Fame the same year.
Clen's eulogy delivered at Clen's funeral by his son Ian Denning may be read here. The Fitzroy Football Club gratefully thanks Ian for his permission to publish Clen's eulogy on our website.
RIP Clen.
Picture Stuart Milligan. Sources: Herald-Sun. Chris Donald - "Fitzroy - For Love of the Jumper"
The Best and Fairest count for the Fitzroy Football Club (incorporating the Fitzroy Reds), was held on Friday 16 October at Bell Rydges, Preston. It was a great night with awards for all teams and the Club being presented.
Conor Dullard took out the Greg Roughsedge Perpetual Trophy (Fitzroy's Best and Fairest Award)
Presented on the night was the Chandler Trophy was awarded to Lloyd Browne for his continual dedication and support of the Club. Lloyd received a standing ovation. He has been the Club’s Reserves field umpire for the past 15 years. Prior to becoming an umpire Lloyd played with the Reds. With the Club’s elevation to C Section, Lloyd can no longer umpire Fitzroy Reserves games but will be the Club’s nominated umpire for the section. The Chandler Trophy was awarded to Lloyd for his continual dedication and support of the Club.
The Club congratulates all of the winners.
Summary of the awards:
Seniors
Reserves
Under 19(1)
Under 19(2)
Club XVIII
Club Awards
Photos of the night can be found here.
Fitzroy Football Club Under 19 players Rory Angiolella and Will Pickering tied to win the VAFA Under 19 (1) North Best and Fairest. They both polled 17 votes with second place finishing on 16 votes. Since 2004 Fitzroy Under 19s have had a total of 5 winners – 2004, 2007, 2008 and now two in 2009.
Tom Pinchen-Hogg came in third in the Under 19(2) North. Conor Dullard finished equal fourth in the D1 Best and Fairest.
"......on behalf of all the Fitzroy supporters who had their hearts ripped out 13 years ago, a huge thank-you to all the Roy Boys who took to the field this year, and a special thanks to the management and board of this fantastic club for re-igniting the flame. We may have not won top prize, but i tell you what, you guys took us on a magical ride in 2009...
Thank you Fitzroy Football Club, you did us proud, and here's looking towards 2010"
"Lions Den" - Big Footy 14th September 2009
Sentiments like Lions Den are no doubt shared by all Fitzroy supporters despite the fact that the Roys lost to Rupertswood by 25 points last Saturday afternoon in the D1 Grand Final.
The Roys tried hard all afternoon, but Rupertswood gained an early break, kicking with the wind in the first quarter. Fro thee the Roys were never able to peg back the deficit, ranging between 33 - 25 points in arrears for the whole day.
At the end the Roys were 25 points behind - a disappointing result on the day for the boys. However they should be proud of their achievements this season and the club is looking forward to 2010, when they advance to C Section.
Goal Kickers: 2 M. Zika, R. Borland, D. Clark; 1 M. MacKay, J. Taylor, O. Stoltz.
Best Players: D. Clark, B. Atherton, C. Meighen, M. MacKay, M. Biggs, J. O'Reilly.
| B | 5.J.Clark | 16. D.Clark | 11. B.Atherton |
| HB | 1. J.O'Rielly | 24. J.Parkinson | 26.S.Baker |
| C | 4. S.Kelleher | 18.C.Dullard | 12.C.Poliadoris |
| HF | 36. A.Seddon | 46. A.Daff | 29.V.Cahill |
| F | 61. J.Taylor | 3. R.Borland | 13. M.Zika |
| Foll | 21. C.Meighen | 2. M.Biggs | 35. M.McKay |
| I | 53.H.Topp, 49.O.Stolz, 59.P.O'Connor, 17.T.Dlabik, | ||
NO CHANGE |
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SIXTY-FIVE years after Fitzroy Football Club last won a premiership, the Roy Boys are on the verge of capping off a great sporting and suburban revival.
Fitzroy's merger with the Brisbane Bears in 1996 left fans divided - die-hard supporters eventually accepted the new Brisbane Lions; for others, it signalled the end of their beloved Fitzroy.
Maroon and blue jumpers gradually returned to their roots at Brunswick Street Oval through amateur club Fitzroy Reds, which at the start of this year sealed a more appealing merger with Fitzroy FC, and the Roy Boys were reborn.
Heartbreak has turned to hope as Fitzroy strives to add another flag to the eight it won between 1897 and 1944.
Tomorrow's final will pit the Division 1-section Victorian Amateur Football Association team against Rupertswood, backed by the support of the suburb, Brisbane and beyond.
This weekend, the connection between the once merged Brisbane and Fitzroy will be in full force, with the Lions also in Melbourne to take on the Western Bulldogs in tonight's AFL semi-final.
Fitzroy president Craig Little said he was ''overwhelmed'' by the support this year and was pleased they could ''supplement that with some on-field football success''.
Mac Tolliday, Fitzroy Football Club patron and a director of the Brisbane Lions Foundation, said there would be an ''enormous closeness and affinity'' between the Brisbane Lions and Fitzroy this weekend.
And not only on the teams, which will be wearing the same footy colours.
He hoped this weekend will be a repeat of a fortnight ago, when fans celebrated the wins by both Fitzroy and their ''blood brothers'' Brisbane, which beat the Swans in Sydney. ''It's the same song for the Fitzroy club as it is for the Lions, so I had the wonderful experience of singing the club song twice within 24 hours, though 1000 kilometres apart.''
Natalie Puchalski - The Age - September 11th 2009
Photo: Simon Kelleher, from Fitzroy Football Club, who will be playing in tomorrow's local football final against Rupertswood. Photo: Wayne Taylor
HUMAN kindness sometimes knows no bounds. Take, for instance, this amazing story of one of the great players ever to don a footy guernsey, Fitzroy legend Kevin Murray, who lost his Flowerdale holiday retreat in the Black Saturday bushfires last February. The home was not Murray's regular residence - he lives in Arcadia, near Shepparton - but nevertheless, the loss of his second residence was a massive blow to the 71-year-old, as it was not insured.
Well, it wasn't long before the old Fitzroy faithful rallied to his cause - and the result has been quite staggering. Because he is yet to receive any assistance from the Bushfire Relief Appeal other than the cost of removing the debris, the Fitzroy Brisbane Lions Past Players and Officials Association recently organised a president's luncheon [at the Brunswick Street Oval before Fitzroy's home game against South Melbourne Districts] during which it launched an appeal for him.
And as proof of what Murray means to Fitzroy - remember he played 333 games for the Lions, won nine best-and-fairest awards and is a former club skipper and captain coach - the money soon began to pour in. But it was one donation that stunned everybody, Murray included. The $31,500 raised so far includes one cheque of $30,000, which was sent to the club on the condition the donor remained anonymous. ''I don't even know who the person is,'' club secretary Bill Atherton said yesterday. ''It was a magnanimous gesture, quite unbelievable really.''
Indeed, Murray can be quite thankful of what has transpired since Black Saturday. Apart from the generosity of the Fitzroy faithful, he had planned to visit his holiday retreat on the day of the tragedy, but at the last moment decided not to go. ''We could have lost him, too,'' said Atherton. ''We're very lucky to still have him.''
Geoff McClure - The Age Sporting Life - August 20th 2009
The Fitzroy Brisbane Lions Past Players & Officials Association have launched an Appeal to assist one of our greatest players through the loss that he has suffered from the recent Bushfires at Flowerdale
As many know, Kevin lost his house at Flowerdale. As it wasn’t his permanent residence, he has not yet received any assistance from the Bushfire Relief Appeal other than the cost of removing the debris.
The Appeal was launched at the Fitzroy Football Club's President's Luncheon, before the Club played South Melbourne Districts on Saturday 8th August, by Past Players Secretary Ivan Smith. Ivan spoke glowingly of what Kevin has meant to all Fitzroy supporters over the years, before presenting Kevin a cheque for just over $31,000 to officially launch the appeal.
Kevin himself spoke about how much pleasure he has gained over the years mixing with supporters and members of the Fitzroy Football Club's supporters. He recalled with some emotion a couple of encounters with Club supporters that have particularly meant a great deal to him.
If you would like to make a donation to this worthy cause, please download the donation form here, fill it out and forward it to the Secretary of the Fitzroy-Brisbane Past Players Association Mr Ivan Smith at 32 Nash Rd, Box Hill Vic. 3128.
THE most significant result in D1-section on Saturday was fourth-placed Fitzroy’s victory at the home of second-placed Werribee.
Five of the six players named in the Roys’ best were teenagers; the only player of mature years was Conor Dullard, who’s the son of former Melbourne defender Tony. After driving back from Werribee, Fitzroy players and officials dropped in to their rooms below the old grandstand at the Brunswick Street oval to see the latest addition to the club’s Royboys palette.
In 1967, after Fitzroy had shifted its home matches from Brunswick Street to Princes Park, Roys president Ern Joseph became unhappy with the fact that his players had to change in front of Carlton memorabilia and organised for three large blinds to be made. The first blind featured the word “The”. The second blind featured “Lions” and the third said “Home”. The blinds were pulled down over the Carlton honour boards before every Lions game.
After Fitzroy had moved on to the Junction Oval for the 1970 season, the blinds remained at Princes Park until a Carlton official badgered Fitzroy great Kevin Murray to take them away. The blinds sat in storage until Murray recently donated them to the Fitzroy Football Club. Fitzroy president Craig Little said the blinds went up late last week. “They’re very old-school; they just look ‘late ’60s’.” After viewing the blinds on Saturday evening, the Lions contingent adjourned over the road to traditional Fitzroy watering hole the Lord Newry Hotel for hearty celebrations.
Its been a big week for Gerard Healy with the Brownlow Medallist rightly basking in the glory of being one of the 23 inaugural inductees into the Swans Hall of Fame last weekend. The smile was wiped from the media superstar's dial when Psst reminded him that this Tuesday (28th July) will mark the 30th anniversary of the most lopsided game in league history - of which he was on the receiving end.
Round 17, 1979 saw Fitzroy wallop Melbourne at Waverley by an AFL record 190 points, with a then record score of 36.22.238 to the Demons' 6.12.48. It was in Healy's first season and he had played every game, but the youngest player on the ground that day did not escape the ugly aftermath. "I can remember going forward and kicking a goal and thinking. "That hopefully will be just enough to get me through for next week, but no it wasn't. I got dropped for the first time in my career - and the only time - and I was filthy about it too," he recalled.
"David Robb, who was chairman of selectors came up to me on the Thursday night and said "Didn't like the way you were doing your boots up. You just didn't look switched on', and I thought it was a fairly flimsy excuse. He should have just said, "You played terribly
Healy remembers being in awe of the Lions' dominance that afternoon, even admiring the brilliance of some of their players. "I recall David McMahon kicking goals (two) from the wing. In fact I reckon half the Fitzroy crowd kicked goals as well as the Fitzroy players. Every time I looked up Bob Beecroft (who kicked ten) had the ball in his hands and I was just marvelling at Gary Wilson."
With the Roys leading by 141 points at the final change, Healy, even as an 18 year old, knew he was part of something special during the last quarter. "It was hard to miss that socreboard at Waverley, and when Fitzroy's 30th (goal) went up, I thought to myself "Haven't seen that all that often." When it got to 35 goals, I thought to myself, "it's going to be ugly during the week. Waverley was always heavy, but I think we were playing in cement and they were playing on a very fast track - that's how it felt and that's how it looked."
Bruce Eva - 'Pssst', The Sunday Age - 26th July 2009
Fitzroy’s football return – albeit in amateur form – is bringing Brunswick Street Oval and a still broken-hearted fan base back to life.
Jeff Dowsing’s great feature article on the return of Fitzroy is in this month’s Inside Sport magazine, available at newsstands now.
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.
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 D1 Division of the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
Fitzroy's last AFL captain Brad Boyd speaks to Rod Nicholson.
THE MOMENT
Brad Boyd led Fitzroy on to the MCG for the club's final Victorian appearance in 1996 and to say farewell to the historic club. This week he was thrilled to see Fitzroy return to the Brunswick Street Oval, albiet in the D1 Amateurs.
THE FAREWELL
"We copped a thrashing from Richmond, but that was to be expected as we'd won only one game for that season. It was a rotten year as we lurched from one disaster to another.
That final day was very sad for us as players and for the fans. It was bizarre, surreal.
You could see the faces in the crowd, so many people upset. I don't think I realised the enormity of the occasion at the time, the closure, the end of a wonderful history. You just tried to get through each day at that stage.
I wish that had been the last match, because two farewells were overwhelming. After we said goodbye at the MCG, we had to fly to Fremantle for the club's last game. We came home, but the club didn't. It was really draining."
BRISBANE
"I was the first of eight players picked by the Brisbane Bears. But it was a disappointing venture for me. I played only 30 minutes of footy with the club in 1997 due to back and hamstring injuries and only another 14 during the next two years before I retired at 27.
Overall I missed 80 games through injury, which is a lot when you consider I played only 85 with Fitzroy and Brisbane during my career.
But I had my highs. I was Fitzroy captain at 22, won the club best and fairest in 1995 and represented Victoria in 1994 and 1995."
TODAY
"I still follow the Lions and I was thrilled to see Fitzroy back at Brunswick Street Oval last week in their first match in the Amateurs.
"I was guest speaker at the Fitzroy Historical Society at Brunswick Street on Thursday night and I catch up as often as possible with the current players.
I had offers to play in various competitions when I returned from Brisbane, but I couldn't beecause I knew I would break down within five seconds. So my football now is concentrated on my sons Liam, 9 and Matt, 5. My wife Rachel, runs an importing wholesale business with a warehouse in Dromana and I've been in real estate for the past four years. It is a great lifestyle at Mt Martha and I take the boys to footy training and to matches on Sunday."
Rod Nicholson - Sunday Herald Sun - April 26th 2009 p. 32
IS THERE a better place to be late on a Saturday afternoon, standing on the grass in front of the grandstand, after the final siren has sounded, among the throng of fans, which has parted to let the boys, your boys, trot proudly through?
Fitzroy has won at Brunswick Street for the first time since 1966. The Roys have beaten Prahran in D1 amateur footy. Backs are slapped and players beam with watermelon smiles as they tear the tape from thumbs and wave to friends and family and stop to cuddle the niece.
You can feel the affection in the sustained applause. From past players, grey-haired now, who once ran around on this ground themselves. From old Fitzroy fans. And from people like me, just six years in the area, but feeling it is home now.
Fans flank the players and many make their way into the dressing rooms. They feel they have no choice. Something in our drab selves has been ignited and we just have to get inside. People are spilling out the door when the first bars of the Fitzroy song rattle the grandstand.
At the lunch beforehand, president Craig Little explained that the club really was the old Fitzroy again, with the blessing of all concerned; that Fitzroy hoped to be the club of the community, as it once had been. The faithful believed him, and if you had any doubt what was in people's hearts you should have been there for Kevin Murray's speech.
He didn't say much. He didn't have to. It was the silence that was most powerful, that moment when a man is so connected to his world and the people in it that he cannot speak. The purest silence. Recognised by everyone in the room. Then old Bulldog composed himself, wriggled in his back brace, stood tall on his bandy legs and smiled the smile of a man returning home, his new false teeth as perfect as his football gums used to be, his Brownlow Medal pinned on his pocket. He continued.
"My two brothers and I played for the Fitzroy thirds, and I went on to play in the ones," he said. "I played for the claret and blue from 1955 to 1974. And my father and Uncle Phil played for Prahran. So this is quite a day for me.
"This club has always been about finding the fighting spirit. Which is all you can do. It has been about creating something that means something to all of us. And, look around and you can see that it does."
The Roys are strong in the first half and lead. They play open footy. But there is still plenty to do. In the rooms at half-time, coach Simon Taylor speaks quietly. "We're evolving," he says in a voice that has picked the best from Ross Lyon and Elliot Goblet. "But we can't negotiate. No negotiation. We can't choose."
Some players look up from their muesli bars and turn their heads in that way a puzzled pooch does. He's going to be interesting by round 17.
I watch the second half with Spud Dullard who played for Melbourne in the '70s. He lives around the corner. He has planted succulents in the front garden. They are doing very well. So is his son, Connor, who is picking up plenty of kicks.
He's got plenty of mates and the Roys are too good.
I am in the community room after the game. Stubbies are sold for $3. Players drift through the door. Carrying their footy bags. Showered (apart from that little bit of mud in their eye socket). Some starting to feel sore. A grazed elbow. A stop mark on the neck.
It's buzzing. People are introducing themselves to each other, discovering points of connection, telling stories. During the speeches, Isaac Hughson, who has kicked seven, is announced as Fitzroy's best. He is the grandson of Fred Hughson, captain-coach of the 1944 premiership side, and full-back in the team of the century.
With the formalities over, conversations resume. More beers. I reckon it's going to be a good year.
And I hear a six o'clock question I haven't heard for donkey's ages: "Does anyone know how Carlton went today?"
John Harms, The Age Sport
The Fitzroy Football Club (incorporating the Fitzroy Reds) also endeavours to represent the interests of Fitzroy members who support the Brisbane Lions in the AFL Merger. The merger of the Fitzroy Football Club and the Fitzroy Reds, in no way affects the AFL merger.
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