Join us for a drink tomorrow at our post-match event after the Fitzroy-ACU Senior Women take on Old Scotch. 4.30pm, Fitzroy Victoria Bowling and Sports Club, 578 Brunswick St, Fitzroy North.
Round 5 results
Milestone Roys
Congratulations to Ross Borland who plays game 200 this weekend and Martin Deasey who plays his 100th, outstanding achievements!
We are also excited to see beloved Senior Men's co-captain, Julian Turner return to the field this week to celebrate game 150! Congrats Jules, we know it's been a long road and we're thrilled to see you reach this milestone.
And congratulations to our wonderful Women's Reserves Captain, Calypso Poole for reaching 50 games in Round 4. We loved seeing Pip celebrate the moment in typical Pip style!
Le rouge et noir, how bizarre
By Guy Gorilla
The challenge for the Rouge et Noir Cup, a contest against the formidable Uni Blacks, loomed again in Round 5, following the bye. It’s been one-way traffic in recent years, all favouring the Blacks. Truth be known, in this correspondent’s opinion, the Blacks should be up a level. Fitzroy had some significant ‘outs’: Hudson-Bevege, McKay and Toohey all missing through injury or covid fatigue. Butler, Megennis and Wilson coming in.
The loss of the tall ruckman McKay was especially significant, meaning Bill Clayton had to ruck for most of the game rather than have his imposing presence threatening from the goal square. There was a huge ‘change in the weather’, to quote the great John Fogerty. A balmy 24 on Anzac Day, winter and 15 on Kevin Murray Stand unveiling day.
Our first quarter was unfortunately mistake ridden, handing out goals on a platter. It was 4 goals to zip at the 8-minute mark. Charlie Hogg snapped our first on his left, which meant I won the first goal money from the luncheon, a victory for the poor and underprivileged.
I digress. Poor disposal was the Roy’s biggest problem, frequently the error coming at the end of a good passage of play. Kyroussis and Ligris were prominent in the first session. Ramshaw was again a shining light. 25–7 at the first break.
Coach Mahoney implored improvement in execution and asked for our taller forwards to bring the ball to the ground if they couldn’t mark. Early in the second one of those things occurred that even the best of us can’t explain. Bizarre, it led to their fifth. Enough said. A smart kick by Ted Clayton, combining with Minahan, got it to the goal square for Hart to goal. The Roys were competing beyond expectation, but not getting just reward. 5–2 to 2–5 summed it up.
Professor Borland got on the lead and kicked truly, and at the long break it was 32–23. We could have led. At the start of the second half, you could sense new purpose from the Blacks. They kicked the first because there was no one on the goal line, but then a Maradona-like pass from George Pyers got it to Tom Wilson who flicked it in the back of the net.
Relentless only goes part way to describe Chris Doherty’s attack on the ball and pursuit of the opposition. So good in the back pocket, maybe worth a try elsewhere.
He takes down ruckman like they’re Tom Thumb. They kicked another, and it was 54–28 their way at the final change.
The coach resorted to that soft, soft voice that only players can hear. I edged in closer, and wished I was stripped and ready to go. He was positive to the core, and called for low, direct kicks rather than high bombs. The Roys’ biggest obstacle was the opposition’s tall timber. A luxury the boys from BSO didn’t have. Inspired by the Jackjumpers’ coach, Mahoney proclaimed: “Defend the Kevin Murray Stand.” I left the huddle to climb to the second row. Defending.
Sexy Ridge Lowrie was inspirational again, winning a 1 against 4, defending the Alamo, then carrying it 60 yards like one of 300 Spartans. Ted Clayton was toiling assiduously, Hogg up and down like a punch drunk prize fighter, taking the points however.
In the end, it was the effort that killed us, we couldn’t score, and they snuck away in junk time. A shame, no shame on the home side, but a shame nonetheless. 75–30,
Blacks lowest score for the year, probably ours as well. A big game at Mentone next week against St Bedes. They all are when you’re 1 and 4.
Kevin's come home
From left to right: Daryl Herrod, Renato Serafini, Chris Smith, John Newnham, Matt Rendell, Colin Hobbs, Paul O'Brien, Danny Wilson, Dr. John Fraser, Rod Cobain, John Murphy, Bruno Zorzi, Colin Mahon, Daryl Stewart, Kevin Ellis.
On Saturday, 7 May 2022 we unveiled the official Kevin Murray Stand sign we will raise for all Fitzroy home games at Brunswick Street Oval to honour our club's greatest player. It was a wonderful occasion and we were thrilled to see so many people come along and celebrate with us, including some legends of our club. While Kevin was unable to make the event, he sent a beautiful message to the Fitzroy family that President David Leydon read on the day.
Kevin Murray's message to the Fitzroy Football Club community
I would like to thank the Fitzroy Football Club from the bottom of my heart for making this day one of the great honours of my football career, and indeed, of my life. I would also like to send my heartfelt thanks to the supporters who supported the club through the good times and the bad, and who also supported me during the early years of my footy career right up until the end of my playing days and beyond.
The Fitzroy Football Club was my life and it still is.
To have this grandstand named after me is a wonderful honour and so humbling at the same time, considering all the Fitzroy greats that I played with and witnessed playing here at the famous Brunswick Street Oval.
The real legends are the supporters, old and new, who came every week and stood side by side with the footy club through thick and thin. I hope that when you look at the grandstand now, and in the future, it puts a smile on your face as it does on mine and that you will remember the immense pleasure that the Fitzroy Football Club gave to so many people.
To be held in such esteem by my peers is such a great honour and I want to thank each and every one of you. I am also absolutely delighted that our beloved Fitzroy Football Club name still lives on under the stewardship of the wonderful community based club which now proudly calls this historic Brunswick Street Oval our home ground.
The Toyota Good For Footy Raffle is on! Buy your tickets now!
It's back! Your chance to win some great prizes and support the mighty Roys!
In 2021, we raised a total of $6710 which went directly to supporting our Club. Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket!
We've now got the 2022 raffle up and running and we'd love to see Fitzroy on the leader board and smash last year's sales to keep our club strong.
All you have to do is jump online and buy your tickets to be in the running to win one of 10 amazing prizes, including a brand new Toyota!
100 per cent of the proceeds go to supporting the Fitzroy Football Club. The raffle will be drawn at 12pm on Monday 5 September, 2022 with winners announced on Wednesday 14 September.
Book now for these exciting upcoming Fitzroy lunches
Fitzroy Rotary Annual Football Lunch
Politician and friend of everything Fitzroy, Fiona Patten MLC, is heading to Brunswick Street for this special Election Day edition of the Fitzroy Rotary Annual Football Lunch.
Fiona, a Member for Northern Metropolitan Region in the Victorian Parliament’s Legislative Council and Leader of the Reason Party, will give insights into life in Victorian politics and speak about some of the issues close to her heart.
Fitzroy Rotary Director Peter Hille will MC this lunch, which will take place before the Fitzroy Football Club’s Senior Men play Old Carey.
Please join us on Saturday, 21 May for our Fitzroy Rotary Annual Football Lunch. Bookings are essential — secure your ticket now!
Date: Saturday 21 May Time: 11:45am for 12pm start Cost: $45 for lunch (roast meats or vegetarian option, vegetables and salads, and cheese
platter). Drinks at bar prizes Where: Community Room, Brunswick Street Oval
Professor Joy Damousi, head of ACU’s Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences and Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor at the University of Melbourne, will share her tales of growing up Greek in 1960s Fitzroy.
This lunch will put a spotlight on our sponsors ACU, and take place before our Senior Fitzroy-ACU Senior Women take on Old Geelong at Brunswick St Oval.
Date: Saturday 28 May Time: 11:45am for 12pm start Cost: $35 for lunch (provided by Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Catering) with drinks at bar prices Where: Community Room, Brunswick Street Oval
