We're not going away

Guy Gorilla gives us his thoughts on the supreme effort of a young senior side who just fell short in the contest with Old Scotch in round 11.

I was dragged into the bowling club before the last game by two respectable but ‘desperate for a drink’ Dads of 19-year-olds. They know a Gorilla who can’t say ‘no’. A section of the supporter group already in there imbibing. Must have been the weather and the 2s scoreboard. A 130-point defeat was not a good look, but it was almost a completely fresh team from previous weeks.

The obligatory six changes in the ones. Faubel, Pavlich, Tatchell on debut, Zahgis, Bushby and Lazzaro in for Brazier at the Blues, Dalton, Turner, Lambert and Henderson maimed along with Richardson. Stability would be helpful for the coaching group, but to quote Alistair Clarkson, ‘another soldier steps up.’ And they did. Lazzaro in exchange for Brazier not a bad compromise; be lovely to have both.

We kicked the first after Wrecking Ball Laidlaw steadied beautifully in receipt of the perfect pass from Doc O’Donnell. Our tackling was on the money early, always a good sign for the attitude barometer. Ellis resumed his rock-like status down back with Jacob Long and Martin Deasey in support, reading and rollicking, reading and rollicking. Byron Bushby was artful, creative, a name like that, he must be. It was 15-8 their way at the break, but our effort was solid.

The key message at the huddle was to plant the seed ‘I’m never out of the play’. There is always something you can do to help the side-tackle, block, shepherd, bump, contest. Always pressure; disable their game.

We were playing honest footy, but a costly mistake in defence led to their third, despite us dominating the opening passages. Laidlaw prominent. They then kicked a flukey fourth, and the margin was out to 17. Zorro Zahgis kicked one a after a couple of previous failed attempts. But the edge in class was taking over. Harrison Grace, son of one of the blokes who head locked me into the bowling club earlier, scored from a goal square free, but it was 49-25 at the main break, a biggish lead in the conditions. You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned the name of the other side yet. I don’t like them.

Short options are no good in the wet, we must go longer, otherwise we can’t get bang for our buck. Deasey was doing an exceptional job in his dogmatic, no frills manner. Nathan Ligris was providing all the frills in a performance that combined vigour with poetic class. But we couldn’t bridge the 3-4 goal gap. Toohey took a catch from an outside edge, played on from the crease and goaled. Nathan the Nomad kicked beautifully and truly, and then bullocking work by Ted Clayton got it to Darcy Lowrie for his first senior goal, and first overall for the season. A big, white toothed grin from ‘Sexy Ridge’. You know that good looking dude on Channel 10 at 4.30? (celebrations of Darcy's goal captured in the pic by Phyllis) 68-44 at the final change, we’re there or thereabouts, rain clouds looming, the effort gauge was always on high.

‘We are not going away’. Once, twice, three times by Coach Mahoney. Play surge football, kick long wherever possible, don’t overuse, surge, surge.

We couldn’t let the other mob score first. Willpower was everywhere, Jack Hart especially resolute whether in defence or pinch hitting in the ruck. Zorro had a bounce on the outer flank, picking out a firm spot on the ground. The Nomad snapped a beautiful left footer, Toohey won a loose ball, got it to Ted Clayton, and it was back to 2 goals. We had all the ball, was a turn-up on offer? Hate to use this kind of language, but it was pissing down, like seriously. They kicked a couple out of the Khyber Pass (the oppo’s doctor supporter spelt it for me in the stand). Nino the Magnificent kicked a ripper in the middle of a maelstrom. Then he spun out of a pack and got it to Lord Byron for another. But the siren sounded, it was 82-68 their way.

A sad loss, because our effort was supreme. Can’t fault it. Our reward was to move out of the bottom two. Let’s keep it that way. Blacks are gettable next week, let’s get them.

Guy Gorilla

Unders take centre stage tomorrow

With the senior squad and Thirds enjoying a second bye tomorrow, the Under 23s and Under 19s will take centre stage.

It's a great chance to see the Under 23s in action – possibly featuring a few new faces or those pushing for senior selection – as they play at 2pm at Ramsden Street. They play host to Whitefriars.

The Under 19s (pictured above) will be in action against Old Trinity at Hudson Oval. OT's are still in the running for finals so the Roy Boys will need to bring their best game. They also play at 2pm. Get down and check out some high quality Under 19 football if you can.

All clubs are likely to have extra player options with the senior men's sides having the extra bye, so the standard is set to be top class.

All men's teams will be back in action next weekend.

Time to tackle SKOBs

The Roy Girls head out to Righetti Oval tomorrow to take on the SKOB Saints and despite the positions on the ladder, Fitzroy-ACU Captain, Jess Hayes, says the squad is aiming to take some positives out of the season.

The last time the teams met was Round 1, when Fitzroy-ACU played at Brunswick Street Oval and were run down in the final quarter. They will be out to even the score tomorrow.

"We see and feel that we are playing good footy, so the morale is strong, we are playing for each other and looking for the small positives," Jess said.

Despite facing relegation, the Senior Women are still looking for the wins and Jess says one of the objectives is to help shape the finals.

During the bye week, the squad got together for a GALZ night, reflecting on the good and the not so good of the season and asked themselves the question, 'what can we do to improve in 2020'.

"We reflected on the strengths that each individual brings to the squad and did some team building. We are looking to the future. There is a lot of love for each other and we also think the Ressies have a very slim chance of finals, so that's part of our focus."

Congratulations to Hannah L Martin, who will play her first game in the seniors tomorrow and Lucy Kerr is back in the side, which will give Fitzroy-ACU a big boost.

The Fitzroy-ACU Reserves are coming off an outstanding win in the last round, defeating Kew at Ramsden Street Oval, 5.10.40 to nil. With the benefit of Teresa Zampaglione in the ressies line up and celebrating the milestone game of Indi Benjamin, the Ressies turned in an inspired performance and led out hard from the start of the game, giving Kew no chance to get into the contest.

Some credit should go to Assistant Coach, Nathan McLean, who stepped in while Simon Jackson was overseas, and did an outstanding job for the last couple of weeks. Jacko is back this week after having kept a close eye on proceedings from a distance.

Reds Ball – last chance to book

This year's Reds Ball is all about the battle between good and evil with the theme Heroes and Villains.

So pick a side and source your costume because there’s no such thing as being overdressed for a night like this. Players and friends of Fitzroy are all welcome.

The venue is the fabulous Welcome to Thornbury and your ticket will be all-inclusive of drinks and finger food.

Cape up and fly on down!

Date: Saturday 20 July
Time: 7pm til midnight
Venue: Welcome to Thornbury, 520 High St, Northcote (train: Croxton Station or trams along High St)
Tickets: $85 per head.

Click the link for bookings. Bookings must close by Monday 15 July

Nathan part of Big V win

Congratulations to Nathan Jumeau who played in the VAFA Big V win over Perth Football League at Fremantle Oval last weekend.

Nathan was Fitzroy's sole representative in the Big V B-Div 4 team which took the victory by 31 points.

It's been a big month for Nathan, who also reached his 100-game milestone with Fitzroy at Brunswick Street Oval on 22 June against Monash Blues.

Captain Jack, will get you high tonight*

The Fitzroy Ressies’ Top Gun sits down for a chat with Guy Gorilla during the bye week and shares some of his aspirations on and off field.

Of course, of course, I now get to interview the 2s captain, Jack Atkinson. He just happens to be an aerospace engineer. A lot of blokes are like that at the Roys-educated, refined, good job, matey, social, aerospace engineers. He's been employed doing that for over three years, having graduated from RMIT, where about 300 started out in the course. He's the first aerospace engineer I've met. I don't know what they do. We're in a quiet back room at the Northcote Social Club. That's my scene, rather than my head in the clouds somewhere.

At the age of nine, Jack moved to the Northern Territory with the family; his Dad a meteorologist with the RAAF. Initially, he wanted to be a jet pilot, then decided on the engineering bit. 'It inspired something in me.' He returned to Melbourne for his secondary education, excelling at the Fitzroy Feeder that is Northcote High. He excelled there, using his Reservoir home as the launch pad for Rocket Man aspirations. Off to uni then, having earned a reputation for having a 'problem with authority'. An aerospace engineer with behavioural issues. Bit like Tom Cruise in Top Gun with Kelly McGillis.

He started sport as a youngster playing soccer – a goalie – and thought to himself, 'if I am going to be catching balls, I may as well play footy'. Off to Fitzroy juniors in 2003. By 2007 he had played in a flag at Colts level with Michael Pickering as coach, and then another at Under 19s under the tutelage of Tim Bell.

He reflects on the characteristics that make the club what it is. 'There's plenty of out-there personalities, it's not your typical suburban club, left-of-centre personalities. You don't have to be a tradie.' Nothing wrong with tradies of course; we have some of them too. We agreed that this was an attraction for the club – 'it's catalytic' – but that this sometimes makes it harder to recruit hardnosed footy heads.

Jack has played 150 senior games with Fitzroy, but none in the 1s. 'I'm still waiting for the call-up.' He has been Reserves captain for two or three years and recognises the importance of the role but has received assurances from the coaches that his cards are not stamped '2s only'.

In 2015, Sam Buckley and Rich Willingham (as joint coaches) guaranteed him five games in the Ressies, then in 2016 appointed him captain. He developed confidence in his abilities but had some hesitation in taking on the important role. 'There was a sense of honour, a sense of pride, coupled with not wanting to stuff it up. I have not seen it as a blocker to senior selection however.'

His premiership captaincy in 2018 was exemplary. 'It was the perfect season, but given our depth and level of talent, it was captaincy made easy. The club is so fortunate to have the coaches we have. Bernie Carter is a gem; you couldn't wish for better. He has a great relationship with senior coach Mahoney but understands how to assess and advise on the individual needs of the players in his group.'

Jack has continued to lead from the front in 2019, especially after the difficult start to the year. He is rapt that the club has so much young talent to develop. The fight to stay in Premier B is so important, because it will stand as evidence and enticement to others to be part of the club. It is the lure. 'The development will come with some losses, but we'll be refreshed in 2020 with enhanced development and recruitment.'

On a personal level, work is great, he flies high, taking on more responsibility, managing projects and people. A key personality trait. Football meets work meets life. He has just finished renovating a house after three years, moving from having little spare time to now looking for something to do. 'I still want to play ones and will do whatever I can to achieve that aim. I'll be around again next year.'

A born leader, refined personality, Fitzroy person, 'looking for something to do'. Captain Jack, you'll take us high tonight. (*Billy Joel, if you’re interested).

Guy Gorilla

Get set for a makeover with new Fitzroy supporter gear

New Fitzroy supporter gear is set to hit the market in the next few weeks.

With the popularity of the new player hoodies, the club's Director Member and Sponsor Relations, David Leydon, has been working overtime to bring Fitzroy fans some new options to wear on the sidelines.

The following options will be available:

adult hoodie (pictured): $60 + postage and handling
children's hoodie: $50 + postage and handling
polo: $45 + postage and handling
long sleeve t-shirt (pictured): $40 + postage and handling
jacket: $90 + postage and handling

David will have samples at the Men's senior game next weekend and the gear will go on sale at Brunswick Street from Saturday 27 July.

Postage and handling will apply to online orders only, so buying at the ground will be the best option.

Keep a look out in the Red Roy, social media and the website, as the orders are likely to come online before then.

Player wellbeing program takes shape

Behind the scenes at the Fitzroy Footy Club, Director Player Wellbeing, Michael Pickering, and a group of current and former players have been utilising the club's networks and putting in place the structure for a strong player wellbeing program.

Based on the findings of a player survey earlier this year, the club is working on offering players support with their careers and education, personal development and mental health. Whilst the work is still in its early stages, there have been some great activities running during the season.

These include:

a mental health session with former Carlton player, Ken Hunter
mindfulness sessions with Helen Manoli
a financial management session run by current players with qualifications in financial management, Matty Kyroussis and Will Pickering.

Our sponsors are also getting on board. This week players have been hearing from Nicole Manley at Jellis Craig and the team at the Clifton Hill/North Fitzroy Community Bank Branch, along with current player Liz Olney, about buying and renting property.

We will be bringing you more details as the program progresses, but in the meantime, if you have questions or would like to get involved, please contact Michael Pickering.

All-star line up for literary lunch - tickets selling fast

You’d be hard pressed to find a stronger guest speaker line up than what we’ve got planned on Saturday 27 July.

There are still a few seats left so get in quickly. Bookings close Monday 22 July.

FFC footy mum, historian and award-winning author, Dr Clare Wright, will host “The Football Solution” and she has put together a panel of three of Melbourne’s most distinguished thinkers and writers to discuss the sex, politics and religion of Aussie Rules.

This is also the Jellis Craig Game, which has a tradition of being a sell-out and coincides with the grand final replay against Old Geelong. The Fitzroy teams will have a point to prove on the field and off the field many points will already have been shared before the siren sounds, with this top-class panel of minds. Bookings are now open to get your seat and share a few stories over lunch with:

George Megalogenis – journalist, author and one of Australia’s most respected political commentators. His book The Australian Moment won the 2013 Prime Minister's Literary Award for Non-fiction and the 2012 Walkley Award for Non-fiction, and formed the basis for the ABC documentary series Making Australia Great. His most recent book is The Football Solution: How Richmond’s Premiership Can Save Australia.

Christos Tsiolkas is an award-winning novelist, playwright, essayist and poet. Two of his best-selling books, The Slap and Barracuda, have been adapted into ABC television drama series. Christos has a longstanding interest in the convergence of sport and literature. He barracks for Richmond.

Dr Chris McConville is an historian, Victoria University academic and former member of the Coodabeen Champions. His fields of expertise include urban history, sports history and the history of gambling in Australia. Chris is a Fitzroy local and an often be found lurking in the BSO Grandstand of a Saturday arvo. He also barracks for Richmond.

Dr Clare Wright is an historian, author and broadcaster. Her books include The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka and You Daughters of Freedom, the first two instalments of her Democracy Trilogy. She is the host of ABC Radio National’s history series/podcast, Shooting the Past. Clare is an Associate Professor of History at La Trobe University and the mother of Bernie, Noah and Esther Wright. She barracks for whoever her kids are playing for. Go Roys!

(Photo of Clare Wright by Susan Papazian and Christos Tsiolkas by John Tsiavis)

You will also be able to purchase the books of our panel from Neighbourhood Books. Cnr Westgarth and High St, Westgarth: https://www.neighbourhoodbooks.com

Get in early and book your tickets for lunch.

Saturday 27 July
Brunswick Street Oval community rooms
12pm

Major Raffle – buy early, buy often!

Fitzroy's annual raffle is even better in 2019.

The raffle winner will take out the best footy prize going around: tickets for two to every game in the 2019 Toyota AFL Finals Series (including the Grand Final), again generously donated by the Brisbane Lions (GFAFL19/49).

Second prize, kindly donated by David Leydon, is a framed Fitzroy Team of the Century guernsey featuring Roy legends including Hadyn Bunton, Mick Conlan, Bernie Quinlan, Paul Roos, Allan Ruthven and Garry Wilson, and beautifully autographed by the great Kevin Murray.

And this season Student Flights Melbourne have come on board to offer a $500 travel voucher.

Tickets are only $5 each. You can purchase them at home games, from any of our players, from the Directors of the club and if you can sell tickets, please contact Helen Manoli, who can provide you with books of 10. Email her at helenmanoli4@gmail.com

This weekend's games

SKOB Saints v Fitzroy-ACU Reserve Women – VAFA Premier Reserve Women’s – Righetti Oval, Kooyong, 12pm, Saturday 13 July
Old Trinity v Fitzroy Under 19s – Holmesglen U19 Division 1 – Hudson Oval, 2pm, Saturday 13 July
Fitzroy Under 23s v Whitefriars – VAFA Under 23s – Ramsden Street Oval, 2pm, Saturday 13 July
SKOB Saints v Fitzroy-ACU Senior Women – VAFA Premier Women’s – Righetti Oval, Kooyong 2pm, Saturday 13 July