As we hit the field again this weekend…

Let’s keep in mind that no matter how much we care about winning, how caught up we get in the game and the outcome, how much we love to support our players and the club we hold so dear, nothing justifies aiming abuse at the umpires who adjudicate the game, or targeting opposition players who give our players a willing contest.

So let’s all keep ourselves nice and support our beloved Roys – in the way they want and expect us to.

Tonight!
Come on down and watch Roy women make history

The Fitzroy Football Club is not short on history. In fact there’s not a club in the VAFA who enjoys a past as rich and proud as ours.

At a ground that’s seen successive generations of brilliant footballers, our pioneering squad of senior women footballers will be playing under lights at the famous old Brunswick Street Oval. It's the first senior women's football game – indeed the very first senior football game ever – to be played under lights at this 135 year old ground. They’ll run on to the song, wear the jumper with pride, and delight us all with undying efforts to prevail by the final siren.

Be there tonight from 7.00pm to celebrate this amazing milestone.

(And if you’re unlucky enough not to be able to make it, don’t stress. Just follow the links from the VAFA website or VAFA Facebook page and catch every moment on the live stream.)

Fitzroy-ACU Senior Women’s v West Brunswick
Brunswick Street Oval
Friday 14 June
7.30pm

Mystery Games Night

You won't want to miss Fitzroy’s traditional Mystery Games Night in the Community Rooms at BSO from 7pm on Saturday 22 June.

It’s a night of fun and games run by the players but we can’t give too much away. You're invited to join the extravaganza and $50 will buy you a ticket in the BIG game.

You can purchase tickets online. Your ticket price will include the games, your first three drinks, finger food, tea and coffee and music. Beer, wine and soft drinks will be at our usual bar prices.

This is a great night for close friends of the Fitzroy family, so get your ticket and join us on Saturday 22 June. There's some big prizes to be won. Book now!

Saturday 22 June
7.30pm

Remembering Sir Doug Nicholls

Fitzroy Football Club harked back to its roots as the club where Joe Johnson was the first Aboriginal man to play football at the highest level and where Sir Doug Nicholls played in the 1930s. In recognition of this proud history, we hosted a special event for Reconciliation Week, coinciding with the AFL’s second week of Indigenous Round celebrations.

Building on a long tradition at the Fitzroy Juniors, Fitzroy and Parkdale Vultures senior men were lucky enough to take part in a smoking ceremony conducted by Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle Ron Jones, before the start of the Premier B clash at Brunswick Street Oval.

Earlier in the day, Uncle Ron gave a Welcome to Country and the gathered lunch crowd heard from Glenn James OAM, Yorta Yorta man and former VFL umpire, who spoke about his experiences as an Indigenous man adjudicating our great game. Glenn also told some stories about the early life of fellow Yorta Yorta man, Sir Doug Nicholls, after whom the AFL Indigenous Round is named.

Glenn has recently taken up the role of team manager for Fitzroy’s Under 23s. Dare we say the most overqualified team manager in the VAFA!

It was a special day in honour of a man who has done so much for Fitzroy, for football and for his people.

Thank you to Parkdale Vultures and the umpires for taking part in the ceremony and thank you to Uncle Ron for correctly predicting the winner!

Razor sharp as the Big V powers to a huge win

In what was a big, big win for the VAFA Big V women’s team last week, Fitzroy’s Teresa Zampaglione showed she can step up in a big, big game. With all her silky skills on display, Razor was named equal best on ground in a stand out performance. Well done Razor, everyone at Fitzroy’s stocked for you.

Huge thanks to club photographer Peter Harrison who was there to catch our star in action.

Now it’s over to the Roy Boys...
Congratulations to three of our senior men who’ve made the initial VAFA B-D4 squad. If and when they make the cut for the final selection, captain and midfielder Julian Turner, backman Max Ellis, and forward Nathan Jumeau will have a lot to live up to after Razor’s recent stunning performance!

A few questions answered

Ok, so a few sensitivities were affected on the back of the loss to Old Geelong. What needed to be said, was said, and if you're in any doubt re-read 'Away from Home Truths' in the previous edition and see if the message wasn't clear enough. You should have seen the unabridged version. What was vital in this game was to see a player response against the Parkdale Vultures, who were ready to have a crack at a potentially rotting carcass.

Six big changes. In came Kyroussis, Turner, Symons and Wright all returning from injury, O'Donnell from the operating table or a conference, and Nino Lazzaro from a concussion-enforced lay off at Essendon. Out went Brazier for his Northern Blues debut, Henderson, Lambert, Zaghis, Bottomley and Borland. On the ledger overall, a bit more muscle and composure, and the Lazzaro factor. We knew that we would be challenged in this game. The big, big question in everyone's minds was how we would respond when challenged.

The 2s were fantastic, three on the trot now I think, and importantly they came from behind at half time to win. Individual performances and the pressure this puts on spots in the Seniors is healthy. Well done so far, after what could have been a destructive start to the season.

Nino created an immediate presence with a clunker up forward for our first after some superb bull-like clearance work from Bill Clayton. We were laying on heavy tackles, plenty of endeavour, but even early in the game you could feel everyone collectively asking the question raised above. Another couple of great marks to the Italian Stallion, and dead-eye dick accuracy for goals. We conceded a couple of goals from turnovers, but our tackling had an edge to it. Emile Pavlich was displaying fearless aggression, and Matt K and Tom O'D were adding metal to the structure. A goal up at the siren, a push and shove brawl, and an inevitable withdrawal from the bank accounts of both clubs.

The coach stressed the need to corral their runners out of defence, we needed to pin them in. Provide a heavy balance behind the footy. Be aware! Positivity flowing. Can we keep it up?

They lifted at the start of the second and kicked the first. Sustained forward line pressure, and a smart pass from the Wrecking Ball Laidlaw found Big Bill perfectly positioned for a goal. Nathan Ligris was defending stoutly, using the ball beautifully, and combining effectively with The Doc. I reckon we were showing a greater involvement in the heavy contest, they favoured the outside, a classic confrontation. Our biggest failing was that a great passage of play would conclude with a sloppy kick or handball, the last link in the chain was the defect. To reiterate and emphasise the point, Pavlich then capped off a power of work for a snapped goal in the shadows of half time. 35-28 our way, and with the bank account emptied, there was no blue after the siren.

It occurred to me early in the third that Martin Deasey is an interesting Fitzroy case study. Much more tape on the joints this week, the occasional error, but possessed of ruthless will to win. The Vultures edged to within 3 points despite all our heavy lifting, the Claytons playing like there is no tomorrow, which, in a football sense is kinda true. As Dylan once sang, 'Tomorrow Is A Long Time’.

Then Nino kicked the goal of the game, a spectacular chase-down, a give and receive, smart kick for a sausage. As the more elderly gentleman behind me in the stand remarked –“wonderful football”. (More elderly than me anyway, which is saying something). Luke Baker then emerged to take a strong pack mark and goal, an upfield to Nino for another, and we were 20 points up at the final break.

I stood next to Ross 'The Viking' at the huddle. “What do you reckon Rosco?” “Can we not do what we've done the last 3 weeks?”, he retorted. Spot on comrade. I could just hear the coach's delivery: get involved, overlap, connect the footy, but be 'me'. I looked sideways at Max Ellis who was throttling himself while taking in coach instructions. Max was languidly plotting his own course. We all wondered what the next half hour would produce. The question was still to be answered.

A frantic, frenzied opening to the last, a couple of missed opportunities for points, the Vultures launched into an open forward line, a critical one on one, and the case study Deasey reigned supreme to clear meaningfully. Skipper Turner then marked 30 out, calmly goaled, and we were 28 up. Still we asked the question.

Parkdale then kicked 2 out of nowhere, back to 15 points, I wondered whether self-doubt would kick in. I think it might have got to 9. Have we gone defensive too early? We went forward, Will Symons took the game on, terrific offensive running, inland to the top of the square, LAZZARO, YES. A goal, back to 15 points, and then Nathan the Nomad swerved one through after the siren, for a 21-point victory.

Well earned, deserved, a great response to the critique and questions raised in this column last edition. Up yours Guy! The questions were answered.

One more thing. In the 10 games played this year, how many one-on-one contests do you reckon Max Ellis has been involved in? 80, 90, dunno, but a lot. How many do you reckon he's lost? Wouldn't be half a dozen on my reckoning. E Dog is 'The Silent Assassin'.

Guy Gorilla

Taking it easy with Deasey

I was travelling down the road, thinking about my load, I had Martin Deasey on my mind. We bumped into each other at my second home, at the top of Rucker’s Hill. He’s a cult hero, a crowd favourite, with a head I’d like to try and get inside. Roys supporters have noticed a strong elevation in his form, his ability to win one on ones, sure, the occasional blue, but invariably butters up in the contest for a win. Strong latte, half a sugar for him, skinny one for the Gorilla.

Marty turned 23 last Sunday. He is a qualified paramedic, has worked with his builder Dad, and is currently employed landscaping. He lives with his folks down at the Sumner estate. He has an elder brother, and a couple of sisters either side of him age wise. A neighbour of his I’m friends with refers to him as a “good guy, a really nice young bloke”. As if we didn’t know.

Marty has been with the Roys since Under 10, mainly as a defender, but he was quick to tell me he won a B&F with the 14 Greens in the midfield. Apparently, he was bigger then, comparatively speaking. He played in a couple of Colts flags under Monty Stuart and their spiritual leader Phil Davis.

I asked him who his greatest influence was as a young bloke. He found it difficult to answer. Preferring not to personalise, he remarked “I’ve always loved footy, it’s the highlight of my week. Being with my friends, the camaraderie can’t be replicated.”

He sees the club as being in a fantastic position to grow. “Clearly, staying up is the key, but we have a great young group. We have the talent, it’s the lack of experience that has cost us a couple of games. Bakes and Rory would have been invaluable. We need to find some carrots to assist in recruiting ready-made players.” A deep, committed, club thinker.

Deasey’s a huge wrap for Coach Mahoney. “I’ve really appreciated being given the opportunity to have a crack at senior level. The confidence factor. I had some long-term injuries previously, and my coaches then had a set, certain idea of me.” He emphasised the personal aim of always improving his skill set, helping the club to stay up, and him staying in. He’s happy he’s playing the best footy of his career at the moment and credits twice-weekly yoga sessions as being critical in providing a healthy body and mind.

Supporters at the recent Parkdale game will remember one turning-point moment in the last quarter. The Vultures were coming hard at us and launched out of defence into a wide-open forward line. Only Marty and his opponent for a hundred yards (so it seemed). I asked him what was going through his mind at the time. “One on one is the type of footy I love, I was excited by the prospect of winning it, and to hear the crowd on my side was inspiring.” He did win it, we went forward, kicked a goal, a match winner.

Marty’s best mates are the ones he’s come through the juniors with, loves spending time with them. But he’s always happy to embrace the new blokes. “We’re all pretty tight.” He loves his holidays, south east Asia, Mexico at the beginning of this year, he’s always active, loves exercise.

But above all, loves his club. “It’s such a great club to be part of.” With players like Martin Deasey at its core, Fitzroy will continue to progress the way it is.

Guy Gorilla

Major Raffle – buy early, buy often!

Fitzroy's annual raffle is even better in 2019.

The 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

Sign up to sponsor your favourite player

Each year the Fitzroy senior coaches and leadership groups nominate senior male and female players they believe would benefit from sponsorship.

A sponsorship means our best players – or those who perhaps need a bit more support – have the cost of their subs covered, which enables them to go out and represent our club to the best of their abilities.

If you've been a player sponsor in past years or have agreed to be so in 2019, thank you for your support.

If you'd like to support a player this year – in either senior squad – it's not too late to take out Player Sponsorship. All you need to do is click on the Player Sponsorship section on the club website – click here or copy and paste this URL: https://www.fitzroyfc.com.au/sponsorship/categories

Alternatively you can email Rob Olney at sponsorhip@fitzroyfc.com.au and he can assist you.

Your support is greatly appreciated by the nominated players and by the club.

Rotary brings us a musical lunch with a difference

Fitzroy Rotary will hold its annual pre-game lunch on Saturday 22 June at Brusnwick Street Oval before Fitzroy plays host to the Monash Blues.

And this lunch will feature the musical talents of one of our close neighbours and suspporters, Dobe Newton.

Fitzroy Rotary has had a partnership with Fitzroy Football Club for 12 years, providing Leadership Scholarships to some of the best players and leaders at the club. Over that same period the Fitzroy Victoria Bowls Club has hosted and supported Fitzroy Rotary and been an annual substantial sponsor of Fitzroy Football Club.

What better way to acknowledge that community triangle than a lunch featuring the President of the bowls club Dobe Newton OAM. Dobe is also President of the Australian Country Music Association and the co-author of the song that could easily be our national anthem - "We are Australian". With Indigenous Rugby League players leading the push for some changes to the national anthem, perhaps the solution is to make the change to what has become the unofficial version.

Who knew we had such talent right next door. If you're lucky he might even sing a few songs for us.

Join Fitzroy Rotary for a lunch with a difference.

Tickets are on sale now.

Get your cakes in the oven!

Fitzroy will host its annual afternoon tea at half time in the game against Old Scotch on Saturday 29 June.

This weekend's games

Fitzroy-ACU Senior Women v West Brunswick – VAFA Premier Women’s – Brunswick Street Oval, 7.30pm, Friday 14 June
Fitzroy Under 23s v Old Xaverians – VAFA Under 23s – Ramsden Street Oval, 9.20am, Saturday 15 June
Old Haileybury v Fitzroy Reserve Men – VAFA Premier B Reserves – Princess Park, Bambra Rd, Caufield, 11.40am, Saturday 15 June
Fitzroy-ACU Reserve Women v West Brunswick – VAFA Premier Reserve Women’s – Ramsden Street Oval, 12.00pm, Saturday 15 June
Old Trinity v Fitzroy Thirds – VAFA Thirds Division 1 – Hudson Oval, Trinity Playing Fields, 12.10pm, Saturday 15 June
Fitzroy Under 19s v Beaumaris – Holmesglen U19 Division 1 – Ramsden Street Oval, 2.00pm, Saturday 15 June
Old Haileybury v Fitzroy Senior Men – VAFA Premier B Seniors – Princess Park, Bambra Rd, Caufield, 2pm, Saturday 15 June

Teams for this weekend