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
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.
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.
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.”
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.
