FLAGS FLY AT BSO It was a special moment at Brunswick Street Oval as Premiership captains Julian Turner (Seniors) and Jack Atkinson (Reserves), joined Fitzroy President Joan Eddy and Vice President Kate Nolan, in the honour of unfurling the 2018 Premier C premiership flags off the side of the heritage grandstand in front of a large crowd. Thank you to everyone who came along to see our first premiership flags of the modern Fitzroy era. #FitzroyForever #Premiers2018
Join us for tomorrow's Anzac commemorations
Join Fitzroy and Caufield Grammarians teams, VAFA Umpires
and the Fitzroy community as we honour our fallen during
Anzac Round.
Tomorrow at Brunswick Street Oval the teams will gather
on field for The Ode to the Fallen Soldier, The Last
Post performed live and a minute’s silence at approx
1.50pm. Please join us for this special moment.
At half time the club will honour its fallen at the
sportsman's memorial at Edinburgh Gardens which was
beautifully done up last year. The memorial is between
Brunswick Street Oval and the Fitzroy Victoria Bowling
Sports Club. Everyone is invited to join us for this
short service, which will run over half time in the
main game.
A wreath will be laid and the names of those Fitzroy players who died in serving our country will be read out, along with
a letter back to the club from Jack Cooper, who played 136 games
for Fitzroy and died in 1917.
Help us make this a special day. Lest we forget.
Rouge ou Noir? Les noirs l'emportent
Yeah, yeah, I know,
wanky French, but I had to get your attention somehow. Try
the French to English to get the gist of the translation. Saturday
13 April marked the first time the Roys had played the Uni
Blacks for about 15 years. They came down from A grade a year
or two back, were dotted with players who’d had experience
at higher levels and were clearly a highly skilled and well
drilled outfit. And might I say, highly respectful of our pre
match ceremony and after match speeches.
In the stand during the
2s, I was regularly reminded of our solid supporter base. ‘Cmon
Fitzroy, Carn the Redders’. I bumped into Warwick Green downstairs,
there to see his lanky boy Jock (pictured left with Senior Assistant Coach Michael Manley),
about to make his debut. ‘Jumpy, but keen as mustard’ was how
he described his son’s demeanour. Said a quick hello to two
recently retired Royboys, walking their designer label dogs
through the gardens and in front of the stand. This must be
what you do when you give footy away.
Four compulsory changes for the game, Turner, Kyroussis, Humphrey
and Toohey all injured at Scotch: The Clayton Twins making
a welcome return, Henderson and the aforementioned Green included.
The first quarter was again epitomised by stoic defensive
skills. Emile Pavlich laid a great tackle on the biggest of
their big blokes. Bill Clayton was rucking well, restoring
some size to the contests. The problem was the Blacks were
splitting our defensive zone open, enabling them to score against
the contest we were providing. Sean Laidlaw cleverly snapped
his first after some great link up footy. Stand in skipper
Nathan Ligris was Ian Stewart-like with his raking left shoe
and set up Pavlich for our second.
The coach was confident and optimistic at the huddle. 5 goals
to 2 was not a reflection of general play. We needed to hinder
their possession and flow. I reckon our biggest crime was the
final disposal in a chain-we handed the ball back far too often.
This optimism was taken
into the second stanza, surging endeavour everywhere. Will
Symons kicked the goal of the year in front of the pretend
non-drinkers on the hill, bringing rapturous applause. Trouble
was the Blacks continued to pick holes. Ellis, Ligris and O’Donnell
were defensive rocks, the latter especially exquisite with
his timing. I’d feel comfortable with him having scalpel in
hand. Despite controlling the play for extended periods, we
conceded goals too easily, and it was 10 to 3 at the half.
In the third, our mistake level rose, as again, size and class
started to tell. Things were turning to shite, despite the
effort still being there. Sean Laidlaw’s tackle count continued
to rise, he kicked another. All the young dudes, the Claytons,
Hart, Grace, Wright, Green, show promise-they must generate
sustainability of effort, not just content with the little
wins. Rory Patterson snapped a clever goal, but as the coach
put clearly on the line-we were under the pump.
At the start of the
last, Nathan Jumeau snapped a ripper-we were showing flair,
having a crack, and meshed it with sensible defence. It’s clear
that we must build physical strength-tackles are too easily
brushed aside. Try this one on for size-old school I know-
300 push ups a day, 2 thousand a week. Try it before you discard
the notion. Gracey kicked a great goal towards the end, as
young Jock fought off incessant cramp through the matchsticks.
Showed some great poise however did the young tyro.
The faithful were realistic in their appreciation of the effort
as the players exited the arena. In front of everyone, the
coach was inspiring post-match. There was no question of endeavour
or effort. They simply made us pay going back the other way.
We must focus on doing the basics well, the simple things.
Its hard not to be excited by the support and optimism. Stick
at it. And the push ups too!
Jusqu'à la prochaine fois, mes amis Fitzroy.
Guy Gorilla
As Guy followed the on-field action, at lunch the Fitzroy faithful
took a 130+ year lesson thanks to the wit and wisdom
of Peter Hille, who gave everyone a glimpse at the parallels
histories of Fitzroy FC and the Uni Reds and Blacks. The video
is coming soon for those who dare!
Meanwhile, pictured above are: Fitzroy's oldest living player,
Ron Bickley, who also played for the Uni Blacks. This beautiful
shot of Ron looking out to Brusnwick Street Oval, was taken
by Peter Casamento. Centre left is Messr Hille in full flight,
Luke Mahoney talking about our most recent history, the Royal
Derby's Kane Tancredi talking with President Joan Eddy about
his commitment to the club, and bottom left, the magnificant
Rouge et Noir Cup, which unfortunately had to go back to the
Blacks (until the next time we meet!). Go Reds, Go Roys.
One up, one down for Fitzroy-ACU
It was a strong return to form for the Fitzroy-ACU Reserves
side as they took on Kew AFC at Victoria Park, Kew recently.
Last year's grand finalists had a rude awakening in round
1, with a loss to SKOB Saints, but this was more like the form
we've come to expect from this team.
It gives new captain Mia Sutherland (pictured above) a one
from one result, as she took to the field in her new role and
led the team to a 6.13.49 to 1.2.8 victory, kicking one of
the goals herself and played a hand in another.
Calypso Poole, who kicked the memorable, high-pressure goal
out at Williamstown last year, taking the Reserves into the
grand final, was dominant, with three of the team's six goals.
Emily Fitt came back down from the seniors and was best afield,
showing she will continue to push for senior selection. Red
Loughnane and Hannah B Martin were also strong performers in
a win which could have been greater had the goal kicking been
more accurate.
The Senior side is still
looking for a first win of 2019, having gone down to Kew 6.8.44.
to 2.3.15.
Liz Olney and Emma Delaney kicked the goals for Fitzroy-ACU
and vice captain Gemma Minuz made a welcome return to the team
as Fitzroy's best on the day. Hillary Collett and Cass Blake
also performed strongly.
The pressure mounts as the sides head to Melbourne Uni on
Sunday to take on the home side on the Main Oval. The teams
played in the pre-season and Fitzroy looked the stronger on
that day, but it is likely there would have been a fair bit
of change in the side since then. Both teams will be searching
for win number one.
It's a great chance to see the Fitzroy-ACU sides in action
on a Sunday, so head out to the Main Oval if you can and get
behind the Roy Girls. The Reserves start at 9.40 with the Seniors
at 11.40.
Under 23s step out at BSO for the first time
Fitzroy's Under
23s had their first opportunity on Brunswick Street
Oval during Round 2 and the signs were positive for
this new, young group.
After a fairly severe 'welcome to the VAFA' in Round
1, the side showed a fair bit more run and connection,
clearly benefitting from a few more weeks training
together and getting a better understanding of the
game plan.
Given demands on the hallowed turf, this is the only
game the Under 23s will play at BSO this year and they
showed the home crowd that there is plenty to look
forward to.
Old Camberwell proved too strong in the end and won
11.11.75 to 6.9.45, but there was little more than
three goals in it at three quarter time.
Oliver Read and Dan O'Connor kicked two goals each.
Harry Dorat Thorpe, James Gosling and Hugh Mitchell
were the best players.
This week the boys head down the freeway to Donvale
and take on Whitefriars at home. No easy task. Go Roy
Boys.
#DogsofBSO
It’s hard to know whether Fitzroy fans are big dog lovers
or if the walk around Brunswick Street Oval with a
fury friend is the first experience some people have
of our great football club community. Perhaps it's
a chicken and egg thing... or a puppy... nevermind.
Either way there’s a lot of dog love at Brunswick
St and our photographers are having too much fun capturing
their joy.
If you’ve got some shots to rival ours, then tag us
on Facebook or Instagram #DogsofBSO or #DogsofRammo
Photos by Peter Casamento
Save the date: it's time to talk politics with the Reds Foundation
The Reds Foundation will hold its infamous annual political
football lunch, this time perfectly landing on election
day - 18 May.
Get your votes in early and often and join us in the
community rooms for a lunch with comedian Hung Le,
as the curtain raiser for Fitzroy's game against Beaumaris.
More details coming soon and bookings open within
the week. Keep an eye out via this channel and others.
Join the Fitzroy players for their Retro Sports night
It was a favourite
era at Fitzroy... the hair was long and the shorts
were short... come dressed in your tribute to retro
sport as the Fitzroy Football Club players hold their
first players' event for 2019.
The Fitzroy players will be partying at the Royal
Derby Hotel on Saturday 4 May with a retro sports theme.
Choose your era - any era, any sport - but make sure
you're dressed the part.
Drinks and food at bar prices. Party starts at 7.30pm
(with thanks to the Brisbane Lions for this image
of some legendary Roy Boys with their very best hairstyles.)
This weekend's games
Whitefriars v Fitzroy Under 23s – VAFA
Under 23s – Whitefriars College, 11.40am, Saturday
27 April
Fitzroy Thirds v De La Salle – VAFA Thirds
Division 1 – Ramsden Street Oval, 11.40am, Saturday
27 April
Fitzroy Reserve Men v Caufield Grammarians–
VAFA Premier B Reserves – Brunswick Street Oval, 11.40am,
Saturday 27 April
Fitzroy Under 19s v Old Trinity–
Holmesglen U19 Division 1 – Ramsden Street Oval, 2pm,
Saturday 27 April
Fitzroy Senior Men v Caufield Grammarians
– VAFA Premier B Seniors – Brunswick Street Oval, 2pm,
Saturday 27 April
Melbourne University v Fitzroy-ACU Reserve Women – VAFA Premier Reserve Women’s – Main Oval, Uni Melb,
9.40am, Sunday 28 April
Melbourne University v Fitzroy-ACU Senior Women – VAFA Premier Women’s – Main Oval, Uni Melb, 11.40am,
Sunday 28 April
Join us for tomorrow's Anzac commemorations 
Yeah, yeah, I know,
wanky French, but I had to get your attention somehow. Try
the French to English to get the gist of the translation. Saturday
13 April marked the first time the Roys had played the Uni
Blacks for about 15 years. They came down from A grade a year
or two back, were dotted with players who’d had experience
at higher levels and were clearly a highly skilled and well
drilled outfit. And might I say, highly respectful of our pre
match ceremony and after match speeches.
In the stand during the
2s, I was regularly reminded of our solid supporter base. ‘Cmon
Fitzroy, Carn the Redders’. I bumped into Warwick Green downstairs,
there to see his lanky boy Jock (pictured left with Senior Assistant Coach Michael Manley),
about to make his debut. ‘Jumpy, but keen as mustard’ was how
he described his son’s demeanour. Said a quick hello to two
recently retired Royboys, walking their designer label dogs
through the gardens and in front of the stand. This must be
what you do when you give footy away.
This optimism was taken
into the second stanza, surging endeavour everywhere. Will
Symons kicked the goal of the year in front of the pretend
non-drinkers on the hill, bringing rapturous applause. Trouble
was the Blacks continued to pick holes. Ellis, Ligris and O’Donnell
were defensive rocks, the latter especially exquisite with
his timing. I’d feel comfortable with him having scalpel in
hand. Despite controlling the play for extended periods, we
conceded goals too easily, and it was 10 to 3 at the half.
At the start of the
last, Nathan Jumeau snapped a ripper-we were showing flair,
having a crack, and meshed it with sensible defence. It’s clear
that we must build physical strength-tackles are too easily
brushed aside. Try this one on for size-old school I know-
300 push ups a day, 2 thousand a week. Try it before you discard
the notion. Gracey kicked a great goal towards the end, as
young Jock fought off incessant cramp through the matchsticks.
Showed some great poise however did the young tyro.
The Senior side is still
looking for a first win of 2019, having gone down to Kew 6.8.44.
to 2.3.15.
Fitzroy's Under
23s had their first opportunity on Brunswick Street
Oval during Round 2 and the signs were positive for
this new, young group.
It was a favourite
era at Fitzroy... the hair was long and the shorts
were short... come dressed in your tribute to retro
sport as the Fitzroy Football Club players hold their
first players' event for 2019.
