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Welcome back to BSO for a triple header

It feels like we've been away forever!

Tomorrow Fitzroy is back home at Brunswick Street Oval for a men's triple header and another game under the bright lights as part of our Jellis Craig Round.

The Seniors and Ressies will be lining up for the grand final replay against Old Geelong at the traditional times, while Fitzroy's Thirds team will play the first men's game under lights as they take on rivals, Ajax, starting at 7.30pm.

It promises to be a great day with lots of footy action on field and a huge sellout lunch off it. Literary luminaries Dr Clare Wright, George Megalogenis, Christos Tsiolkas and Dr Chris McConville will keep guests entertained in the lead up to the main game.

There will be an extended post-match celebration after the Senior men's game, in the lead up to the first Saturday night game played at the ground.

Make sure you join us if you can or keep across scores for the day on social media. The results will have a significant bearing on our season's ambition of remaining in B Grade.

Ressies at 11.40am, Seniors at 2pm and Thirds starting at 7.30pm. Go Roys!

Rouge et Noir marquer deau

It was always going to be a tough ask for the Roy Boys as they took on one of the three ladder leaders, Uni Blacks, on their own piece of privileged Carlton. Magnificent club rooms, stately honour boards with many top end luminaries listed, a highly talented playing list. Variable conditions, sunny, but windy, heavy under foot. A wind probably favouring the western end, the end where it was easier to walk to the front bar at Naughton's rather than attend another Economics lecture. Back in the day… ah, those were the days.

Large scale changes since our last game which seemed like about 3 or 4 months ago. Out were the two Claytons, on the continent, Symons in Scandinavia, Jumeau injured way out west, Lazzaro with the Bombers, and Faubel to the 19s. Big, big outs. In came Glen Burns, on debut I think, Dalton, Turner and Baker back from injury, Bernie Wright and Lachie Henderson.

We were under siege for most of the first quarter. They were clearly 'on' for the occasion; memories of last time when they beat us convincingly but came away pretty sore. We had the play for sporadic periods, but our errors and their intensity, led to a 44-8 score line at the break. As I remarked to Ms Gorilla earlier, after three pesky teenagers left the back seat of the new Ford, parked in the disabled spot at the city end: 'Dunno where we're going to find five goals today.' She nodded like she knew. I hoped I was wrong.

The huddle was good. Clarity: we had to slow them down, can't let them play the way they want. The had double the inside 50s. Coach Mahoney's young bloke was keenly focused on the match ups on the whiteboard. A prodigy. Very strong contributor to canteen takings as well; a big strain on the coaching fee. I advised Luke post-game to factor this into his next contract negotiations.

The second requires only brief commentary. It was 58-8 halfway through. Ellis, Ligris, Long and Hart were doing their best to stem the tide, but to no avail. We were scoreless for the quarter, 71-8 at the main break. I didn't go near the change rooms. Snuck in the back way to the $5 arvo tea. Uni boys can't really provide home cooked cakes. Woolworths chocolate cake, lamingtons, party pies, but a very nice ambience, dominated by Fitzroy folk. Stole a few lamingtons – about half a dozen actually.

What would the second half provide? They were dominating the air, the run, their forwards playing to a plan. Like Bob Seger once said, we were 'Against the Wind'. We showed great endeavour for Baker to goal, and were stemming the tide, damning the floodgates, all those other water analogies. Curly O'Donnell got sat on his back, called for an operating table, and instantaneously performed his own recovery operation. Burns kicked a couple out of mid-air, must have done ballet as a youngster. It was two goals to one for the quarter, their way: 89-16.

As is his trait, the coach relied on the positives. Praising Harrison Grace's 10 tackles, he was vibrant, even had a smile on his face as he delivered the pearls. Slow them down, win the quarter, use positive pressure. A constant source of inspiration.

The skipper missed an opportunity for the opener, and the resultant kick-in went end-to-end for a goal. Toohey, who had been at the bottom of most packs, kicked one, and we were bent on aggression and resilience. We seemed to be keen on breaking a tackling record, taking inspiration from the Grace reference. Bernie Wright took a mark, got a 50 and goaled. But in the end, we ran out of gas, certainly not the fight, just the fuel required for the contest. 122-28, not good, but c'est la vie.

It will not be c'est la vie tomorrow against OGS. If you have spare time this week, away from work, study or training, go to a GRUNT shop, and buy a trolley full. Bring it to Brunswick Street, and unload on the enemy. Fierce, ferocious, forever, GRUNT.

Guy Gorilla

Photos by Phyllis Quealy

Roy Girls head into final Premier round

A tough season and two years in the VAFA Premier Women's division come to an end this weekend, but the Fitzroy-ACU team bonds are as strong as ever.

The Fitzroy-ACU teams head to Bulleen tomorrow morning to take on Marcellin in the final game of the VAFA women's season.

With last week's loss to bottom side Melbourne University still stinging, the Senior Roy Girls will be out to play a full four quarters and see if they can translate strong field play to scoreboard pressure.

Last week they welcomed back Erin Gogerly from her VFLW duties and put a strong field on the park. The pattern of the game was somehow familiar this season, but the commitment and effort were strong.

After a promising first quarter – just three points down at the break – the Muggars got on top in the middle part of the game and Fitzroy couldn't find a way to goal. Fitzroy scored again in the final quarter but just couldn't get close enough, finally going down 4.5.29 to 2.4.16.

Gogerly featured in the best players, with Alexa Madden taking top honours, alongside Lucy Kerr, Hannah Martin, Teresa Zampaglione (one goal) and Alex Montiero, who has quietly gone about putting in an excellent season.

Fitzroy-ACU and Melbourne Uni will finish as the last two sides in the Premier Women's competition, which means relegation and a new grade next year for the whole squad.

In the Premier Women's Reserve competition, Melbourne University showed its strengths, keeping Fitzroy scoreless and scoring 3.7.25 in the windy conditions, to maintain second spot on the ladder. Emma Delaney made a welcome return from travel with a strong game, alongside Hannah Coffey, Emily Fitt and Danny Jumeau.

To prepare this week, the squad got together for their annual team colours night (see above) and took in some top tips from guest coach, Collingwood AFLW Assistant coach, Chloe McMillan.

Chloe spoke about tactics, player match ups and how to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent, but the best advice she gave the players was 'back yourself!'.

Best of luck for the final game, Roy Girls. Remember, season 2020 is just around the corner.

To wrap up the season, VAFA CEO Brett Connell has this week written an editorial about the women's competition, which now provides football opportunities for 3000 women each week... and growing. Have a read: http://www.vafa.com.au/editorial-much-to-celebrate-as-near-end-of-womens-season/

Shannon takes the lead on and off the field

Fitzroy-ACU’s journey woman, Shannon Alexander, has just passed the 50 VAFA game milestone and this week notches up 100 games of football – quite an achievement by any measure.

The face of our Pick My Project campaign and a member of the grand final reserves side in 2018, Shannon has this year joined the Fitzroy-ACU leadership group and its been a revelation, mostly to herself!

“Shannon has really embraced the leadership role,” says coach Simon Jackson.

“She’s positive, brings an upbeat energy and is always supportive of her teammates. It’s great to see her step up to that responsibility this year.”

Jacko says Shannon reads the play well from half back and has a strong kick.

We reckon Jacko would be pretty thrilled with Shannon’s faithful recall of his messages about the three phases of play – when they have the ball, when we have the ball and when the ball is in dispute. “That’s when I defend first, but I take the game on. Jacko has given me free reign to do that … to come off my player and turn defence into attack.”

It was a fateful few days at the University Games in Sydney in 2017 when Shannon made the choice to come to Fitzroy.

She had met some of the Roy Girls as part of the ACU squad and despite tearing her ACL in the bronze medal game, thought to herself “this club is a good fit for me. The girls are great and the uniform is great too! I thought ‘F… it, why not Fitzroy’.”

Shannon did her recovery and then started with Fitzroy-ACU last year. Shannon’s football career – “a complicated football journey” – started in her home town of Ballarat, where she played for Ballarat Youth Girls aged 17 and 18. She then had stints at Ballarat Swans and Lake Wendouree clubs. As a Youth Girl, Shannon was selected in the TAC Rebels squad and along the journey met the coach of the Geelong Women’s VFL side and was asked to come along and play at Geelong. “It was very scary playing at that level but I’m glad I challenged myself to do it. It was a very high standard and I learnt a lot.”

Before coming to Fitzroy, Shannon also played in VWLF with Golden Point and Redan.

Shannon, who is a graduate nurse at The Austin hospital in cardiology and thoracics, just loves footy. “It’s the greatest sport in the world. It’s just very enjoyable. You can have fun, but it has a huge competitive element – and I like to win and do well. I like the teamwork; working together to get the results.

“On field I’ve always been vocal and encouraging, it’s very natural to me. But now I’m in the leadership team I had to ask myself ‘how do I take that into the off-field role, to get the best out of others?’

“So, I challenged myself to be more involved off field. It’s taught me I can do it! My speeches have definitely become better. You don’t know until you try. And everyone has been so encouraging and supportive of me. Fitzroy has great people.”

In a tough season, it’s so refreshing to hear about the positivity within the group and Shannon’s perspective of what’s next for a squad about to face relegation.

“Sometimes failing together allows you to bring one another back up.

“I think we’re a very resilient group. The more we stick together and play for each other, we will grow and improve. I see the promise. It’s very positive and encouraging and if we take the small wins it will happen. It’s just so close.

“Great things don’t happen overnight. It’s been a long season, but we’re a tough group and we will make it work.

“I’d really love a win this weekend!”

And we’d love it too, Shannon. Congratulations on your milestones. Fitzroy does have great people and you are one of them. Go Roy Girls!

Around the grounds...

Last week's big winners were the Thirds, who gave their opponent, De La Salle a big head start and then stormed home with the last five goals of the game to win by one point.

What a great way to lead into tomorrow night's big clash with Ajax at BSO.

The Fitzroy boys would admit they were very, very lucky as De La was wayward with the goal kicking, resulting in a final scoreline of 6.16.52 to 8.5.53.

Daniel Beacom with three and Kai Menzies with two goals, led the attack. Tom Grbac, Gizzy Mills and Menzies were recognised for their efforts by coach Trent Coleman.

The narrow win keeps the pressure on Caufield, which holds top spot by percentage only.

The Under 19s played a more disciplined brand of football this week at Ramsden Street but went down to second side Mazenod, 8.9.57 to 12.10.82.

Hugh Mitchell kicked two goals, with the rest shared around, and Marcel Laidlaw continued his strong season, taking out the Student Flights best on ground award.

Giving away a six goal to nil first quarter was probably not the way coach Tony Keehan (pictured above) would have wanted the Under 23s to start the day against Old Brighton on Saturday.

However, he would have been thrilled by the effort and energy in the fightback, reducing the margin from 40 at the first break to 16 points at the end of the day.

At a wild and windy Brighton Beach Oval, hats off to home team forward Jack Rutter with six goals! For Fitzroy, Dan O'Connor kicked two and Paul Vassilacos was best on ground.

Tomorrow both Unders teams play away at the 2pm time slot.

Photo of the Under 23s (above) by Ellie Mitsch.
Photos of the Under 19s (below) by Peter Harrison.

Mel, mum, mentor, model – marvellous!

Mel Story is Assistant Coach of the Fitzroy Under 19s. She is also Vice President and Under 15s coach at Northcote Junior Football Club.

She has three boys; two play at Northcote with mates, and the eldest Tom is a young buck with our 19s. She is also completing a Dual Diploma in Sports Development and Leadership and Management at RISL through Richmond Football Club, hoping it will open up opportunities to build on her sports coaching background. My question was: 'Where the bloody hell do you get the time?'

It's a big juggle most of the time – a teenage family, with a commitment to meals at proper times, getting to places, homework and so on. She sets the boys and herself short term goals, accomplish the accomplishable, build on your life skills.

Mel came to the Roys in Tom's Auskick days, was always a parent helper, then became a line coach in his Colts time. This year she was waiting to see who would be appointed coach of the 19s and when Monty Stuart got the job, she was quickly at the keyboard offering her services. She mentors, nourishes, insists on positive relationships, and 'attempts to look after the forwards'. Being positive in everything she does. She is not from a playing background, although she had a crack with the Roys last year. A crack, no – a long-term Lisfranc injury. Moon boot the result.

She sees challenges realistically in her role. Big on individual development, reading moods, assessing niggles and the possibility of the big night out, she asks questions and helps the Roy Boys find solutions. Mel doesn't have a 'win at all costs mentality', is more on development, 'it's not just skill, it's personal development. You apply the same football principles to the workplace, family, relationships, travel. Football and the club can provide that.'

Into the future, she wants to extend her coaching experience, work with development, foster pathways. Interestingly, she has only ever coached boys. A couple of noteworthy observations: 'I am often referred to as the Team Manager by the opposition.' We as a club, as a society, must change that stereotype. Mel makes a beeline for the opposition coach at the end of the game to engage in conversation, let them know who she is and what she does. Proudly, and educationally. She wants them to understand.

Also, think about how elite, and not so elite, female football is overwhelmingly male coached in the current environment. That must change.

'I want my boys to know that if they interact with a female in a traditional male domain, the female should be valued. And I don't mean just my boys, I mean 'my boys' more broadly.' And she hopes to stay involved with Fitzroy into the future.

A person of that pedigree, that enthusiasm, that respect, is someone to be taken seriously.

Guy Gorilla

Photos by Peter Harrison.

New Fitzroy supporter gear goes on sale

New Fitzroy supporter gear is set to hit the market tomorrow.

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

The gear will go on sale at Brunswick Street from tomorrow.

Thank you to Will Zahgis and Rachael Telfer for their oustanding modelling work!

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

Keep an eye on the website for online options.

Save the dates

The social activities continue apace for the Fitzroy Football Club.

Mark the following in your diary and keep an eye out for tickets to go on sale:

Satuday 10 August – Fitzroy IT lunch before the St Bede's Mentone game
Saturday 24 August – Reds Foundation lunch at the final men's home game
Saturday 24 August – drawing of the Fitzroy Major Raffle after the game and a post match function for the players and supporters
Friday 4 October – Redlow.

More details will be coming soon.

Hero or villain? Sometimes it's hard to tell

Was he a hero or was he a villain? We all know what we think of the PTV authorised officers…

Martin Deasey, however, was just on hand with a helpful message ‘When travelling with a Myki, remember to touch on and touch off’.

Let’s hope he wasn’t also responsible for the PSO’s hitting the headlines this week!

In his carefully constructed authorised officer uniform – not to be confused with the behavioural awareness officer version – the quiet, but assured Deasey, took the votes for the best dressed at the Heroes and Villains themed Reds Ball on Saturday night.

The Stranger Things party took out best dressed in the group category.

Parting the ways and healing the injured was Mother Theresa (Razor), there was Monkey (yes, Luke is magic), and there was a President (her name is Joan), the Power Rangers seemed to be multiplying, some Lone Rangers and some Musketeers looked pretty sharp.

In the heroes category, there was a strong theme of Australia’s world-beating sports women, with Elise Perry, Sam Kerr and co entering the venue without fuss (as they would). Nobody saw Ash Barty, but she would want it that way.

The Red Roy’s favourite was Daisy Pearce, complete with Melbourne footy jumper and twins on board; a giant balloon with Sylvie and Roy named in texta on the pregnant belly for good measure. Nice work Freya! There were so many good looks.

Huge thanks to the Red team, led by Julian Turner and Gemma Minuz, for all their organising, decorating and wrangling. You’re our heroes! Special mention also to Mike Humphries for sorting the DJ and equipment for the night. Great team effort.

Major Raffle – you could see every finals game!

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

This weekend's games

Marcellin v Fitzroy-ACU Reserve Women – VAFA Premier Reserve Women’s – Bulleen Park West, 9.40am, Saturday 27 July
Marcellin v Fitzroy-ACU Senior Women – VAFA Premier Women’s – Bulleen Park West, 11.40pm, Saturday 27 July
Fitzroy Reserve Men v Old Geelong – VAFA Premier B Reserves – Brunswick Street Oval, 11.40am, Saturday 27 July
Old Xaverians v Fitzroy Under 23s – VAFA Under 23s – Stradbroke Park, 2pm, Saturday 27 July
Old Ivanhoe v Fitzroy Under 19s – Holmesglen U19 Division 1 – Chlesworth Park, 2pm, Saturday 27 July
Fitzroy Senior Men v Old Geelong – VAFA Premier B Seniors – Brunswick Street Oval, 2pm, Saturday 27 July
Fitzroy Thirds v AJAX – VAFA Thirds Division 1 – Brunswick Street Oval, 7.30pm, Saturday 27 July