The equation is pretty simple: one game, one win. That’s what’s
in front of the Senior Men’s side as they head to Beaumaris
tomorrow.
Beaumaris has everything to play for too – it is the 200th game
of their captain, Matt Petering, and they have to win to go
into the Premier B top four.
Despite Fitzroy’s come-from-behind win on Saturday, Old Geelong
put the cat amongst the pigeons – or the Tigers –
last weekend by causing the upset against St
Bede’s. This not only kept Fitzroy in the relegation zone,
but it put Beaumaris in striking distance of the
four.
These are the result that hurt when you haven’t quite
won enough of your own games. But we can rectify that this
weekend.
Beaumaris won the previous meeting at BSO by five
points. It was, in many senses, the one that got away. Let’s
not have that happen twice.
In the words of the coach, last week’s final home game for
2019, represented something of a changing of the guard. It
was a win built on the back of a huge effort from the senior
players as the young brigade really stepped up and played
their part.
It was a hot contest all day against Old Hailebury and that
was to be expected with so much on the line.
Fitzroy’s effort was strong and consistent but as usually
goes with a team under pressure, disposals were rushed. Old
Haileybury led narrowly early with both sides struggling with
the flukey wind. At quarter time the Bloods led 2.4.16 to 1.5.11.
In the second quarter Fitzroy kept the visitors goalless,
but it was a moment not long before half time which stood out.
Fitzroy’s number 44,
Emile Pavlich, was knocked out in an incident that went to
the tribunal this week. He was on the ground for some time
being attended to by trainers from both clubs and Fitzroy player,
Dr Tom O’Donnell, and once stretchered off went to hospital
by ambulance.
The player involved was suspended during the week for four
weeks after being referred straight to the tribunal.
Both clubs were fined for the melee which followed.
(Note: Pav is doing much better now and despite not playing tomorrow went along to team selection on Thursday night to bring his usual enthusiasm to proceedings.)
Old Haileybury seemed to gather themselves the better after
the long break and using the wind advantage kicked five goals
for the quarter to leave Fitzroy with the challenging task
of needing a win from 10 points behind at three quarter time.
It seems the rest of the game was really just an entree for
the final quarter. It had a bit of everything but overall just
a determined team performance with the players delivering on
the coach’s instructions at three quarter time to kick it long
into the pocket.
Two big kicks in the first minutes from Max Ellis and Matty
Kyroussis, saw the first long-range goal as the ball passed
the outstretched hand of Jack Dalton; four points in it!
The scores see-sawed and there were so many great team and
individual moments.
Jack Hart – best on ground
– and Luke Baker were doing the hard yards in the ruck. There
was a steely determination personified by Donovan Toohey, Sean
Laidlaw and Ellis -- they were not going to let this one get
away. Ellis’s continued to put on a display of superior intercept
marking, well supported by Jock Green, J Lo and Deasey on the
last line.
Nathan Jumeau took some clutch marks in the forward line and
kicked truly; two goals to him.
Harrison Grace and Darcy Lowrie were going in hard and getting
themselves into good positions to help their teammates.
Ligga’s radar by foot and hand seemed to be back on track,
creating the space for his teammates ahead; perhaps the new
boots have been worn in!
Half way through the quarter and still less than a goal down,
it was tense on the sidelines and in the grandstand. The crowd’s
voice grew.
20 mins in, Sunny Brazier – double teamed most of the day
– put Fitzroy in front only to have the lead reversed a minute
later by Haileybury’s Mark Zanotti look alike.
A minute later again, we were back in front with a tumbling
captain’s goal from Julian Turner, created from a turnover
by the canny Dalts on the wing – that man was everywhere –
with some excellent linking play by Lowrie and Gus Richardson.
As Luke Mahoney said after the game, this was a win where
the talented kids showed what they’ve got. An exciting future
awaits.
With five mins to go
it was another great passage of play along the wing, starting
with Matty K, which had the ball sailing long into the forward
line for Sunny to run on and kick his second goal, beating
his two opponents. Breathing space; nine points up.
Hearts were in the mouth as the ball sailed back to the Bloods’
goal mouth multiple times with last line efforts from our back
six just superb.
Sunny took another contested mark and thought he had sealed
the deal, only to have the goal denied. 10 points the margin;
2 minutes to play.
A mark just before the siren from Harrison Grace gave him
the honour of a shot and goal to put a stamp on the win; 11.17.83
to 9.13.67. We’re still alive.
Everyone played their
role. It’s been a pretty straightforward formula this year
– when the team can come off the ground saying everyone played
their role, the win has usually been the result.
The crowd also played a huge role on Saturday as
acknowledged by both coaches after the game.
So it will be hugely important that a big Roys’ crowd
heads along to Banksia Reserve tomorrow and shows
support for these young men as they do their level best to
hang onto a B grade spot.
Don’t forget, it’s a pretty straight line from Elsternwick Park
for the 9.20am Thirds prelim final, across to Beaumaris
for the Ressies and Seniors; our own version of Super
Saturday.
Thirds take two in the prelim
The Thirds will need to take the long way into a grand final,
having come unstuck against Caufield last weekend. But
they will bounce back for tomorrow’s Preliminary Final when
they face De La Salle at Elsternwick Park.
In their biggest loss of the year, the Thirds suffered their
second defeat in two weeks as raging flag-favourites
Caufield put them to the sword at Glenhuntly Oval. The
final score was 13.13.91 to 4.9.33.
The result pits them against rivals De La Salle, the side
that put them out of last year’s preliminary final in a thriller.
This year it will be Fitzroy which goes in as the narrow
favourite, with the most recent meeting
between the teams a one-point win to Fitzroy in
Round 10.
De La Salle bring in good form, having soundly defeated Monash
Blues in their semi-final, and Fitzroy will need
to turn things around quickly.
Neither the loss nor the pressure will upset our seasoned
Thirds team. They know what needs to be done this
week.
This is a great day out in the Bayside area for
Fitzroy fans. Start your day at Elsternwick Park
at 9.20 for the Thirds and then head to Beaumaris. Don’t forget,
the VAFA has an admission fee for finals, so for adults the
tickets are $10 and $5 for concession.
A 267-point turnaround for the Ressies
They say a week is a long time in football and never a truer
saying was there to better sum up the seven days between games
for the Roys’ Men’s Ressies.
With large numbers at the ground after a special junior football
friendly played beforehand, the Roys ran out to their biggest
audience of the season determined to put on a show for the
home crowd at BSO.
There were plenty of scoring attempts in the opening quarter,
but kicking behinds dominated and 2.8.20 for the opening term
was not an ideal start against Old Haileybury. Would this inaccuracy
prove costly as the game wore on?
The second quarter saw Fitzroy straighten up and use the ball
much more effectively, but while they still did not take full
advantage of their around the ground dominance, the boys took
a lead of just under 40 points into the rooms at the main break.
Sensing that their opponents had tired early, the Roys put
the pedal to the metal and took complete control of proceedings.
An eight goal to nil third quarter was followed by another
eight goals in the final, with Old Haileybury kicking more
in the final quarter than they had all day.
From a 140-point loss to Caufield to a 127-point victory over
the Bloods is a massive turnaround in anyone’s books and shows
the spirit and belief that the group holds. Well over 60 players
have represented the Roys Ressies this season, the equivalent
of playing 3 different sides within the 1 team. What a credit
to Coach Bernie Carter and his team assistants to keep working
on improving the boys and molding the team, knowing that it
will often be a vastly different 22 taking the field from one
week to the next.
One week to go and let’s see if the boys can make it two in
a row and knock off Beauy.
Go Roys!
Mooka leads list of 50-gamers
Proving that silence can indeed be golden, RedRoy pays tribute to three quiet achievers whose feats on the field speak volumes.
As we prepare to play our final round for season 2019 RedRoy
spoke to our senior coaches about three Roy stars who’ll be
celebrating 50 games with Fitzroy against Beaumaris tomorrow.
Mitch Bottomley is a player who exemplifies the team values
Fitzroy holds so dear, happily switching between the Seniors
and Reserves as the need arises.
In Bernie Carter’s estimation Mitch is a quiet achiever who
just goes about his business without fanfare, doing his job,
not seeking the limelight.
“When he’s playing in the 2s Mitch is someone I know I can
rely on to provide instructions from the backline and use his
experience to help the younger guys in the team,” Bernie says.
“And quiet and calm as he is he’s always willing to share
his thoughts on the game, and what we can do to improve and
get the win. And leading by example by maintaining his skills
under pressure.”
You won’t get any argument from Senior Coach Luke Mahoney
who goes on to provide some specifics about Mitch’s game and
status at the Roys.
“Mooka’s a popular teammate and renowned for having a very
reliable kick,” Luke says. And he reads the game really well.”
After requesting a shift to the backline last year and winning
the best and fairest for the Reserves in a premiership year,
Mitch has proved to Luke that you can teach an old dog new
tricks.
“This season Mooka broke into the senior side on the back
of his consistent performances down back providing plenty of
run off half back,” Luke says.
Jimmy Miller and Joshua Robinson are two of the younger guys
who’ve benefited from Mitch’s leadership and who’ll be running
out to celebrate their 50th games with him this weekend. Bernie
attributes them with the same quiet, calm demeanour Mitch displays.
“Jimmy’s a very quiet guy,” says Bernie, “always respectful
and willing to take feedback.
“He has excellent skills and works really hard during a game
and, despite injury challenges over the past two years, always
fronts up to training, always working to improve.”
Bernie reckons Josh, in his first season of senior footy,
is very much like Jimmy, very quiet with great skills, and
having fitted well into the team, played some great games.
“Watching him stream down the wing in full flight is quite
a sight and he loves a goal as well. He’s someone I’m looking
forward to seeing play and develop in the years to come.”
With such experience and youth combined, this trio of 50-games
gives us all great heart for a success-filled future.
Go Roys!
Bookings open for Redlow 2019
Book now for the Fitzroy
Football Club's biggest night of the year as the best and fairest
players for all seven teams are announced.
It's also a great opportunity to thank volunteers, sponsors,
coaches, parents and teammates who have put in a huge effort
throughout a long, hard season. And to celebrate what it means
to be part of a community football club.
Freelance writer and PhD in sport and gender, Kasey Symons,
will be our new MC for the night, after her star-turn at our
recent women's football lunch.
We're amping up the sound and making sure everyone will have
a good night.
Frock up and join the fun.
Where: The Regal Ballroom, 216 High Street, Northcote
When: Friday 4 October, 6.30pm
Tickets: $110 which includes three courses (two
courses and dessert platters) and a five hour drinks package
until 11.30pm. Tables of up to 10 can be booked.
Bookings will close on Friday 20 September. Book here.
Raffle prize goes to one surprised Lions' fan
It took two phone calls
from President Joan Eddy for first prize winner in our major
raffle, Marilyn Evans, to realise it wasn’t a prank. She had
indeed won tickets to the full Toyota AFL Finals Series!
Fitzroy’s major raffle for 2019 was drawn following the win
over Old Haileybury at Brunswick Street Oval on Saturday evening.
Marilyn, a Lions fan who only recently moved to back to Melbourne
from Queensland with husband Peter to be closer to grandchildren,
has won tickets for two to every game in the 2019 Toyota AFL
Finals Series (including the Grand Final), generously donated
by the Brisbane Lions (GFAFL19/49).
Marilyn purchased the ticket from our own volunteer extraordinaire,
Louise Maniatakis, at a recent Fitzroy museum open day at Docklands.
The second prize of a beautiful 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 autographed by the great Kevin Murray, went to
Eddie Creaney of Mulgrave, a big footy fan (a Saints supporter)
and daughter of Ellen, who runs our annual afternoon tea at
Fitzroy. This treasured piece of Fitzroy memorabilia was donated
by Director David Leydon who also commissioned the fabulous
framing.
Ez Yiap of Universal Traveller (pictured with Director Rob
Olney) was on hand to draw the winning tickets and the lucky
winner of third prize – a Universal Traveller $500 travel voucher
– went to Kyle George, businessman and footballer in the Wimmera,
and nephew of Fitzroy Treasurer, Michael Smale.
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors who make this possible,
particularly the Brisbane Lions for their donation and to Universal
Traveller.
A huge debt of thanks is owed to Helen Manoli who ran the
raffle this year, with the expert advice and support of Directors
David Leydon, Michael Pickering and Gabrielle Murphy. Thanks
also to Louise – it’s no wonder she sold the winning ticket;
she probably sold more than anyone else!
Thanks also to all of our players who sold tickets and all
of our supporters who bought them. This is the club's major
annual fundraiser and it's just so important that we do well
with it.
A great result all round.
1st Prize – ticket 3117 – Marilyn Evans
2nd Prize – ticket 241 – Eddie Creaney
3rd Prize – ticket 1045 – Kyle George
Unders hang up the boots for 2019
It's been a big season
for the Under 19s and the Under 23s, who played their final
games last Saturday.
Both teams went down, with the Under 23s getting very close
- just eight points the margin against St Bernards.
It was another fast start for Fitzroy, out to a 26 point lead
at quarter time with the breeze, before St Bernard's halted
the momentum and steadied. Despite poor kicking for goal, their
second half was enough to get them home 7.16.58 to Fitzroy's
7.8.50.
Dan O'Connor kicked two goals and it's great to see one Aiden
Burke, recently back in the fold, was amongst the best players
along with Oliver Read and James Gosling.
It was a close tussle at Brindisi Street until three quarter
time and then the Fitzroy Under 19s were blown away by the
Tigers who kicked six goals to one in the final quarter.
Having led out strongly with a three goal to one first quarter,
Fitzroy just failed to regain that early momentum.
With St Bede's kicking poorly, the three quarter time score
was 4.10.34 to 5.4.34.
In fact it was not just six goals, but 6.7 scored by the home
team in the last stanza - all one way traffic.
St Bede's/Mentone was just too strong on the run home, with
a finals spot as their motivation, and if the pics are anything
to go by it was a very willing contest with neither side taking
a backward step. The final score was 10.17.77 to 6.4.40.
For the Roys, Jonathan Zapantis and Hugh Mitchell kicked two
goals each, while Matt Holgate continued a late run of excellent
form to be best for Fitzroy.
See you at the Redlow boys. It will be very interesting to
see who takes top honours with quite a few Under 19s having
made a strong impression and pushing for senior selection this
year.
Thank you again to Peter Harrison, who has kept us supplied
with fantastic Under 19 photos all year, even after son Cal
went down with injury. We're looking forward to seeing Cal
back fitter and stronger next season.
Richmond honours Homecoming Hero 'Pickers' at the MCG
There were plenty of
Fitzroy fans at the MCG on Saturday as the Brisbane Lions tested
their premiership credentials against the Tigers in the final
round of AFL home and away games.
They were expecting some Lions action, but they weren't expecting
to see former Richmond great and former Fitzroy senior coach,
Michael Pickering, up on the big screen as he did a lap of
honour.
In fact in news our Director Player Wellbeing kept very quiet,
Pickers was the Tigers' final 2019 Homecoming Hero. Highlights
of his career were played on the screens as the former Vice
Captain and Jack Dyer Medallist quietly did his lap.
It says a lot about the man that not one of his fellow Fitzroy
Directors had any idea this was happening until they saw a
familiar face staring back at them.
Congratulations Pickers. What a star. If you want to check
out more about Pickers' career and see some of the highlights'
reel, check out this story on the Richmond website.
New Fitzroy supporter gear now available online
Already some of the most popular supporter gear in Melbourne
is running low, but don't worry we've ordered more stock.
Fitzroy’s number 44,
Emile Pavlich, was knocked out in an incident that went to
the tribunal this week. He was on the ground for some time
being attended to by trainers from both clubs and Fitzroy player,
Dr Tom O’Donnell, and once stretchered off went to hospital
by ambulance.
Jack Hart – best on ground
– and Luke Baker were doing the hard yards in the ruck. There
was a steely determination personified by Donovan Toohey, Sean
Laidlaw and Ellis -- they were not going to let this one get
away. Ellis’s continued to put on a display of superior intercept
marking, well supported by Jock Green, J Lo and Deasey on the
last line.
With five mins to go
it was another great passage of play along the wing, starting
with Matty K, which had the ball sailing long into the forward
line for Sunny to run on and kick his second goal, beating
his two opponents. Breathing space; nine points up.
Everyone played their
role. It’s been a pretty straightforward formula this year
– when the team can come off the ground saying everyone played
their role, the win has usually been the result.
Proving that silence can indeed be golden, RedRoy pays tribute to three quiet achievers whose feats on the field speak volumes.
Book now for the Fitzroy
Football Club's biggest night of the year as the best and fairest
players for all seven teams are announced.
It took two phone calls
from President Joan Eddy for first prize winner in our major
raffle, Marilyn Evans, to realise it wasn’t a prank. She had
indeed won tickets to the full Toyota AFL Finals Series!
It's been a big season
for the Under 19s and the Under 23s, who played their final
games last Saturday.
There were plenty of
Fitzroy fans at the MCG on Saturday as the Brisbane Lions tested
their premiership credentials against the Tigers in the final
round of AFL home and away games.
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