Destiny in our own hands

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.

Online orders can be made here https://www.fitzroyfc.com.au/merchandise/fitzroy-supporter-gear

Choose from the following items:

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

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

How happy will you make a lucky Fitzroy fan this Christmas? Get your orders in now.

This weekend's games

PRELIMINARY FINAL: Fitzroy Thirds v De La Salle – VAFA Thirds Division 1 – Glenhuntly Oval, Caufield, 11.20am, Saturday 24 August
Beaumaris v Fitzroy Reserve Men – VAFA Premier B Reserves – Banksia Reserve, 11.40am, Saturday 31 August
Beaumaris v Fitzroy Senior Men – VAFA Premier B Seniors – Banksia Reserve, 2pm, Saturday 31 August

Teams for this weekend