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RedRoy Mail - your update from Fitzroy Football Club.

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There's singing the club song and there's belting it out after a much needed win! The seniors got around Jack Atkinson after his first game and first win in the seniors and a win that puts the team back into the mix to stay in Premier B for 2020. Thanks to our stats volunteer Mattra, for this great video capturing the excitement after the win over Parkdale.

Back in the hunt

With a stirring win over Parkdale, Fitzroy has joined the log-jam of four teams on four wins all battling to avoid relegation and stay in Premier B.

A seven-goal final quarter resulted in a 31-point win after a see-sawing game at Gerry Green Reserve. The final score was 15.12.102 to 9.17.71.

Fitzroy burst out of the gate early with four first-quarter goals but lost the ascendency with a goalless second quarter. The tug of war left Fitzroy with just a four-point buffer going into the final term and a clinical, impressive display, which was based on strong defence, allowed the visitors to take the points for the second time this year.

The back six deserve huge recognition for repelling attack after attack and putting the Vultures under constant pressure, leading to wayward shots at goal when they could take them. Max Ellis and Tom O’Donnell just continue to excel, and Jack Hart was outstanding.

In the middle of the ground, Max Davie was working incredibly hard to get the ball going Fitzroy’s way and earned the votes from his coach for an outstanding 16 tackles and the enormous pressure he applied all day.

The addition of Reserves captain Jack Atkinson, who had played an incredible 100+ reserves games before his first senior call up on Saturday, provided an extra hard body in the midfield and some more calm leadership experience. It was an inspired selection which he repaid during the game and easily the most enthusiastic rendition of the Fitzroy song this year (see the video above!).

There were two very welcome returns to the side – Will Symons played probably his best game of the season with three goals, including from impossible angles – while Sunny Brazier was a terrier in the forward half despite the attention of his (often two) opponents, kicking three, and Jack Dalton found the big sticks and some form too with three excellent goals.

Darcy Lowrie, who was called up late with the withdrawal of Nathan Jumeau, also performed very strongly and showed glimpses of his silky skills.

It felt pretty good hanging onto the Norm Johnstone Trophy, which was presented to captain Julian Turner after the game.

Fitzroy still sits on the bottom of the ladder, narrowly behind the other sides seeking to stay in Premier B and avoid relegation. It should prove to be a fascinating contest right until the final round! For those who want to check out the ladder, it’s here on the VAFA site. Four teams on four wins and not a lot of percentage separating them.

On a sour note, Martin Deasey was suspended for two weeks – an automatic suspension on receipt of a red card during the game – for unreasonably rough conduct.

A Parkdale player was also suspended for an elbow to the head of Donovan Toohey, picked up in the video review of the game.

It was pretty willing out there!

This weekend is a big challenge. We defeated the Tigers at their home ground earlier in the season in a thrilling contest and they will be keen to repay the favour. As a team sitting in fourth spot and needing to win to stay there, they will give it everything. Fitzroy will need to match the intensity from the start.

Can we win two in a row for the first time in 2019? Join us for the Fitzroy IT game. Go Roys!

Top 10 finish for Phyllis

Our fabulous Phyllis Quealy has finished in the top 10 of the AFL’s #FootyFocus competition judged by AFL Photos chief photographer, Michael Willson, for this shot of Jack Hart and Sunny Brazier after last year’s grand final win. Congratulations Phyllis.

Michael said of this shot: "To me football in its purest form is about bringing people together and this photo captures this perfectly. It's two team mates celebrating a premiership and they are oblivious to everyone else. They're in a moment of celebration together. It's very emotive and powerful." Praise doesn't get much better than that!

Michael also thanked Phyllis for all the shots she'd sent it, many of which he said were worthy of the top 10. If you've seen any of the competition promotions you would have seen that Fitzroy featured quite prominently. Thanks Phyllis! Check out the final top 10 and the winner here.

We have been spoiled for riches this year with more photography across our teams, thanks to the efforts of Phyllis, Peter Harrison (father of Cal) and Ellie Mitsch (ACU student). Not to mention the occasional cameo from Peter Casamento. Check out some of the Fitzroy galleries from this season on our website: https://www.fitzroyfc.com.au/features/gallery

How good are our volunteers!

Quiet achievers notch up wins

There was only one thing that could stop another Thirds win this Saturday and that’s the forfeit – in fact withdrawal from the competition – of the Old Trinity side, which had struggled to field a full team most of the season.

So it’s a rest for the boys and then the big challenge against equal-top Caufield, in what will be the first game of a triple header at Caufield next weekend.

Last week they took care of St Bede’s/Mentone, with a comfortable win 15.13.103 to 6.8.44.

Tom Grbac kicked a fantastic five goals and Tim De Natris kicked three. Grbac, Nick Harding and Nick Curran were named in the best players.

And is that really Whitey in the ruck?

A big shout out to the Under 23s who also notched their fourth win of the season on Saturday against Old Camberwell.

When you think of how things started out for the new side in the first few weeks, their ability to combine as a side and put wins together is a credit to them and their coach Tony Keehan, along with the support crew helping out behind the scenes. They plan to finish off strongly over the remaining three weeks and travel tomorrow to take on Whitefriars.

Otto Ishak and James Gosling led the way in last week’s win and Zac Hancock and Jimmy Miller kicked two goals each. The final score was 11.6.72 to 5.10.40.

The Under 19s took it right up to the top side, Old Brighton last weekend and the coaches were really thrilled with their endeavour, despite finishing five goals down at the end of the day.

Keane Ramshaw and Pasquale Curcio got amongst the goals, while Jacob Bourke, Vincent Barker and Liam O’Connor were the best players.

Photos by Ellie Mitsch and Peter Harrison

Looking back to move forward

After his first season as Senior Women’s coach, it’s fair to say things didn’t quite go to plan. Gray Barton has given us some of his thoughts about what did work and what Fitzroy-ACU can build on for 2020.

“Looking back on the season it was a mixed year in terms of what we have achieved and how we grew as a team.

“The scoreboard results alone were disappointing in only getting the one Seniors win and four wins for the Reserves. But the scoreboard alone doesn’t tell half the story of our season. Even considering the three-quarter time scores where we lead against the top two teams in each of their respective games we were rarely blown away on the scoreboard and always competitive.

“Leading up to the season start we placed considerable emphasis on our individual skill development and game awareness. Being able to execute the skills and understanding team structure was and continues to be the core of our game.

“We did a lot of work on our setup around stoppages – being able to defend and shut the opposition possession down, but equally being well positioned when we won the ball to attack.

“Whilst several significant injuries were also disappointing, it did give many players an opportunity to step up into a Seniors role that they’d not had before.

“Overall, I’d say there’s no question the football we were playing at the end of the season was far better than where started in Round 1, however the same can be said for much of our opposition.

“Perhaps, as an indication of our progress, there’s a goal from our final round that sums up where we’ve got to ... an attacking FFC kick from a stoppage on centre wing was marked by Mia at half forward. Without any hesitation Mia plays on and around her opponent to run and goals from 30m out – that’s not a goal we would have scored at the start of our season.

“Personally, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know not only the players, as a diverse group of people from many walks of life, but all the people that make up Fitzroy as a proud and passionate club.”

Thank you Gray, Simon, Nathan and the Roy Girls – along with all the volunteers who support your efforts – for another hard-working, passionate season of footy where you have brought so much more than just football to the club. As several of the Fitzroy-ACU leaders said throughout the year – you learn more from the losses and playing against great competition. It helps to build the resilience of the group. Time to move forward! And in the meantime, enjoy the off-season… and dare we say, the pre-season!

This week the Fitzroy-ACU coaches and players will join with the Fitzroy Juniors for a training run and BBQ to continue to build the linkages between the senior and junior clubs and encourage the youth girls along the development pathway.

Save the dates - iPod shuffle night is coming

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:

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
Saturday 24 August – iPod Shuffle night at BSO for the players and supporters.
Tickets will go on sale this week. Keep an eye on Facebook for details.
Friday 4 October – Redlow.

More details coming soon.

Major raffle drawn soon – see every AFL 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

Get in quickly as the draw will be made in two weeks on Saturday 24 August during the post-match event at Brunswick Street. You do not need to be in attendance.

New Fitzroy supporter gear selling like hotcakes

Don't miss out on our new supporter gear. It's available for sale at tomorrow's game at Brunswick Street Oval and yes we are taking credit card payments. And in tomorrow's weather you might need a hoodie and a jacket!

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

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.

This weekend's games

Fitzroy Thirds – VAFA Thirds Division 1 – Old Trinity has notified the club and the VAFA of its intention to forfeit this game and withdraw from the competition.
Whitefriars v Fitzroy Under 23s – VAFA Under 23s – Whitefriars College, 11.40am, Saturday 10 August
Fitzroy Reserve Men v St Bede's/Mentone – VAFA Premier B Reserves – Brunswick Street Oval, 11.40am, Saturday 10 August
Old Melburnians v Fitzroy Under 19s – Holmesglen U19 Division 1 – Elsternwick Park, 2pm, Saturday 10 August
Fitzroy Senior Men v St Bede's/Mentone – VAFA Premier B Seniors – Brunswick Street Oval, 2pm, Saturday 10 August