1982 Fitzroy Premiership Side

[FitzroyRamone]

Hi all,

Following from Fat Pizza's question regarding the 1982 Grand Final Sprint, where Mick Conlan broke Geoff Ablett's hold on the title (or was it Kevin?), I would like to know who played in Fitzroy's Under 19 premiership side that year. The only name I remember is Craig McGrath, but if anyone knows who else played that day, I would love to see the team that took the field that day against Melbourne.

Cheers,
FitzroyRamone

 

[Fat Pizza]

McGrath was Captain of that team & kicked 6 goals in the Grand Final to take his tally to 18 for the Finals Series.

I have a photo of the team, but am not sure who actually played on the day. The following players are in the photo:
John Powell
Leigh Branagan
Tim Nelson
Paul Tilley
Graeme Williamson
Brian Newman
Brett Munro
Mark Randles
Stewart Pert
David Lake
Warren Lynch
Craig Spinks
Brad Langford
Steven Randles
Bruce Mourney
Stephen Cerni
Joi Caiafa
Jim Wynd
Brant Chapman
Robert Burke
Wayne Geradts
Paul McInerney
Peter Burke
Craig McGrath
Richard Geary
Jamie Cooper
Brendon Fitzgerald
George Ritz
Phillip Knight
Malcolm Duncan
Tony Spassopoulos
Grant Neyland
Colin Bassett
Grant Jordan

Doug Searl was Coach.

Some interesting names amongst them...

 

[Fat Pizza]

Originally posted by FitzroyRamone
Following from Fat Pizza's question regarding the 1982 Grand Final Sprint, where Mick Conlan broke Geoff Ablett's hold on the title (or was it Kevin?),

Geoff Ablett won 3 consecutive Grand Final sprints.

 

[Mr Ripper]

The passage of time fades the memory. I recognise many of the names - mostly those who progressed through to the reserve and/or senior sides - but, apart from a handful, the deeds are mostly forgotten.

John Powell - No memory of this payer.
Leigh Branagan - Vaguely recall the name at the bottom end of the reserves' team list.
Tim Nelson - Nup.
Paul Tilley - Angry young man. Pioneer mullet wearer.
Graeme Williamson - Recall him from the Vic Park days, perched up in the Ryder Stand, puffing on a ciggy.
Brian Newman - Nope.
Brett Munro - Ditto.
Mark Randles - As above
Stewart Pert - As above
David Lake - As above
Warren Lynch - As above
Craig Spinks - As above
Brad Langford - As above
Steven Randles - As above
Bruce Mourney - Clever forward; went to Port in the VFA???
Stephen Cerni - Played reserves for several years without ever cracking The Ones.
Joi Caiafa - Sorry.
Jim Wynd - Went to Essendon, came back, got a tan, became a star.
Brant Chapman - No idea.
Robert Burke - Lesser-known brother (?) (twin??) of the below mentioned Peter.
Wayne Geradts - Doesn't ring any bells.
Paul McInerney - Likewise
Peter Burke - Became a useful wing/back flanker/back pocket around 1984/85.
Craig McGrath - Occasionally starred, at CHF or in the ruck (WACA, '89), but frequently disappointed. Went to WA.
Richard Geary - Turned up at Richmond and later, WCE.
Jamie Cooper - Reasonable backman, even better painter.
Brendon Fitzgerald - Uh uh.
George Ritz - Sorry.
Phillip Knight - Useful small-mid sized utility. Slow, but had good hands.
Malcolm Duncan - No idea.
Tony Spassopoulos - One of VFL football's great mono-gamers. Had the privilege of inheriting Lee Murnane's hallowed #41 guernsey.
Grant Neyland - Nope.
Colin Bassett - No idea.
Grant Jordan - Sorry.

 

[FitzroyRamone]

I noticed you mentioned Craig McGrath's game at the WACA in 1989. I remember him playing a blinder in a great win, and in the post match interview, John Blackman came on screen and planted a big kiss on McGrath's cheek. It was probably this game that lead the WCE into picking him up after Fitzroy, before fading into the WAFL.

Cheers,
Fitzroy Ramone

 

[Levo]

Mark Randles played quite a few ressies games nothing special
David Lake ditto
Joe Caiafa played a lot of ressies for the FFC, wasn't it Joe who broke his neck in a ressies game at either PP or the Junction and came good again but never at Fitzroy again.
The Burke boys Peter, Robert and Rohan about sums it up
Grant Jordan played a cou[ple of years in the ressies then went to Preston if I recall.
Maggo McGrath ended up at East Perth always met up for a beer when in Perth, was assistant coach to Wayne Blackwell at EP when we played Freo on the day of days, still there I think the boy from Banyule.
Stewart Pert brother of Gazza