2026 Pre-Season Thread

[martinson]

Very unusual situation in 2026 where we will have 3 players in the team in Neale , Zorko and Allen who have Captained an AFL club for an extended period but won't be part of the formal leadership group as far as I'm aware.

Has this ever happened before ?

 

[3KZ is Football]

Very unusual situation in 2026 where we will have 3 players in the team in Neale , Zorko and Allen who have Captained an AFL club for an extended period but won't be part of the formal leadership group as far as I'm aware.

Has this ever happened before ?

Not sure about leadership group, but in 1980 Fitzroy had Robert Walls, Max Richardson, Len Thompson and John Rantall on their list and all 4 had been Captains at previous clubs.

 

[martinson]

Not sure about leadership group, but in 1980 Fitzroy had Robert Walls, Max Richardson, Len Thompson and John Rantall on their list and all 4 had been Captains at previous clubs.

True but Rantall and Thompson were totally done ,only lasted a few games. Walls and Richardson were just about done. We were virtually carrying them at that point but had no one better.

Zorko Neale and potentially Allan are still great players capable of winning you finals

 

[Harris Specter]

Will would not drive his shoes laces up!
Harris Andrews is just the bomb and should have got the medal

Looking forward to seeing Nick get more frustrated with the eventual downfall this season for Collingwood.

 

[3KZ is Football]

True but Rantall and Thompson were totally done ,only lasted a few games. Walls and Richardson were just about done. We were virtually carrying them at that point but had no one better.

Zorko Neale and potentially Allan are still great players capable of winning you finals

No doubt.

In 1979 Richardson kicked 34 goals (a career high) and had quite a good year. Distinguished himself in Rd. 1 of 1979 against Collingwood in the opening minutes by belting Ron Wearmouth as a level up for his cheap and match ending coat hanger on Garry Wilson.


Walls had a good 1979 also. Not stellar by his standards, but he still managed 30 goals.

Here they both are in Fitzroy’s trouncing of Essendon in the 1979 Elimination Final.

 

[3KZ is Football]

PS Thompson and Rantall were completely cooked. Two poor recruiting decisions.

 

[morsie]

No doubt.

In 1979 Richardson kicked 34 goals (a career high) and had quite a good year. Distinguished himself in Rd. 1 of 1979 against Collingwood in the opening minutes by belting Ron Wearmouth as a level up for his cheap and match ending coat hanger on Garry Wilson.


Walls had a good 1979 also. Not stellar by his standards, but he still managed 30 goals.

Here they both are in Fitzroy’s trouncing of Essendon in the 1979 Elimination Final.

Walls did his knee ,otherwise could have gone on

 

[010203]

Congratulations to Josh Dunkley

5

Josh Dunkley

Age

28

Ht

191cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.8

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

11.3

5star

M

4.3

4star

T

5.8

5star

CL

3.2

5star

D

20.7

5star

K

7.0

3star

HB

13.7

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

5.3

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

14.2

4star

K

7.2

3star

HB

7.0

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

4.0

5star

CL

1.4

4star

and Tippah on their engagement