In the time I supported the Roys, we had the likes of Pert, Lynch, and Paxman at full-back. S.Hawking, J.Molloy, P.Caven, M.Seecamp, and J.McCarthy all had stints down there during those times, but the three mentioned earlier would have been regarded as the 'main defender' of their time.
G.Pert - one of the best full-backs I've seen. Not only able to beat his opponent, but also create drive from the back line. A great aerial contestant - took many high-flying marks in defense. He had the aerial abilities of J.Leppitsch, and the dogged, determined defensive nature of S.Silvagni. I remember him kicking a goal one day, after running from HB to HF, banging it from outside 50m. Top stuff! The Gary Pert I remember was always doing stuff like this. Always loved a run, and backed himself for it on many an occasion. How many times did we see him clear the ball from defense - sending it up as far as the wing? What a champion!
A.Lynch - another dour defender who was good in the air. Probably one of the strongest full-backs going round, whilst he held the position. He was one of the few who could match it, body-on-body, with the likes of Lockett, Ablett and Dunstall. Super quick for a player his size, he was capable of playing in other key positions, and possesed a strong mark.
S.Paxman - perhaps not that glamour-player that the previous two were, but still a great servant of the Roys. Week in, week out, Paxman would take on the toughest forward-line opponent. In fact, Paxman would have been one of the more under-rated Fitzroy players in the time I supported the club. I once heard G.Healy comment that Paxman was unlucky not to have earned state selection for Victoria in his time with the Roys (stating that if it hadn't been for Martyn and Silvagni, Paxman would have more than likely been a regular state representative). I reckon a few other clubs wouldn't have minded having Paxman down back for them at times. I remember him curbing the likes of S.Loewe, N.Holland, and M.Richardson (Rich), just to name a few of the top names. On a week to week basis, Paxman would have been one of our most consistent performers in the last few years of the Roys in the AFL - possibly one of the first few chosen every week by the selectors. A great, yet under-rated servant of the Roys!
I'm interested to hear from others, about the full-backs previous to my time as a supporter. The likes of Merrigan, Serafini, etc.
G.Pert - one of the best full-backs I've seen. Not only able to beat his opponent, but also create drive from the back line. A great aerial contestant - took many high-flying marks in defense. He had the aerial abilities of J.Leppitsch, and the dogged, determined defensive nature of S.Silvagni. I remember him kicking a goal one day, after running from HB to HF, banging it from outside 50m. Top stuff! The Gary Pert I remember was always doing stuff like this. Always loved a run, and backed himself for it on many an occasion. How many times did we see him clear the ball from defense - sending it up as far as the wing? What a champion!
A.Lynch - another dour defender who was good in the air. Probably one of the strongest full-backs going round, whilst he held the position. He was one of the few who could match it, body-on-body, with the likes of Lockett, Ablett and Dunstall. Super quick for a player his size, he was capable of playing in other key positions, and possesed a strong mark.
S.Paxman - perhaps not that glamour-player that the previous two were, but still a great servant of the Roys. Week in, week out, Paxman would take on the toughest forward-line opponent. In fact, Paxman would have been one of the more under-rated Fitzroy players in the time I supported the club. I once heard G.Healy comment that Paxman was unlucky not to have earned state selection for Victoria in his time with the Roys (stating that if it hadn't been for Martyn and Silvagni, Paxman would have more than likely been a regular state representative). I reckon a few other clubs wouldn't have minded having Paxman down back for them at times. I remember him curbing the likes of S.Loewe, N.Holland, and M.Richardson (Rich), just to name a few of the top names. On a week to week basis, Paxman would have been one of our most consistent performers in the last few years of the Roys in the AFL - possibly one of the first few chosen every week by the selectors. A great, yet under-rated servant of the Roys!
I'm interested to hear from others, about the full-backs previous to my time as a supporter. The likes of Merrigan, Serafini, etc.
