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Debutant
Royboys
Was watching the footy last night, and had a feeling early on that Geelong were going to win by lots - and almost thought they were going to eclipse our record winning margin.
That got me thinking of an old scrapbook I have from the 1979 season.
Below is a report from the game:
JUST FOR THE RECORD
Fitzroy has scored a mention in the books
By Greg Baum
Rarely has a VFL record been smashed as comprehensively as Footscray's record VFL score was by Fitzroy at VFL Park on Saturday.
Fitzroy broke records at every turn.
Twenty seven minutes into the third quarter, it broke its record against Melbourne, of 23.19-157 set last year in a match it lost.
Two minutes into the final quarter it broke the club record score of 25.29-179 against Geelong in 1944 and South Melbourne in 1961.
Fittingly, its most talented footballer Garry Wilson kicked that goal.
It was then coach Bill Stephen sent out a message to captain Ron Alexander to "go the whole hog".
"I told them you've set Fitzroy history, do the rest" Stephen said.
Twenty minutes and 50 seconds into the final quarter, Fitzroy vetran and former captain Harvey Merrigan accepted a handpass from Robert Walls on the half-forward flank and goaled on the run from the boundary line.
That goal gave the Lions the League record set by Footscray against St.Kilda at the Western Oval last year.
Fitzroy's final score of 36.22.238 was 25 points better than Footscray's effort of 33.15.213.
And the stout work of the Lion defenders to keep Melbourne to 6.12.48 meant that Fitzroy also set a League record winning margin 0f 190 points.
Collingwood held the previous record after it's 178 point win against St.Kilda earlier this year.
Fitzroy's 12 goal third quarter, which put it in sight of the League record, breathed new life into a previously dead game, and had the small crowd buzzing with expectancy.
Four goals in five minutes at the start of the final quarter made that record a certainty.
Only some belated resistance from Melbourne delayed that history making goal until nearly 21 minutes into the quarter, but the Lions finished with 10 goals in the last term.
Neither of the man at the centre of the Lions goal spree have been involved with the scoring end in the past.
Merrigan had played nearly all of his 10 seasons and 175 games at full-back, and had only kicked 9 goals for the Lions before he decided he wanted a change of scenery and moved to the wing this year.
The record goal was his only contribution to Fitzroy's mammoth total.
Stephen, who is in his third stint ay Fitzroy, and coached Essendon for 2 years in 1976 and 1977, said the record score was his greatest thrill as a coach.
Merrigan said: "It was good that we kept going and played four quarters, whichh we haven't been doing. The pressure wasn't there, but it was quite enjoyable"
Fitzroys record also proved profitable.
It collected $6000 for winning a challenge match, and virtually ensured itself of a $2500 bonus for the seasons highest score.
I was at this game - was a huge thrill for me, especially as we had never made the finals in my lifetime, and it was when we showed this sort fo stuff that I thought we may have been a chance for the flag!!
I have a few more articles if you are interested in me "translating" them from the scrapbook to Big Footy...
Enjoy
Was watching the footy last night, and had a feeling early on that Geelong were going to win by lots - and almost thought they were going to eclipse our record winning margin.
That got me thinking of an old scrapbook I have from the 1979 season.
Below is a report from the game:
JUST FOR THE RECORD
Fitzroy has scored a mention in the books
By Greg Baum
Rarely has a VFL record been smashed as comprehensively as Footscray's record VFL score was by Fitzroy at VFL Park on Saturday.
Fitzroy broke records at every turn.
Twenty seven minutes into the third quarter, it broke its record against Melbourne, of 23.19-157 set last year in a match it lost.
Two minutes into the final quarter it broke the club record score of 25.29-179 against Geelong in 1944 and South Melbourne in 1961.
Fittingly, its most talented footballer Garry Wilson kicked that goal.
It was then coach Bill Stephen sent out a message to captain Ron Alexander to "go the whole hog".
"I told them you've set Fitzroy history, do the rest" Stephen said.
Twenty minutes and 50 seconds into the final quarter, Fitzroy vetran and former captain Harvey Merrigan accepted a handpass from Robert Walls on the half-forward flank and goaled on the run from the boundary line.
That goal gave the Lions the League record set by Footscray against St.Kilda at the Western Oval last year.
Fitzroy's final score of 36.22.238 was 25 points better than Footscray's effort of 33.15.213.
And the stout work of the Lion defenders to keep Melbourne to 6.12.48 meant that Fitzroy also set a League record winning margin 0f 190 points.
Collingwood held the previous record after it's 178 point win against St.Kilda earlier this year.
Fitzroy's 12 goal third quarter, which put it in sight of the League record, breathed new life into a previously dead game, and had the small crowd buzzing with expectancy.
Four goals in five minutes at the start of the final quarter made that record a certainty.
Only some belated resistance from Melbourne delayed that history making goal until nearly 21 minutes into the quarter, but the Lions finished with 10 goals in the last term.
Neither of the man at the centre of the Lions goal spree have been involved with the scoring end in the past.
Merrigan had played nearly all of his 10 seasons and 175 games at full-back, and had only kicked 9 goals for the Lions before he decided he wanted a change of scenery and moved to the wing this year.
The record goal was his only contribution to Fitzroy's mammoth total.
Stephen, who is in his third stint ay Fitzroy, and coached Essendon for 2 years in 1976 and 1977, said the record score was his greatest thrill as a coach.
Merrigan said: "It was good that we kept going and played four quarters, whichh we haven't been doing. The pressure wasn't there, but it was quite enjoyable"
Fitzroys record also proved profitable.
It collected $6000 for winning a challenge match, and virtually ensured itself of a $2500 bonus for the seasons highest score.
I was at this game - was a huge thrill for me, especially as we had never made the finals in my lifetime, and it was when we showed this sort fo stuff that I thought we may have been a chance for the flag!!
I have a few more articles if you are interested in me "translating" them from the scrapbook to Big Footy...
Enjoy
