A drive across Melbourne to the so-called home of VAFA football, Elsternwick Park, number 1 oval, for Fitzroy’s do-or-die clash against Old Melburnians. The real home of VAFA footy is out on the number 2 oval, owned forever by the mighty Elsternwick FC, now playing in D2. You might guess this gorilla in his younger days frolicked on the outside oval, and played cricket on both.

Why do or die? Simply, a loss would make it next to impossible to remain in Premier Division. As we have observed many times over recent years, it’s hard to keep a good Roy down. He won't die wondering, he has a spirit unique to the competition.

The Twos won by seven goals in a very even team performance. Importantly a few returnees and impressive poly fillers from Silv’s Thirds have added strength and depth when changes are required.

In the main game Tauber and Winstanley came in for Hodgman and Wright. “No Dane Harvey” I thought as I walked into the familiar surrounds. He kicked seven against this mob last time. Who would stand up?

The Roys kicked to the Glenhuntly Road end in the first and, as it turned out, that end was favoured by a slight breeze. Melburnians looked fired up early, but after 10 minutes of settling, the Roys were very much up for the contest.

McKay and Hart were providing presence up forward without clunking them, but the direction allowed for some classic snapped goals. Seakins, Davie, Turner, Nelson and the irrepressible Lowrie, barging from half back for a major, all scored full points. The midfield was crashing in, Clayton playing like Nichols with astute palming. I will comment on the backline later, but they are the rock of this outfit.

33–8 Fitzroy’s way at the first break. Coach Ronaldson demanded a continuation of the intense pressure and quick movement. His messages to players are simple, relevant and get obvious ‘buy in’ from the playing group.

The challenge of the second was to thwart Melburnians’ goal scoring. To a large extent, this was achieved. 43–29 at the main break our way. All credit to the backline, Lefty Ligris toying with the opposition tagger, Green a pillar, Lowrie a storm trooper, Ellis there when you need him, Butler solid as ever, Holmes and Winstanley emerging stars.

I snuck up a back lane at half time to chat with a few of my old Wicka comrades, and found that the beer clamp applied north of the river is not as strictly applied in the rooms at the break as it is in the south.

The Roys needed to get on the board in the third, to set up a buffer. The highlight of this stanza was a spectacular mark from Lowrie. I mean a genuine speccy. Fire was met with fire, we were ultra competitive, our tackling was superbly applied, forcing errors, creating fumbles among the oppsition. I heard screams of outrage emanating from upstairs in the social rooms. The Ladies Lunch was deeply, deeply concerned.

We led 75–52 at the last change. Melburnians had the scoring end. Our coach laid it all out pretty well, the boys were on board. I heard him yell one thousand times, “

get goal side” during the last, “Protect your territory in defence”, “Don’t let your opponent get between you and their goals.”

The South Yarra boys kicked four points at the start of the last, ominously. Then there was a period of willpower, missed opportunity, fanatical effort, mistakes, umpire uncertainty. Could the Roys hang on?

Suddenly Melburnians kicked three goals and the margin was back to a couple of points with maybe five minutes left on the clock. A sense of worry hung among the Fitzroy faithful.

But dig deep the Royboys did. Body in first, pressure into the forward line, and calm acumen down back. The midfield continued to lock and contest, lock and contest. A new youngster in Oliver Poole stepped up to provide calm in a crisis, a nice left shoe and plenty of game awareness. Echuca’s loss is our gain. He looks and plays like a Roy already. Uncle and Aunty Poole seemed to like the raucous rendition of the victory song later on, their nephew splattered in lime cordial. We can’t afford Gatorade.

Anyway, I’ve jumped the gun a bit, a trio of free kicks saw us safely home with three points to spare. I sound calm, I wasn’t.

Huge smiles all round. The coaching staff should be congratulated, they’ve pulled this mob together under not the easiest of circumstances. And the playing group is clearly up for the challenge.

Three games to go, a bye next week, followed by Uni Blues at home. Then Blacks and Collegians.

Let’s win all three, play with today’s vigour, don’t die wondering.

Guy Gorilla

Image courtesy JG Gorilla