I ventured out of my Gorilla cave to bleak, grey winter skies at Toorak Park, home of Old Xaverians. I also managed to observe a construction site with a brand-new facility, smelling of the private school money scent. If only the humble men and women from Fitzroy were so lucky. Yarra City Council – it’s time!
Politics and money aside, let’s move to the football.
July brings about the VAFA two-week bye, a chance to reset and for many opposition teams, a trip to warmer, more expensive pastures. For the Roys, this next block of seven games will decide the grade they play their football in in 2025.
This challenge started against Old Xavs.
The Reserves fought valiantly for three quarters until the margin was blown out in the final term. Fellow Gorilla, Uncle Garry, observed five under 19s amongst the inclusions, all playing pivotal roles in the contest, with two notable stars residing out of a school in the inner north where Baby Gorilla teaches on occasion.
In the Seniors, one popular inclusion amongst the Fitzroy fraternity was first gamer Will Hodgman, a man from prestigious Tasmanian royalty. Star VAFA representative Dane Harvey was out nursing a sore ‘Gregory Peck’.
The contest began as expected – slippery, tight and high pressure, with Xavs goaling from stoppage ascendency. ‘Bustling’ Bill Clayton started strongly in the ruck with 50-gamer Miles Nelson clean and strong at his feet, and drawing free kicks as is his way.
After a strong period maintaining territory, Charlie Faubel snapped Fitzroy’s first, proceeding to sprint off the ground and into the nearby portable toilet. Each to their own, I guess.
The two teams traded goals, with Laird ‘Desk’ Ramshaw streaming out of the middle of the ground and delivering to Jack McKay for our second. A Xavs’ goal after the siren left the score at 22–12, with Coach Travis Ronaldson calling for stronger “one-on-one, simple footy”.
As the second quarter began, the men in green gifted Xavs their fourth goal. And on this rainy day, lightning struck twice as Xavs extended their lead, after some Roys' ill-discipline.
Needing a response, this came in the form of Darcy Lowrie, who was defending superbly, whilst Nathan Ligris repelled off half-back with his customary laser left boot. This non-biased Gorilla thinks he was unlucky not to be selected for the VAFA representative team.
Although Clayton was excelling in the ruck, we were unable to capitalise, with the senior midfielders of Xavs in Stavrou and ex-AFL player Dan Hannebery wreaking havoc forward of centre.
My half-time ham and salad roll tasted a little like desperation as the Roys trailed 51–18. Hannebery and co began where they left off, dominating possession, and ensuring that scoring opportunities were few and far between.
Caleb Harward was in and under in the muddy conditions, using his strength to his advantage, leading to McKay kicking his second halfway through the quarter. Certainly, the Roys did not lack will and effort, however, the separation in class was as clear as ever.
Captain Jack Hart was rewarded for his constant effort with a toe-poke goal over the line to start the last quarter and in customary fashion, the Roys continued to fight, with Hart following up with his second only minutes later. Jack Hart is the epitome of a Fitzroy player and person in my Gorilla eyes. The backline continued to be under constant Xavs' pressure, and if it weren’t for Lowrie and his tall companion Jock Green, the margin could have been a lot wider.
At the halfway mark of the final term, much like my elder Gorilla, I put pen and paper down as the game drifted into the arctic Melbourne air.
Better players included Clayton, Lowrie and Hart, who finished with three majors in tough scoring conditions.
The final score 94–45, a tough afternoon, but plenty of things to learn as we move on to Old Brighton at home next week.
As I retreat into my Gorilla cave, I implore the Fitzroy community to stick by this team as “we will always fight for victory”.
Baby Gorilla
Baby Gorilla makes his debut as regular Fitzroy scribes Guy and Garry Gorilla kept to their pens. Famous and much loved as Fitzroy's reigning best and fairest and unable to take the field for the other Lions at Coburg due to injury, Baby Gorilla kindly took up the pen to cover his erstwhile team mates' games this week against Old Xavs.
