Almanac Football History – Regaining respect: Fitzroy’s highly competitive 1992 season

Regaining respect: Fitzroy’s highly competitive 1992 season by Philip Mendes[1]

 

1992 was a significant revival for Fitzroy Football Club on the field after an awful 1991 season. The Roys had been uncompetitive for most of 1991, winning only one of their first 17 games. Somehow, they managed to win three out of the last five including a massive upset over ladder leader West Coast in Round 24 to avoid the wooden spoon.

 

 

At the end of 1991, the Roys lost further quality players: champion full back Gary Pert (who had missed the entire 1991 season with a knee injury) switched to Collingwood, spasmodically brilliant winger and 1988 Best and Fairest winner Darren Kappler plus forward David Strooper decamped to Sydney, and youngster Tony Woods left for Collingwood. But in their place, the Roys for the first time in a number of years gained some serious talent including Paul Abbott from Hawthorn, Peter Sartori from Carlton (who unfortunately played only four games due to injury), Paul Morrish from Essendon, Marcus Seecamp and Jeremy Guard from interstate, and Brad Boyd from Collingwood who played only two games in 1992 but would later become Fitzroy’s last ever captain.[2]

 

 

The Roys started extremely well, making the final of the pre-season competition, and then winning six out of their first nine games including victories over eventual premier West Coast and finalist Collingwood. They still sat at eight and six after 14 games, but fell away late to finish tenth with nine wins. It was, nevertheless, a massive improvement driven by excellent form from captain Paul Roos who was one of the favourites for the Brownlow Medal and selected as Captain of the All-Australian Team, an outstanding first eight games from revived spearhead Richard Osborne who eventually finished eleventh in the goalkicking ladder with 58 goals (from only 16 games), strong recruiting of seasoned players as noted above, and good form from youngsters such as Stephen Paxman, Peter Caven and Jamie Elliott.

 

 

However, from a financial non-playing viewpoint, 1992 was a disaster resulting in a loss of one million dollars.[3] This was despite the fact that Fitzroy attracted large home crowds against Collingwood, St Kilda and Footscray, plus successfully pioneered the hosting of two home games and a pre-season fixture in Tasmania. Clearly, there were deficits in the League’s overall financial model and the specific allocations from the ground sharing arrangements at Carlton which severely disadvantaged Fitzroy.[4] By December 1992, the pundits were openly predicting the end of Fitzroy. [5]

 

 

Pre-Season Competition

 

Round One: 23 February 1992

 

Fitzroy                 4.3, 8.6, 9.10, 13.12 (90)

North Melbourne 2.3, 5.8, 8.13, 12.16 (88)

 

Best Players: Roos (Man of Match), Lyon, Sartori, Dundas.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Sartori 5, Wheildon, Abbott, Dundas 2.

 

A positive first-up win over a talented North Melbourne side at North  Hobart Oval. Abbott and Sartori made impressive unofficial debuts. According to Andy Maher, their inclusion “radically altered Fitzroy, so long deficient in the big man department”.[6]

 

 

Round Two: 1 March 1992

 

Fitzroy 2.3, 4.7, 6.13, 10.15 (75)

Sydney 0.0, 2.4, 2.4, 2.5 (17)

 

Best Players: Lyon (Man of Match), Abbott, Wheildon, Caven, Roos, McCormack.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Wheildon 3.

 

Another good pre-season competition victory. Jim Main opined that “the Lions will be vastly improved this season, and will worry most sides”.[7] Unfortunately, star recruit Peter Sartori injured his knee, and would not play his first official home and away match until Round 16.

 

 

Semi Final: 6 March 1992

 

 

Fitzroy        4.0, 8.2, 9.4, 15.5 (95)

Adelaide     1.3, 4.5, 7.7, 9.10 (64)

 

Best Players: McCormack (Man of Match), Broderick, Blakey, Dundas, Caven, Osborne.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne, Wheildon 3, Dundas, Broderick 2.

 

The Roys were thrilled to reach their first Night/pre-season Grand Final since defeating North Melbourne in 1978. Paul Broderick dominated with 32 possessions.[8]

 

 

Grand Final: 14 March 1992

 

 

Fitzroy        0.2, 2.6, 5.13, 8.15 (63)

Hawthorn   1.5, 10.8, 12.10, 19.14 (128)

 

Best Players: Lynch, Dundas, Paxman, McCormack, Broderick, Abbott.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne 3, Broderick 2.

 

The Football Record described the Grand Final as a “David and Goliath affair” with Fitzroy as the massive “underdog”, whilst noting that “the bulk of the football public will be hoping the club’s luck can change tonight”.[9] But it was not to be, and the Roys never looked likely to top the reigning day premiers in front of nearly 50,000 at Waverley Park. Nevertheless, Alastair Lynch enhanced his growing reputation by holding champion Hawthorn spearhead Jason Dunstall to one goal. [10]

  

 

Home and Away Series

 

Round 1 Bye

 

Round 2: 29 March 1992

 

Fitzroy        4.6, 9.11, 18.17, 22.18 (150)

Essendon    0.2, 3.6, 4.7, 14.8 (92)

 

Best Players: Roos, Dundas (30 disposals), Osborne, Broderick (31 disposals), Paxman (24 disposals and 9 marks), Stephens, Gale, McCormack (30 disposals).

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne 7, Wheildon 3, Stephens, Broderick, Roos 2.

 

What an amazing start to the season. Second year coach Robert Shaw displayed his creativity by moving tall defender Paxman into the ruck for centre bounces who then dropped a kick behind the play, and pushing Osborne back to his old spearhead role. All his positional changes turned to gold as the Roys thrashed the Bombers for three quarters at the MCG before easing off in the last. Roos dominated with 25 disposals and 11 marks, whilst Osborne had 19 disposals, 10 marks, and booted seven goals six.[11]

 

 

Round 3: 5 April 1992

 

Fitzroy        2.2, 4.4, 6.7, 8.10 (58)

Brisbane     1.3, 4.6, 9.8, 11.16 (82)

 

Best Players: McCormack, Lyon, Dundas.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne 3, McCormack 2.

 

The Brisbane Bears would only win four games for season 1992, but two of them were against Fitzroy including this disappointing loss at Carrara. [12]

 

 

Round 4: 11 April 1992

 

 

 

Fitzroy        3.3, 10.5, 14.12, 19.16 (130)

Adelaide     5.1, 7.5, 12.10, 14.13 (97)

 

Best Players: McCormack (BOG, 44 disposals), Broderick (33 disposals), Roos (28 disposals and 6 marks), Gale, Baldwin, Wynd, Osborne, Caven.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne 5, Broderick 3, Lynch, Caven, Roos 2.

 

The Roys recovered from a slow start against favoured Adelaide (trailing by 23 points after 18 minutes of the first quarter) to record an impressive victory. Midfielders McCormack (back to his 1989 form) and Broderick were outstanding. [13]

 

 

Round 5: 20 April 1992

 

 

 

 

Fitzroy        5.1, 8.4, 13.8, 16.12 (108)

St Kilda      3.10, 7.15, 12.19, 17.26 (128)

 

Best Players: Roos (24 disposals and 7 marks), Lyon (29 disposals), Lynch, Wynd, Baldwin, Osborne.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne 6, Wheildon, Caven 2.

 

The Roys were brave all day in front of a strong home crowd at Princes Park, but eventually got worn down by the marking strength of Loewe and Lockett.[14]

 

 

Round 6: 26 April 1992

 

 

 

Fitzroy        5.1, 9.4, 10.8, 11.11 (77)

Geelong      6.5, 11.11, 16.19, 25.25 (175)

 

Best Players: Roos, Broderick, Armstrong, Wynd.

 

Multiple Goalkickers:   Lyon, Osborne 3.

 

The Roys competed well for two quarters away to highly rated Geelong, but after half time they “meekly raised the white flag and surrendered”.[15]

 

 

Round 7: 3 May 1992

 

 

Fitzroy        5.4, 9.7, 13.9, 15.12 (102)

West Coast           1.4, 3.9, 7.12, 11.16 (82)

 

Best Players: Roos (33 disposals and 15 marks), Lyon, Wheildon, Dundas, Paxman, Seecamp, Cormack.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Wheildon 6, Osborne 3, Blakey 2.

 

The Roys turned the tide with a fabulous victory over the eventual premiers West Coast at North Hobart Oval. Darren Wheildon displayed his enormous talent with an opening quarter of eight kicks, four goals, three behinds, and two marks. He finished with six goals including an amazing 35 metre volleyed goal from the boundary in the second quarter under pressure from John Worsfold which many thought should have won goal of the year. [16]

 

 

Round 8: 9 May 1992

 

Fitzroy        7.1, 10.8, 20.13, 24.17 (161)

Richmond   4.5, 8.7, 13.8, 15.12 (102)

 

Best Players: Osborne, Wynd (37 disposals), Morrish, Armstrong, Lyon, Blakey, Cormack, Lynch.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne 8, Lynch 6, Dundas, Wynd 2.

 

After conceding the opening three goals, the Roys easily defeated Richmond at the MCG. Ken Piesse praised the Roys for their “flowing and attractive brand of football”. Osborne dominated with 21 kicks, 10 marks and eight goals seven. He now had 35 goals from the opening seven matches.[17]

 

After this game, Martin Blake interviewed Osborne, noting that he had regained his confidence after the serious knee injury suffered in August 1989. Blake noted: “It takes a special player to draw comparisons with the great Gary Ablett, as he has done in the past”, and concluded that “a century of goals is not beyond him”.[18]

 

 

Round 9: 15 May 1992

 

 

Fitzroy                  3.4, 9.6, 12.10, 15.15 (105)

North Melbourne   2.3, 6.6, 9.11, 9.12 (66)

 

Best Players: Blakey (29 disposals and 8 marks), Lyon, Baldwin, Lynch, Roos, Paxman, Wheildon.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne, Lynch 4, Wheildon 3.

 

A third win in a row against the Kangaroos at the MCG. Stephen Reilly praised the Roy as “simply too talented and, more importantly, too tenacious”, and rejected the popular belief that they were over achievers”.[19].

 

A further analysis by Mike Sheahan praised the “spectacular improvement” of Fitzroy. He emphasized the “return to full fitness and confidence of top forward Richard Osborne; the emergence of Alastair Lynch as a player of genuine star quality; the return from injury of Mattie Armstrong and Michael Gale; the rejuvenation of John Blakey”.[20]

 

After this game, Richard Osborne broke his cheekbone in a clash with John Worsfold in a Victoria v Western Australia State of Origin match.[21] Osborne missed four matches with the injury, and never seemed to regain his outstanding early season form.

 

 

Round 10 Bye

 

 

Round 11: 30 May 1992

 

 

Fitzroy                 1.5, 6.9, 10.12, 13.14 (92)

Collingwood         0.5, 3.7, 6.9, 13.11 (89)

 

Best Players: Roos (BOG), Dundas, Caven, Lyon, Stephens, Guard, Wynd.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Guard, Lynch 3.

 

This game is remembered by many for the last quarter heroics of close friends Paul Roos and Gary Pert (now playing for different sides after 10 years together at Fitzroy). The Roys led comfortably for three quarters, but the Pies got going in the last quarter in front of the large crowd of 26,000 at Princes Park. Pert (who had played the first three quarters in defence) put Collingwood in front for the first time at the 28 minute mark. However, Roos grabbed the ball from a pack at the edge of the goal square and, ala Bernie Quinlan’s famous snap in the 1983 Qualifying Final, goaled with his left foot to regain the lead with less than 20 seconds remaining. It was the Roys fourth victory in succession, lifting them to fifth spot on the ladder ahead of West Coast, St Kilda and Hawthorn. [22]

 

The last quarter was an absolute belter that deserves recalling in detail. Starcevich and Turner goaled early for Collingwood to bridge the margin to 15 points. Then Fitzroy steadied. Roos guided a brilliant pass to Lynch on the lead who easily dobbed a 50 metre set shot to take the lead back to 21 points. Then, the elusive Lyon thredded a brilliant handball to Wynd who should have sealed the game with his shot on the run. Further Collingwood goals to Watson, McGuane and Lehmann brought the lead back to 5 points. Jeremy Guard goaled for the Roys to increase the lead to 10 points, but further goals by Lehmann and Pert gave Collingwood the lead with less than two minutes remaining. And then finally the last big play: Guard booted a long ball to a packed forward line, Roos jumped high but failed to hold the mark, Abbott tried to break tackles and the ball spilt to Roos who snapped the winner with only 13 seconds left. At the subsequent centre bounce, Roos contested the ruck duel with the much bigger Monkhorst. What a win by the Roys.

 

 

Round 12: 8 June 1992

 

Fitzroy        4.2, 6.5, 6.11, 11.18 (84)

Footscray   6.2, 9.10, 20.13, 22.14 (146)

 

Best Players: Morrish, Roos (38 disposals and 8 marks), Caven, Stephens, Blakey.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Wheildon 3, Lynch 2.

 

It was match of the day against top placed Footscray in front of 20,000 at Princes Park. But after a close first one and a half quarters, the Dogs booted 12 in a row to burst the Roys bubble. [23]

 

 

Round 13: 13 June 1992

 

Fitzroy        2.2, 8.4, 10.9, 13.11 (89)

Hawthorn   7.2, 12.6, 16.10, 22.13 (145)

 

Best Players: Wheildon, Roos (30 disposals and 8 marks), McCormack, Baldwin, Lyon, Wynd.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Wheildon 6, Lynch, Stevenson 2.

 

Reigning premier Hawthorn proved too strong at Waverley Park. But Darren Wheildon played arguably the best game of his career, kicking six goals six from 16 disposals and eight marks. This included four goals in the second quarter alone playing on all-Australian full back Chris Langford who was moved forward in the second half.[24] The Roys dropped to eighth on the ladder.

 

 

Round 14: 20 June 1992

 

 

Fitzroy        3.5, 8.10, 16.11, 20.13 (133)

Carlton       4.3, 9.7, 15.9, 17.12 (114)

 

Best Players: Broderick (29 disposals), Abbott (22 disposals and 6 marks), Wynd, Lyon, Roos, Gale, Armstrong, Fleming.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Fleming, Wheildon 4, Roos 3, Cormack, Broderick 2.

 

The Roys trailed by 15 points late in the third quarter, but finished with a rush to overwhelm fifth placed Carlton. A classic high mark in the goal square by Paul Roos and resulting goal arguably turned the game.[25] Recruit Paul Abbott was outstanding, dominating the centre bounces, and providing the “rock on which this upset win was built”.[26] Tony De Bolfo opined that “Fitzroy can now aspire to a position in the final six”, praising the “character” of their playing group.[27]

 

Early highlights included a brilliant tackle and goal by Gale. In the third quarter, Roos high mark over Kernahan and goal sparked the Roys fightback, and was followed by a Fleming handball to Cormack to give the Roys the lead, followed by a Roos mark under pressure to score his third goal, and a sharp handball from Lyon to Dundas to goal. In the final stanza, Stephens shot out a perfect pass to Broderick to goal, Fleming took a strong grab to kick his fourth, and Seecamp nailed an excellent snap to ice the game.

 

 

Round 15: 28 June 1992

 

 

 

Fitzroy        4.4, 8.5, 12.8, 13.9 (87)

Melbourne  6.5, 9.5, 11.10, 16.13 (109)

 

Best Players: Stephens, Roos, Guard, Baldwin, Wynd, Abbott.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne 3, Broderick, Fleming, Abbott 2.

 

Osborne finally returned from injury, but the Roys disappointingly succumbed to second bottom Melbourne. [28]

 

 

Round 16: 5 July 1992

 

 

 

Fitzroy        6.2, 10.4, 15.8, 21.10 (136)

Sydney       4.4, 4.9, 8.12, 11.17 (83)

 

Best Players: Gale, Roos, Cormack (31 disposals), Sartori, Fleming, Wheildon, Abbott.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Sartori, Fleming 5, Wheildon 3, Cormack 2.

 

The Roys eased back to form with an easy away victory over thirteenth placed Sydney. Osborne missed through suspension, but Sartori finally returned from injury with a perfect five goals from five kicks. Young Dale Fleming impressed again, and had now dobbed 11 goals in three games. [29]

 

 

Round 17: 12 July 1992

 

 

Fitzroy        2.5, 4.9, 6.9, 8.13, 10.17 (77)

Essendon    4.2, 6.9, 8.12, 11.14 (80)

 

Best Players: Dundas, Stephens, Elliott, Gale, Guard, Broderick.

 

Multiple goalkickers: Dundas 3, Stephens, Wheildon 2.

 

A classic nailbiter between eighth placed Fitzroy and ninth placed Essendon in Tasmania. The Roys started slowly, but three goals from midfielder Matthew Dundas in the third quarter grabbed them the lead for the first time. The last quarter was goal for goal with midfielder Joe Cormack (22 disposals) taking a fine mark running with the flight of the ball, but then missing an easy shot from 20 metres out with less than five minutes remaining to seal the game. Then Gary O’Donnell kicked the winner for Essendon at the 24 minute mark. [30]

 

 

Round 18: 18 July 1992

 

Fitzroy        2.1, 3.8, 7.12, 10.13 (73)

Brisbane     3.8, 7.11, 13.15, 16.18 (114)

 

Best Players: Broderick, Stephens, Wynd.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Abbott, McCormack 2.

 

A diabolical loss to the bottom placed Brisbane Bears inspired by brilliance from 17 year old first gamer Michael Voss.[31]

 

 

Round 19: 25 July 1992

 

 

Fitzroy        1.3, 4.3, 5.3, 7.5 (47)

Adelaide     5.0, 9.2, 14.3, 21.6 (132)

 

Best Players: Roos, Stephens, Broderick.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Roos, O’Connell 2.

 

Another disappointing loss to a lower side, this time away to tenth placed Adelaide.[32]

 

 

Round 20: 1 August 1992

 

 

Fitzroy        3.4, 3.10, 7.19, 10.24 (84)

St Kilda      5.3, 7.8, 9.13, 14.18 (102)

 

Best Players: Lynch, Wynd (34 disposals), Broderick, Seecamp, Roos, Blakey.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne 4.

 

A fourth consecutive loss to fifth placed St Kilda in the final ever (254) game at Moorabbin Oval. The Roys conceded five of the first six goals, but kept in touch for the rest of the game. According to Richard Hinds, “Fitzroy showed great pluck to get within a goal at the last change but was made to pay for some poor kicking for goal”. [33] In the highlights package, watch out for two classy six pointers from Osborne, one from a fine mark and set shot, and later a clever goal off the ground.

 

 

Round 21: 8 August 1992

 

Fitzroy        3.2, 6.5, 9.5, 10.8 (68)

Geelong      5.3, 9.5, 13.12, 17.18 (114)

 

Best Players: Roos, Stephens, Seecamp, Wynd, Baldwin, Caven.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Sartori 3, Lynch 3.

 

A poor effort by the Roys resulting in a fifth loss in a row to second placed Geelong. Alastair Lynch struggled hard up forward with 10 kicks, 7 marks, and three goals four (including two posters). Ross Lyon sadly broke his arm. [34]

 

 

Round 22: 14 August 1992

 

Fitzroy        2.3, 4.8, 8.12, 10.16 (76)

West Coast           4.5, 7.10, 12.11, 14.22 (106)

 

Best Players: Roos (BOG: 29 disposals and 14 marks), Lynch, Gale, Baldwin, Wynd, McCormack, Stephens.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Roos, Wheildon 3.

 

The Roys lost their sixth game in a row away to third placed West Coast. They twice got within four points in the third team, but the home side steadied to win comfortably. [35]

 

 

Round 23: 22 August 1992

 

Fitzroy        6.1, 12.6, 15.10, 20.13 (133)

Richmond   5.3, 7.6, 9.10, 14.14 (98)

 

Best Players: Roos (BOG, 31 disposals and 9 marks), Broderick, Caven, Stephens, Baldwin, Lynch, McCormack, Gale.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Stephens 5, Osborne 4, Broderick 3, Lynch 2.

 

Fitzroy finally got back on the winning list against third bottom Richmond. Roos starred again, and a high mark and goal by Michael Gale in the final quarter was a match highlight. James Weston noted that Roos was now a “firm favourite for the Brownlow Medal”. [36]

 

 

Round 24: 29 August 1992

 

Fitzroy                 2.4, 7.7, 11.8, 14.12 (96)

North Melbourne 5.4, 8.7, 13.13, 19.16 (130)

 

Best Players: Barrett, Wynd, Morrish, Abbott, Baldwin, Bunn.

 

Multiple Goalkickers: Osborne 4, Barrett 3, Abbott 2.

 

Richard Osborne booted four in his final ever game for Fitzroy, and young rover Chris Barrett shone with three goals and 23 disposals in his fourth and final senior game. But the twelfth placed Kangaroos led by emerging star Wayne Carey with seven goals were too strong.[37]

 

 

Top Ten Best and Fairest

 

Paul Roos 235

Brett Stephens 116

Alastair Lynch 83

Peter Caven 83

Jim Wynd 78

Ross Lyon 70

Jason Baldwin 68

Paul Broderick 65

Paul Abbott 64

Darren Wheildon 52

 

Brownlow Votes

 

Paul Roos 10

Matthew Dundas 9

 

Top Ten Goalkickers

 

Richard Osborne 58

Darren Wheildon 41

Alastair Lynch 27

Paul Broderick 18

Paul Roos 17

Brett Stephens 14

Dale Fleming 14

Paul Abbott 13

Ross Lyon 12

Matthew Dundas 11

 

 

Conclusion

 

The Roys improved significantly, but losses to lower teams such as Brisbane (twice) and Melbourne were costly. Lack of depth coupled with injuries to key players such as Paxman, Osborne and Lyon contributed to their fade-out. In the Annual Report, coach Robert Shaw expressed pride in the club’s improvement, and confidence that Fitzroy could seriously contend for the finals in 1993. He urged senior players such as Lyon, Stephens, Wynd, Broderick, Lynch, Gale and Abbott to match the example set by captain Paul Roos, and “go up a notch… and take the next step in their careers”.[38]

 

Sadly, this was Richard Osborne’s last season at Fitzroy after 187 games and 411 goals over 11 seasons. He was the club’s leading goalkicker five times, dobbing impressive tallies (playing at only 182 cm) ranging from 58 to 68 goals in those five seasons. In all my 27 years of watching Fitzroy, he was arguably second only to Bernie Quinlan as the club’s most spectacular and watchable player. Ossie could do anything: run like the wind, take huge grabs, nail difficult snaps on his non-preferred left foot, and kick huge goals on the run or from set shots. [39] His departure was a huge loss. Another significant departure was reliable half back John Blakey (in a direct swap for John McCarthy) who had played 135 games in eight seasons, and was subsequently a member of two premiership sides at North Melbourne.

 

 

[1] Many thanks to my friend Noel Murray for kindly lending me his detailed Scrapbook of the 1992 season.

[2] Ashley Browne (1992) “Youngsters the key if Lions are to improve”, The Age, 11 March; Jim Main (2007) Fitzroy. BAS Publishing, Melbourne, pp.230-232.

[3] Kevin Ryan (1992) “Chief Executive’s Report” in Fitzroy Football Club 1992 Annual Report, p.5.

[4] Dyson Hore-Lacy (1992) “Chairman’s Report” in Fitzroy Football Club 1992 Annual Report, p.4.

[5] Tony De Bolfo (1992) “Death Knell”, Herald-Sun, 16 December.

[6] Andrew Maher (1992) “Gritty Lions upset North”, Inside Football, 26 February, p. 31.

[7] Jim Main (1992) “Lions show true grit”, Inside Football.

[8] Ashley Browne (1992) “Lions KO Crows to reach cup final”, The Age, 7 March.

[9] Greg Hobbs (1992) “Underdog Lions”, Football Record, 14 March, p.17.

[10] Ashley Browne (1992) “Hawthorn magic proves stronger”, The Age, 16 March.

[11] Stephen Linnell (1992) “Dogged Roos leave even their coach in awe”, The Age, 30 March; James Weston (1992) “Paxman stands tall”, Herald-Sun.

[12] Renard Peters (1992) “Shaw has Lions on the mat”, Herald-Sun, 6 April, p.71.

[13] Howard Leigh (1992) “Fitzroy back in the hunt”, Herald-Sun, 12 April; Ashley Browne (1992) “Lions’ ferocity too much for Crows”, The Age, 12 April.

[14] Tony De Bolfo (1992) “Saints ride Roys’s storm”, Herald-Sun, 21 April.

[15] Garry Linnell (1992) “Mauled Lions revive all the demons and doubts”, The Age, 28 April.

[16] Peter Hanlon (1992) “Flying Doc leads way”, Herald-Sun, 4 May, p.78; Penny Crisp (1992) “Lions of 92 give West Coast a taste of their new steel”, The Age, 4 May; Russell Holmesby (2020) The Death of Fitzroy. Hardie Grant Books, Melbourne, pp.134-135.

[17] Ken Piesse (1992) “You ripper Roys: two in a row”, Herald-Sun, 11 May; Garry Linnell (1992) “Roys stand up and fight”, The Age, 11 May.

[18] Martin Blake (1992) “Osborne is winning mind games again”, The Age, 13 May.

[19] Steve Rielly (1992) “Fitzroy’s roar now has a bite to it”, The Age, 16 May; James Weston (1992) “Lions home”, Herald-Sun, 16 May.

[20] Mike Sheahan (1992) ‘When competence meets confidence”, The Age, 24 May.

[21] Trent Bouts (1992) “Osborne’s roaring to go”, The Age, 11 June.

[22] Richard Hinds (1992) “Roos salvages happy ending for the Lions”, The Age, 31 May; Howard Leigh (1992) “Bye Bye Pie”, Herald-Sun, 31 May; Greg Baum (1992) “Roos and 20 seconds make the difference”, The Age, 1 June; Pete Carter (2020) Fitzroy’s Fabulous Century. Mr Smudge Books, Fremantle, pp.308-11.

[23] Rohan Connolly (1992) “Dogs’ blitz shuts out any chance for Roys”, The Age, 9 June.

[24] Trent Bouts (1992) “Lions plan torn apart”, The Age, 14 June; Daryl Timms (1992) “It’s no trouble for Doc”, Herald-Sun, 15 June; Holmesby, Ibid, p.136.

[25] Glenn Quartermain (1992) “Fitzroy fever”, Herald-Sun, 21 June; Gerard Wright (1992) “Lions claw Blues to lift final hopes”, The Age, 21 June; Tony De Bolfo (1992) “Abbott does big job”, Herald-Sun, 21 June.

[26] Gerard Wright (1992) “Paul Abbott, Fitzroy”, The Age, 21 June.

[27] Tony De Bolfo (1992) “Lions’ dream a step closer”, Herald-Sun, 22 June.

[28] Greg Baum (1992) “Demons’ big effort catches Lions on wrong foot”, The Age, 29 June.

[29] Peter Stone (1992) “Lions laughter tells it all”, Herald-Sun, 6 July; Ben Potter (1992) “Buckenara to make Swans pay for defeat”, The Age, 6 July.

[30] Greg Baum (1992) “Dons stay in finals race as Fitzroy goes down fighting”, The Age, 13 July; Paul Gough (1992) “Bombers hang onto finals hope”, Herald-Sun, 13 July.

[31] Stephen Linnell (1992) “Fitzroy’s hopes dive after loss to Brisbane”, The Age, 19 July.

[32] Greg Denham (1992) “Lions had reasons aplenty to win, but not will”, The Age, 26 July.

[33] Richard Hinds (1992) “Roys do enough to win, but Saints get the points”, The Age, 2 August.

[34] Gerard Wright (1992) “Cats shuffle back to top”, The Age, 9 August.

[35] Anon (1992) “West holds off Roys”, 15 August.

[36] James Weston (1992) “Lions’ win heightens gloom”, Herald-Sun, 23 August; Glenn McFarlane (1992) “Flat Lions finally end slump”, Herald-Sun, 24 August.

[37] Glen Quartermain (1992) “Here’s one for Schimma”, Herald-Sun, 30 August.

[38] Robert Shaw (1992) “1992 Coach’s Report” in Fitzroy Football Club 1992 Annual Report, p.6.

[39] For a summary of his tremendous Fitzroy career, see Chris Donald (2002) Fitzroy: For the love of the jumper. Pennon Publishing, Melbourne, pp.251-255.

 

 

More from Philip Mendes can be read Here.

 

To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.

 

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?

And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE.

 

One-off financial contribution – CLICK HERE.

 

Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE.