Almanac Footy: Fitzroy Football Club’s season stars in the modern era – Best and Fairest votes, Brownlow Medal votes and leading goalkickers 1970-1996

 

Fitzroy Football Club’s season stars in the modern era: Best and Fairest votes, Brownlow Medal votes and leading goalkickers 1970-1996 by Philip Mendes

 

In this article, I draw on three key season statistics to identify Fitzroy’s greatest players of the modern era: top three finishes in the club’s Best and Fairest, top three polling in Brownlow Medal votes, and top three tallies in the club’s goalkicking.

 

Cream of the Crop

 Six players stand out for having won multiple club awards. They are as follows:

 

Garry Wilson

Five Best and Fairest awards, plus runner up twice.

Five times highest Brownlow Medal votes, and second five times. Career total of 161 votes.

Twice highest goalkicker, and runner up three times.

 

John Murphy

Five Best and Fairest awards including 1968, plus third placed twice.

Once highest Brownlow Medal votes, and second three times. Career total of 97 votes at Fitzroy.

Twice highest goalkicker, and runner up three times.

 

Bernie Quinlan

Three times runner up in Best and Fairest award.

One Brownlow Medal win. Once highest Brownlow Medal votes, and second twice. Career total of 62 votes at Fitzroy.

Five times leading goalkicker, and runner up twice. Two Coleman Medal victories.

 

Paul Roos

Five Best and Fairest awards.

Five times highest Brownlow Medal votes. Career total of 98 votes at Fitzroy.

Once leading goalkicker, second twice, and third three times.

 

Richard Osborne

Once runner up in Best and Fairest award.

Once highest Brownlow Medal vote. Career total of 44 votes at Fitzroy.

Five times leading goalkicker, and runner up twice.

 

Alistair Lynch

One Best and Fairest award, once runner-up, and once third.

Once second highest Brownlow Medal vote.

Once leading goalkicker, and third on three occasions.

 

 Meritorious

 

A number of other players achieved highly in one or more criteria. They are as follows:

 

Ron Alexander

One Best and Fairest award.

One highest Brownlow Medal votes, and runner-up once.

 

Warwick Irwin

One Best and Fairest award, and twice runner-up.

One highest Brownlow Medal votes.

Twice third in goalkicking.

 

Michael Conlan

Second in goalkicking three times, and third three times.

 

Matthew Rendell

Two Best and Fairest awards, and third once.

Third in Brownlow Medal votes.

Second in goalkicking.

 

Matthew Armstrong

Once Best and Fairest award runner-up.

Three times leading Brownlow Medal votes. Career total of 42 votes at Fitzroy.

 

Scott McIvor

One Best and Fairest award, and once runner-up.

 

Gary Pert

One Best and Fairest award, and once third.

Three times third in Brownlow Medal votes.

 

Darren Wheildon

Leading goalkicker twice, second twice, and third once.

 

Chris Smith

Once leading Brownlow Medal votes, and third twice.

 

Graeme Allen

Second in Best and Fairest award.

Twice third in Brownlow Medal votes.

Third in goalkicking.

 

Harvey Merrigan

Best and Fairest award and highest Brownlow Medal votes in one year.

 

Bob Beecroft

Best and Fairest award 3^rd placing.

Four times leading goalkicker.

 

 

Brett Stephens

Twice runner-up in Best and Fairest award.

One highest Brownlow Medal votes.

 

One hit wonders

 

And there were also a number of players who starred for a season or two including Alex Ruscuklic in 1970 and 1971, Mark Dwyer in 1986, Darren Kappler in 1988, and Brad Boyd in 1994 and 1995. Additionally, youngster Chris Johnson was a consistent goalkicker for the last three years of Fitzroy’s existence.

 

Season by Season Statistics

 

1970

 

Having moved to play home games at the Junction Oval, St Kilda, the Roys experienced a major improvement in game attendances. But they only won nine games to finish an ordinary 9th. The highlight was a round one victory over reigning premier Richmond in front of the visiting Queen of England.[i] Centreman John Murphy had an excellent season, winning his second best and fairest and finishing second in the club goalkicking.

 

Best and Fairest: John Murphy, Russell Crow, Noel Zunneberg.

Brownlow Votes: Noel Zunneberg 12, John Newnham 8, Norm Dare 7.

Leading Goalkickers: Alex Ruscuklic 49, John Murphy 44, Doug Searl 18.

 

1971

 

The Roys won their final four matches to secure 12 wins for the season, and finish a respectable 6^th on the ladder. This was their highest finish since 1960. Forward Alex Ruscuklic had a sensational season, taking 216 marks, and totalling 415 disposals.

 

Best and Fairest: John Murphy 170, Kevin Murray 144, Alex Ruscuklic 133.

Brownlow Votes: Alex Ruscuklic 16 (equal 5^th overall), John Murphy 14, David Rhodes 9.

Leading Goalkickers: John Murphy 47, Alex Ruscuklic 31, Newton 30.

 

1972

 

The Roys started brilliantly winning four out of their first five games including victories over the two grand finalists of 1971. But from there, they fell away to finish a poor 8^th with nine wins. However, second year rover Garry Wilson starred, winning the club best and fairest and goalkicking awards.

 

Best and Fairest: Garry Wilson 202, Laurie Richards 137, John Murphy 106.

Brownlow Votes: John Murphy 15 (6^th overall), Garry Wilson 10, Harvey Merrigan 9.

Leading Goalkickers: Garry Wilson 37, Renato Serafini 31, John Murphy 29.

 

1973

 

The Roys again struggled, winning only nine games to finish 8th.

 

Best and Fairest: John Murphy 240, Garry Wilson 144, Warwick Irwin 125.

Brownlow Votes: Garry Wilson 14 (equal 10^th overall), John Murphy 6, Kevin Murray 5.

Leading Goalkickers: Garry Wilson 43, John Murphy 33, Warwick Irwin 22.

 

1974

 

The Roys had a very disappointing season, finishing 11^th with only four wins and a draw. Club games record holder and 1969 Brownlow medallist Kevin Murray played his final game.

 

Best and Fairest: Harvey Merrigan 196, Garry Wilson 164, John Murphy 121.

Brownlow Votes: Harvey Merrigan 11 (11^th overall), Laurie Richards 8, Garry Wilson 7.

Leading Goalkickers: David Wall 35, Garry Wilson 29, Warwick Irwin 25.

 

1975

 

The Roys improved under new coach Kevin Rose to win nine games and finish 9^th on the ladder.

 

Best and Fairest: Warwick Irwin 112, David McMahon 101, Alan Thompson 94.

Brownlow Votes: Warwick Irwin 10, Wayne Linton 7, David McMahon 7, John Murphy 7.

Leading Goalkickers: Renato Serafini 34, Chris Smith 32, John Murphy 27.

 

1976

 

The Roys again disappointed with only seven wins to finish in 11^th place.

 

Best and Fairest: Garry Wilson 133, Ian Miller 127, Ron Alexander 87.

Brownlow Votes; Ron Alexander 26 (7^th overall), Garry Wilson 24, Kevin O’Keefe 21.

Leading Goalkickers: John Murphy 35, Garry Wilson 32, Renato Serafini 24.

 

1977

The Lions won only six games for the season to finish a disappointing 10^th. But their 28 year old captain John Murphy had an exceptional season, winning his 5^th best and fairest, and coming second in the club goalkicking. Unfortunately, this was his final year at Fitzroy before switching to South Melbourne.

 

Best and Fairest: John Murphy 175, Graeme Allan 122, Garry Wilson 104, Bob Beecroft 88.

Brownlow Votes: Garry Wilson 21, John Murphy 16, Graeme Allan 14.

Leading Goalkickers: Bob Beecroft 59, John Murphy 32, Graeme Allan 25, Garry Wilson 24.

 

1978

 

The Roys improved significantly in the second half of the year to secure eight victories and finish 9^th on the ladder. They were also successful in winning the Night Premiership.[ii] Best and Fairest winner Garry Wilson had a dominating season, totalling 646 disposals, 134 marks, and 42 goals. He won multiple media awards such as The Age Footballer of the Year, and was placed a close third in the Brownlow Medal.

 

Best and Fairest: Garry Wilson 186, Warwick Irwin 135, Ron Alexander 108.

Brownlow Votes: Garry Wilson 20 (3^rd overall), Ron Alexander 13 (11^th overall), Chris Smith 9.

Leading Goalkickers: Bob Beecroft 65, Garry Wilson 42, Warwick Irwin 34,

David McMahon 34.

 

1979

 

The Roys jumped up the ladder to finish 4^th with 15 wins before losing to Collingwood in the First Semi Final. This was their first final series since 1960. A massive highlight was their highest ever VFL score and greatest ever winning margin against Melbourne in Round 17. Garry Wilson had another outstanding season, winning multiple media awards, and finishing a close second in the Brownlow Medal.[iii]

 

Best and Fairest: Garry Wilson 262, Bernie Quinlan 111, Warwick Irwin 109.

Brownlow Votes: Garry Wilson 21 (2^nd overall), Bernie Quinlan 12, Graeme Allan 11.

Leading Goalkickers: Bob Beecroft 87, Bernie Quinlan 48, Garry Wilson 46.

 

1980

 

The Roys unexpectedly dropped down the ladder to finish bottom with only four wins and a draw.

 

Best and Fairest: Garry Wilson 112, Warwick Irwin 110, Chris Smith 89, Bernie Quinlan 85.

Brownlow Votes: Chris Smith 16 (equal 6^th overall), Garry Wilson 11, Warwick Irwin 8.

Leading Goalkickers: Bob Beecroft 63 (6^th overall), Michael Conlan 39, Garry Wilson 33.

 

1981

 

The Roys rose dramatically under new Coach Robert Walls to win 14 games and finish the home and away season in 5^th place. They managed to beat Essendon in the Elimination Final before losing to Collingwood in the First Semi Final. Veteran Bernie Quinlan won the Brownlow Medal.[iv]

 

Best and Fairest: Ron Alexander 140, Bernie Quinlan 131, Garry Wilson 90 (missed seven games through injury).

Brownlow Votes: Bernie Quinlan (22 votes, Winner), Garry Wilson 9, Chris Smith 9.

Leading Goalkickers: Bernie Quinlan 73, Matthew Rendell 44, Michael Conlan 41.

 

1982

 

The Roys performed below expectations, securing 12 wins and a draw to finish 6^th on the ladder. Michael Conlan won the Goal of the Year for his Round 17 effort against Hawthorn.[v]

 

Best and Fairest: Matthew Rendell 167, Bernie Quinlan 116, Garry Wilson 100.

Brownlow Votes: Garry Wilson 14, Grant Lawrie 10, Les Parish 8.

Leading Goalkickers: Bernie Quinlan 53, Michael Conlan 52, Garry Wilson 40.

 

1983

 

This was Fitzroy’s best season of the modern era, and the only time they seemed a genuine premiership contender. The Roys won 15 games to finish 3^rd on the ladder at the end of the home and away season, but lost both finals to Hawthorn and Essendon. Bernie Quinlan won his first Coleman Medal.[vi]

 

Best and Fairest: Matthew Rendell 155, Bernie Quinlan 108, Scott Clayton 106.

Brownlow Votes: Laurie Serafini 9, Garry Wilson 8, Matthew Rendell 8, Les Parish 8.

Leading Goalkickers: Bernie Quinlan 116 (VFL leading goalkicker), Michael Conlan 51, Garry Wilson 38.

 

 

1984

 

The Roys won 11 games in 1984 to finish 5^th before losing the Elimination Final to Collingwood. Bernie Quinlan won the Coleman Medal for the second year in a row.[vii]

 

Best and Fairest: Ross Thornton 105, Richard Osborne 99, Bill Lokan 98.

Brownlow Votes: Richard Osborne 10, Bernie Quinlan 9, Bill Lokan 7, Gary Pert 7.

Leading Goalkickers: Bernie Quinlan 105, Michael Conlan 51, Garry Wilson 30.

 

 

1985

 

At the end of 1984, the Roys lost topliners in Garry Wilson, David McMahon and Garry Sidebottom. Playing home games at Victoria Park, Collingwood, for the first time, they fell to 9^th on the ladder with only seven wins.

 

Best and Fairest: Paul Roos 159, Bernie Quinlan 90, Gary Pert 85.

Brownlow Votes: Paul Roos 16 (3^rd overall), Richard Osborne 6, Laurie Serafini 3, Gary Pert 3, Bernie Harris 3, Bill Lokan 3.

Leading Goalkickers: Bernie Quinlan 84 (2^nd overall), Richard Osborne 39, Doug Barwick 26.

 

1986

 

The Roys won 13 games to finish 5^th on the ladder, and managed to overcome Essendon and Sydney in two finals before succumbing to eventual premier Hawthorn in the Preliminary Final. Champion centre half back Paul Roos finished in the top three in the Brownlow Medal for the second year in a row.[viii]

 

Best and Fairest: Paul Roos 189, Scott McIvor 112, Leon Harris 108.

Brownlow Votes: Paul Roos 16 (3^rd overall), Mark Dwyer (10 from only 11 games in his debut year), Gary Pert 8.

Leading Goalkickers: Richard Osborne 62, Bernie Quinlan 50, Michael Conlan 45.

 

 

1987

 

Despite the retirement of champion Bernie Quinlan, the Roys started well with five wins from their first eight games. But they managed only three further wins to finish 11^th.

 

Best and Fairest: Scott McIvor 179, Leon Harris 132, Paul Roos 131.

Brownlow Votes: Paul Roos 10, Gary Keane 10, Richard Osborne 6.

Leading Goalkickers: Richard Osborne 62 (7^th overall), Doug Barwick 47, Paul Roos 29.

 

1988

 

The Roys won only seven games to finish a poor 12^th (3^rd bottom) on the ladder. Nevertheless, winger Darren Kappler had a superb year, winning the club Best and Fairest, and scoring 14 votes in the Brownlow Medal. His total stats included 76 marks and 15 goals.

 

Best and Fairest: Darren Kappler 165, Matthew Armstrong 155, John Ironmonger 117.

Brownlow Votes: Darren Kappler 14 (equal 5^th overall), Matthew Armstrong 7, Paul Roos 4, Ross Lyon 4, Jim Wynd 4.

Leading Goalkickers: Richard Osborne 60 (6^th overall), Paul Roos 30, Alistair Lynch 24.

 

1989

 

The Roys displayed significant improvement, winning 12 games in a topsy turvy season to finish a creditable 6^th place on the ladder.[ix]

 

Best and Fairest: Gary Pert 160, Brett Stephens 158, Paul Roos 131.

Brownlow Votes: Matthew Armstrong 9, Richard Osborne 9, Paul Roos 8.

Leading Goalkickers: Richard Osborne 68 (4^th overall), Paul Roos 36, Alistair Lynch 26.

 

 

1990

 

Battered by injuries, the Roys won only seven games to finish 12^th on the ladder.

 

Best and Fairest: Scott Clayton 112, Mark Bunn 95, Ross Lyon 94, Matthew Rendell 94.

Brownlow Votes: Brett Stephens 8, Ross Lyon 8, John Ironmonger 5.

Leading Goalkickers: Paul Roos 49, Darren Wheildon 24, Richard Osborne 20.

 

1991

 

The Roys lost their opening eight games under new coach Robert Shaw, and eventually finished second bottom with only four victories.

 

Best and Fairest: Paul Roos 189, Alistair Lynch 172, Paul Broderick 123.

Brownlow Votes: Paul Roos 11, John Ironmonger 6, Alistair Lynch 4, Ross Lyon 4.

Leading Goalkickers: Darren Wheildon 29, Richard Osborne 26, Paul Roos 21.

 

1992

 

The Roys won nine games in a competitive 1992 season to finish 10^th.[x]

 

Best and Fairest: Paul Roos 235, Brett Stephens 116, Alastair Lynch 83, Peter Caven 83.

Brownlow Votes: Paul Roos 10, Matthew Dundas 9, Brett Stephens 5, Joe Cormack 5, Brendon McCormack 5.

Leading Goalkickers: Richard Osborne 58, Darren Wheildon 41, Alastair Lynch 27.

 

 

1993

 

The Roys won their last four matches to finish 11th with 10 wins and 10 losses. Alastair Lynch had an outstanding season. He won the Fitzroy Best and Fairest, made the all-Australian team, and finished 8^th in the AFL goalkicking table.[xi]

 

Best and Fairest: Alistair Lynch 209, John McCarthy 107, Paul Broderick 106.

Brownlow Votes: Matthew Armstrong 11 (overall equal 15^th), Alastair Lynch 10,  James Wynd 6.

Leading Goalkickers: Alistair Lynch 68, John McCarthy 40, Darren Wheildon 28.

 

 

1994

 

Having lost topliner Alistair Lynch and a number of other crucial players, the Roys struggled at their new home ground, the Western Oval in Footscray. They won only five games to finish second bottom with five wins.

 

Best and Fairest: Paul Roos 343, Brad Boyd 204, Simon Hawking 173.

Brownlow Votes: Matthew Armstrong 7, Paul Roos 6, Anthony McGregor 5, Peter Sartori 5.

Leading Goalkickers: Darren Wheildon 26, Jeff Hogg 23, Chris Johnson 23.

 

1995

 

Many leading senior players including Paul Roos and Matthew Armstrong left the club for greener pastures. The Roys won only two games to finish bottom of the ladder.

 

Best and Fairest: Brad Boyd 303, Mark Zanotti 236, Simon Atkins 232.

Brownlow Votes: Doug Hawkins 6, Simon Atkins 6, Mark Zanotti 5.

Leading Goalkickers: Chris Johnson 25, Brad Boyd 24, Jarrod Molloy 23.

 

1996

 

Represented by a very inexperienced squad, the Roys won only one game in their final year of AFL football to finish bottom.

 

Best and Fairest: Martin Pike 299, Matthew Primus 291, Scott Bamford 255.

Brownlow Votes: Martin Pike 6, Chris Johnson 5, Matthew Primus 2, Scott Bamford 2, Anthony Mellington 2, John Rombotis 2.

Leading Goalkickers: Anthony Mellington 22, Chris Johnson 19, John Rombotis 15, Simon Hawking 15.

 

[i] Jim Main (2007) Fitzroy. BAS Publishing, pp.176-178.

 

[ii] Philip Mendes (2021) “Starting to Rise: Fitzroy Football Club’s promising 1978 day and night season”, Footy Almanac, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/almanac-football-history-starting-to-rise-fitzroy-fcs-promising-1978-day-and-night-season/.

 

[iii] Philip Mendes (2020) “Rising from the cellar: Fitzroy’s outstanding 1979 season”, Footy Almanac, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/rising-from-the-cellar-fitzroys-outstanding-1979-season/.

 

[iv] Philip Mendes (2020) “From the foot of the table to the Final Five: Fitzroy’s exhilarating 1981 season”, Footy Almanac, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/from-the-foot-of-the-table-to-the-final-five-fitzroys-exhilarating-1981-season/. On Quinlan’s Brownlow Medal victory, see The Brownlow: A tribute to the greats of Australian football. The Slattery Media Group. Melbourne. 2010, pp.197-199.

 

[v] Philip Mendes (2021) “On the rise but just short of finals action: Fitzroy’s promising 1982 season”, Footy Almanac, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/on-the-rise-but-just-short-of-finals-action-fitzroys-promising-1982-season/.

 

[vi] Philip Mendes (2019) “So close to the Holy Grail: A personal reflection on Fitzroy Football Club’s 1983 season”, Footy Almanac, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/so-close-to-the-holy-grail-a-personal-reflection-on-fitzroy-football-clubs-1983-season/.

 

[vii] Philip Mendes (2020) “Fitzroy Football Club’s Topsy Turvy 1984 season”, Footy Almanac, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/almanac-football-history-fitzroys-topsy-turvy-1984/.

 

[viii] Philip Mendes (2020) “Fitzroy’s last finals series: the fabulous 1986 season”, Footy Almanac, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/fitzroys-last-finals-series-the-fabulous-1986-season/.

 

[ix] Philip Mendes (2021) “One last tilt at Finals Football: Fitzroy’s inconsistent 1989 season”, Footy Almanac, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/almanac-football-history-one-last-tilt-at-finals-football-fitzroys-inconsistent-1989/.

 

[x] Philip Mendes (2022) “Regaining respect: Fitzroy’s highly competitive 1992 season”, Footy Almanac, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/almanac-football-history-regaining-respect-fitzroys-highly-competitive-1992-season/.

 

[xi] Philip Mendes (2022) “The calm before the storm: Fitzroy’s break even 1993 season”, Footy Almanac, https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/almanac-footy-the-calm-before-the-storm-fitzroys-break-even-1993/.

 

 

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