Almanac Book Review – ‘Merger’ (Part 3): The Supporters

Raging Bull offers Part 3 of his review of William Westerman’s ‘Merger: The Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996’ with a particular focus on the club’s fan base.

Almanac Teams: Arrivals and Departures (Fitzroy)

Rodney continues his series featuring teams made up of arrivals and departures from each club. This week it’s Fitzroy’s turn.

Voss – Part 2: The pantheon awaits

The impression Michael Voss made on Shane Reid in 1997 went a long way toward bridging the old Fitzroy with the new Lions in Shane’s heart…he supposes if anyone can become another Matthews or Barassi, why not Voss?

Almanac (Footy) History: The 25th anniversary of the Roys’ sunset in the west

Yesterday (Sep 1) was the 25th anniversary of Fitzroy’s last game in the VFL/AFL. This extract from William Westerman’s book Merger looks back on the curtain call of an event that some consider one of the most significant in the history of the VFL/AFL: Fitzroy’s clash with Fremantle and the end of their time in the League.

The Merger Coda: The Birth of the Brisbane Lions

William Westerman concludes his account of the Fitzroy Lions/Brisbane Bears merger by placing it into its historical context and finds that, although it was ‘a tragedy, it was also the birth of something unique and special.’

The Merger Trilogy: The Room Where It Happened

The ultimate fate of Fitzroy in the AFL was decided by a group of middle-aged men in suits at Punt Road Oval, as William Westerman recounts in this conclusion to his trilogy marking 25 years since the first (and hopefully only) merger in VFL/AFL history was confirmed.

The Merger Trilogy: On the Frontier

William Westerman continues to chart the story that saw the Fitzroy Football Club merge with the then Brisbane Bears to become the Brisbane Lions.

The Merger Trilogy: A Man Walked Into a Bar

It was 25 years ago that one of the most significant and earth-shaking events in the VFL/AFL’s 124 year history took place. William Westerman (author of ‘Merger’) has a three-part series on the machinations around Fitzroy’s path from proud original club to subject of administration and economic rationalisation. This is the first part of the trilogy.

Book Extract – Merger: The Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996

Another extract from William Westerman’s book, ‘Merger: the Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996’. Was this day the worst of a very grim season?

Almanac Books: The Fateful Season – Remembering the Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996

William Westerman explains his motives for writing his book about the Fitzroy FC: ‘Merger: The Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996’. Details for purchasing the book are provided.

Almanac Football History: Fitzroy’s last finals series, the fabulous 1986 season

Following on from his recent look back at 1984, Phillip Mendes revists what was to be the final VFL/AFL finals series for the Roys; 1986. From the smashing of the ’85 premiers to the retirement of Superboot, it was a momentous year.

1995: Bernie’s Boys make Cocky Crows eat humble pie

It will be 25 years this coming Wednesday since the Roys’ produced their last truly great performance in the VFL/AFL – Fitzroy Pete has shared with us his piece on that famous victory, featured as part of his book ‘Fitzroy’s Fabulous Century’.

The Pies’ most memorable wins over Brisbane (and Fitzroy) in the past 50 years

Steve Fahey looks at his most memorable Collingwood wins against Brisbane/Fitzroy. Will this weekend’s game be another classic?

The Story of a Cat

Footy is about many things. For many it is about family. As Dips O’Donnell goes to watch his Cats this weekend he reminisces how he became a Cats supporter and the intriguing story behind it.