The Death of a Club.

[RustyCage]

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/08/30/1156816968273.html
The heartbreak of losing Fitzroy
Jarrod Molloy

August 31, 2006


Fitzroy left Jarrod Molloy with lasting lessons.

I'D TORN my hamstring three weeks before Fitzroy played its last game, but I never would have missed playing in it.

As I put on my jumper for the last time, it was difficult to clear my head. It had been such an emotional week, and there was a feeling of emptiness about the pre-match preparation. It was difficult for the team to concentrate.

Most Fitzroy supporters had bade farewell the previous week against Richmond in Melbourne, but many made the trip to Perth to see their beloved Roys for the last time. To be honest, the game is a blur. But what I do remember is the after-match. It was the day that I learnt how much something as simple as a football team can mean to so many people.

At Fitzroy, like most clubs, we had trainers who were practically part of the furniture. They had been there when my father played, I'd seen them as Micky Conlan took me around the rooms to meet my idols, and they were there when I played my first game in 1994. One in particular I will mention.

Kevin Elms was a great old bloke who provided the players with a laugh on many occasions. I was told he was an amateur wrestler back in his day. "Kevie" had been there for years, and had massaged and strapped God-knows-how-many players. I remember seeing him after the game that day in the trainers room, emptying some water bottles, something he had done a million times before. As the theme song sounded in the background, tears rolled down our cheeks and we hugged. To me, now it was final.

I have one other memory of the day. It brought a few tears at the time, and it almost has the same effect writing this now. It was the sight of the supporters grouped together, singing the song for the last time, as the players' bus pulled away. I'll never forget it.

It had been a difficult year. I certainly don't compare football with the struggles of life, but in my world, Fitzroy was just about everything. I have very few memories of my childhood, but I do remember my days at the Junction Oval, cheering on my favourite player, Conlan, and watching Bernie Quinlan dobbing a long goal for his 100th of the season.

The speculation about Fitzroy's survival had been happening for years, so it was nothing new when the rumours resurfaced midway through the 1996 season.

People were saying that North Melbourne would be the best team to merge with. But I ignored the talk. Michael Nunan was the coach, and he was using me at full-back. I enjoyed this, playing on the likes of Dunstall, Lockett, Ablett and Lyon, four of the all-time best. It was only my third year.

With only four or five games remaining, the end became more of a reality. It had been announced that Brisbane was now the team most likely to merge with Fitzroy, and that the club would have access to eight Fitzroy players. This brought about two things. First, Nunan quit, saying the club needed a coach who could determine which eight players would move on as Brisbane Lions. Second, there was almost a player strike. A meeting was arranged with Ian Collins (then working for the AFL), where concerns were raised about the security of payments and the players' wellbeing.

I can remember sitting up the back with Chris Johnson wondering what was going on. I could understand their concerns, but there was no way I was going to forfeit the chance to wear my Fitzroy jumper. It was something I had dreamed of for as long as I could remember. And I knew it was coming to an end.

Jarrod Molloy played 59 games for Fitzroy, following in the footsteps of his father Graham. He later played for Brisbane Lions and Collingwood and is now an ABC radio analyst.

[Dutchy]

Why didnt someone save them....we wouldnt have the Power puffs if they were still around!

[am Bays]

I'll think you'll find Dutchy that Ross wanted a Melbourne club to fall over so Port could come in......they knew Fitroy was on life support give 'em nothing and they'll fall over as they did...

Now they have two Adelaide clubs and a 16 team comp, the AFL want a 16 team comp, hence why they prop up Melbourne, Kangeroos, Dogs and Carlton with the competitive balance fund...

[Dutchy]

I'll think you'll find Dutchy that Ross wanted a Melbourne club to fall over so Port could come in......they knew Fitroy was on life support give 'em nothing and they'll fall over as they did...

Now they have two Adelaide clubs and a 16 team comp, the AFL want a 16 team comp, hence why they prop up Melbourne, Kangeroos, Dogs and Carlton with the competitive balance fund...

understand all that...it was a comment in jest, will always be a minimum of 16 teams from here on in with TV rights....there are other reasons why they give money to Roos, Bullies and Melbourne because they are at a competitive disadvantage...as for Carlton this baffles me...they have just self destructed, how they could go from being so powerful off the field to now would be an interesting documentry one day

[PhilG]

..

[Brad]

Id agree about Carltons lack of vision in the 80's/90's. There 1995 premiership contained veterans Madden, Williams, Kernahan, Clape, Dean, Rice plus more I can't think of, everyone at the time said they would struggle if they didn't get young players and look whats happened, they can't anymore pull out the cheque book and sign Kernahan/Bradley/Motley like they did in the 80's, because of the draft and they are financially f^%^ed these days.