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David Bolton, Ross Thornton, Paul Hawke and Dean Turner battle for possession during a typically frenetic phase of the 1986 VFL 1st semi final.
Prior to the Swans' relocation to Sydney in 1982 the histories of the Fitzroy and South Melbourne Football Clubs had been remarkably similar in many respects. Both clubs had enjoyed success during the VFL's early years, followed by prolonged periods of under achievement, interspersed with occasional, fleeting forays into the winners' enclosure. Both Fitzroy and South had fielded a multiplicity of individual champions, including no fewer than 17 Brownlow Medallists between them, but since World War Two the nearest either had come to achieving team success had been the 3 losing preliminary finals managed by the 'Roys.
Since 1982 the clubs' respective destinies had diverged significantly. The Swans were now a privately owned institution, based in Sydney, exuding a glittering facade of wealth, optimism and ambition. That it was ultimately a facade would soon become clear, but when the 2 sides ran on to the ground for the start of the 1986 1st semi final it genuinely seemed to be a case of 'Silvertails versus Paupers'.
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The Paupers, Fitzroy, had captured the public imagination and affection in a way no club in the VFL had managed since North Melbourne in the early '70s. With a tactically astute coach in the shape of former Hawthorn great David Parkin (pictured left) the Lions of '86 were a pre-eminent example of a team making the absolute most of what they had. This is not to suggest that the side was bereft of talent: full forward Bernie 'Superboot' Quinlan, ruckman and skipper Matt Rendell, key defenders Gary Pert and Paul Roos, and runners like Bill Lokan, Micky Conlan, Mark Clayton and Scott McIvor lost little or anything in comparison with any other players in the League. Elsewhere in the side, however, there was a lack of depth which ought to have been disconcerting, but which to Parkin's and the players' credit was sufficiently well masked and compensated for as to enable the Lions to compete on equal terms with any other team in the competition. |
During the season, Sydney and Fitzroy had met twice, with the Swans winning 18.18 (126) to 14.17 (101) in round 10 in Sydney, and the Lions by 10 points in the round 22 return game, a win which ultimately procured finals participation. Overall, however, Sydney had enjoyed a better season, winning 16 out of 22 home and away matches to qualify for the finals in 2nd place. Fitzroy, with 12 wins, had scraped into the finals on percentage, finishing equal on points with both Collingwood and North Melbourne.
| In the elimination final Fitzroy had scored an emotional 1 point victory over reigning premiers Essendon courtesy of a Micky Conlan goal 45 seconds before the final siren. Sydney, meanwhile, had been disappointing in going under to Carlton by 16 points in the qualifying final, but were still considered warm favourites going into the 1st semi. For much of the 1986 season the Swans running brigade of Greg Williams (co winner of the '86 Brownlow Medal), Gerard Healy, David Bolton, Merv Neagle, Paul Hawke, David Murphy, Stevie Wright and Co. had wreaked havoc among opposition defences, while the high leaping 'blond bombshell' Warwick Capper had etched his way into the record books, and many fans' hearts, with a series of goal kicking feats of the highest order. Throw in miserly full back Rod Carter and mobile big men like 'the two Tonys', Morwood and Daniher, and there could be little doubt as to which team, on paper, was the more talented. |
Sydney's Gerard Healy 'sinks the slipper' against Hawthorn. |
On the plus side for Fitzroy was news that it would be bolstered by the return from injury of arguably its 2 most significant players, Bernie Quinlan and Matt Rendell. Meanwhile veteran Sydney coach Tom Hafey sprang a big surprise by omitting the formidable 'man mountain' John Ironmonger from his side and replacing him with inexperienced Queenslander Tony Smith. It was an audacious move, aimed at counteracting Rendell's renowned ability to pick up telling possessions all over the ground, but ultimately it failed. Rendell was one of Fitzroy's best while, after a bright start, Smith's effect on the match was negligible.
Whatever vestigial remnants of the Fitzroy Football Club continue to exist in the bowels of Brisbane - and that is very much a matter of opinion rather than fact - the 1986 1st semi final defeat of Sydney remains the club's last significant achievement as an autonomous organisation.
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5 mins Rendell wins a ruck tap on the 50 metre arc at half forward right for the Lions. He knocks the ball to Quinlan, who palms it to Dwyer. The livewire Fitzroy wingman finds Lokan with a handpass, and Lokan spears out a low left foot pass to McGrath who marks 35 metres from goal directly in front. He has no trouble in converting. Fitzroy 1.1; Sydney 0.0 10 mins Dwyer marks on his chest in the centre of the ground and is promptly 'scragged' by Browning. From the resultant 15 metre penalty Dwyer finds Osborne at centre half forward who nonchalantly goals. Fitzroy 2.1; Sydney 0.0 15 mins Quinlan gathers the ball cleanly at a ball up 15 metres from goal but has his attempted snap shot smothered. The ball trickles out via Hitchin to Conlan (pictured left) deep in the left forward pocket and from a seemingly impossible angle he executes a perfect left foot 'banana kick' to goal. Fitzroy 3.2; Sydney 0.0 |
At this point, Fitzroy are dominated proceedings completely, with the Swans having only entered their forward 50 on one occasion.
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18 mins Sydney's first concerted foray into attack culminates in Bolton snapping truly under extreme duress from 20 metres out directly in front. Fitzroy 3.3; Sydney 1.1 21 mins With a new spring in their collective step Sydney surge forward again via a probing kick from Roberts which lands at half forward right where it is collected by Morwood. Quickly spotting the best option open to him, Morwood feeds off to the running Bayes (shown right), who is in metres of space, and the Swans on baller is able to run forward and goal easily from point blank range. Fitzroy 3.3; Sydney 2.1 26 mins Bayes is awarded a free kick just ahead of the centre circle and thumps the ball almost 60 metres to the right hand point of the goal square where Morwood soars above the waiting pack to take a bona fide 'screamer' - the "mark of the year" according to Channel 7 commentator, Bob Skilton. There is no anti climactic follow up, as Morwood kicks truly. Fitzroy 3.4; Sydney 3.1 |
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27 mins Fitzroy's response is swift and telling. From the ensuing centre bounce Osborne clears the ball with a probing kick which lands 15 metres from goal, bouncing once before being trapped by Quinlan. The big Fitzroy spearhead then just manages to squeeze the ball through for a goal despite being hurled against the right hand goal post by Carter. Fitzroy 4.4; Sydney 3.1
The siren sounds for quarter time shortly afterwards. The Lions had appeared in complete control for the first 15 minutes or so, successfully implementing a prototype version of what in the ensuing decade would come to be termed 'flooding'; later in the term, however, the Swans' running players had begun to break free and create numerous opportunities for their forwards, so that at the 1st change it was quintessentially 'anybody's game'. QUARTER TIME: Fitzroy 4.4 (28); Sydney 3.2 (20)
3 mins After a Swans behind, Sydney rover Murphy marks Pert's kick-in at half forward right, and pumps the ball back towards the goal square, where a marking contest occurs. The umpire spots an infringement and awards a free kick to Capper who would probably have goaled anyway, but has absolutely no difficulty whatsoever in doing so after gaining 15 metres courtesy of an opponents' indiscretion in throwing the ball away. Fitzroy 4.5; Sydney 4.3
8 mins Browning in his 232nd VFL game takes a free kick from right centre wing. His high left foot drop punt travels to centre half forward where it comes off hands and is gathered by Healy, whose quick handball finds Morwood. The big Swans utility's left foot, around the corner snap shot is perfectly executed and sails through for a goal, putting Sydney in front for the first time in the match. Sydney 5.3; Fitzroy 4.6
9 mins Once again, Fitzroy's response is potently prompt as Clayton fields Rendell's tap at the centre bounce and feeds McGrath on the left edge of the square. McGrath's hasty left foot kick under pressure bounces just in front of Quinlan at centre half forward, who taps it into the path of the running Conlan. With time to look up and steady, Conlan is never going to miss from a distance of 15 metres from goal almost directly in front. Fitzroy 5.6; Sydney 5.3
10 mins This time it is the Swans' turn to effect the quick reply as Wright kicks truly from a free kick awarded for an indiscriminate elbow in the head. Sydney 6.3; Fitzroy 5.6
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14 mins Fitzroy move the ball from one goal square to another with just 2 kicks. Pert (shown left, attempting to spoil) kicks in after a Sydney behind and sends the ball almost to the centre of the ground where it comes off hands to Dwyer, who handballs to Barwick. The barrel-chested Lions on baller unleashes a towering drop punt which travels to within 10 metres of goal to where Quinlan, with clever use of the body, manages to outmaneuver Carter and, diving forward, mark strongly on the chest. He makes no mistake. Fitzroy 6.6; Sydney 6.5 18 mins Morwood marks Browning's pass on the left half forward flank, plays on immediately, and, having adroitly eluded an onrushing defender, has time to straighten up and coolly register full points. Sydney 7.5; Fitzroy 6.7 |
"It's an aggressive game without being spiteful," remarks Channel 7 commentator Louie 'the Lip' Richards.
23 mins After a prolonged spell of fruitless Fitzroy pressure a Swans breakaway down the right hand side of the ground culminates in Warwick Capper running into an open goal to register his 92nd major of the season. Sydney 8.5; Fitzroy 6.7
HALF TIME: Sydney 8.5 (53); Fitzroy 6.8 (44)
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12 mins After a succession of behinds to both teams the Swans take the ball the entire length of the ground via Browning, Neagle, Murphy, Wright and Bayes, before Daniher snaps truly to register the 1st goal of the term. Sydney 9.8; Fitzroy 6.12 16 mins Daniher strikes again with a powerful left foot snap shot from almost 50 metres out, propelling the Swans into their biggest lead (20 points) of the afternoon. Sydney 10.8; Fitzroy 6.12 19 mins With heavy rain starting to fall Osborne marks strongly at half forward right and, despite having his left arm pinned, plays on quickly, managing to drop the ball onto his boot with his free hand and propel it forward 15 metres or so into the waiting arms of Conlan. Fitzroy's hero of the previous week's elimination final against Essendon runs his full measure before steering his kick just inside the right central upright. Sydney 10.8; Fitzroy 7.13 |
Fitzroy's tenacious defender, John Blakey. |
25 mins A boundary throw in on the right half forward flank for Sydney sees Coleman out-jostle Rendell to win the tap. The ball reaches Morwood, who appears to throw the ball to Bolton, but the umpire is unsighted. Bolton's left foot snap from just in front of the true centre half forward position is accurate. Sydney 11.8; Fitzroy 7.14
25 mins Within 5 seconds of the re-start Fitzroy have responded with a goal. McIvor sharks Coleman's tap at the centre bounce and his left foot kick is marked by Conlan just beyond the front edge of the centre square. With a couple of metres separating him from his nearest opponent, Conlan chooses to play on, and sends a thumping 50 metre-plus drop punt right through the centre of the goals. Sydney 11.8; Fitzroy 8.14
When the siren goes minutes later there have been no additions to the score. THREE QUARTER TIME: Sydney 11.8 (74); Fitzroy 8.14 (62)
Within 15 seconds of play re-starting the Swans are presented with a gilt-edged opportunity to sign Fitzroy's death warrant as the ball reaches Healy, 20 metres from goal directly in front. However, the Sydney ruck rover and 1986 club champion sprays his kick badly, only just managing to register a minor score. Channel 7's Peter Landy promptly exonerates Healy with the observation, "the ball must be slippery".
1 min The Lions' punishment of Healy's indiscretion is almost instantaneous as they swiftly relay the ball to the other end of the ground and claim full points via the prodigiously precise boot of arguably the game's pre-eminent player, Bill Lokan. Sydney 11.9; Fitzroy 9.14
4 mins Clayton at half back right sends an ugly looking tumble punt forward 50 metres where it is collected by Harris, who has just come onto the ground from the interchange bench. Harris eludes an attempted tackle and forces a hurried kick forwards towards the goal square. The ball just eludes Quinlan and Carter, who are engaged in a vigorous wrestling match, and is on its way through the goals when Osborne arrives on the scene to provide insurance via a helpful last minute toe poke. Sydney 11.9; Fitzroy 10.14
6 mins From a boundary throw in on the right half forward flank McAsey of the Swans soars above the 2 contesting ruckmen to win the tap. However, it is ill directed, bouncing straight to Harris, whose quick fire left foot snap floats over everyone's heads, bounces almost precisely on the goal line, and then over for full points before anyone can intercept. Fitzroy 11.14; Sydney 11.9
8 mins The last term is developing into a carbon copy of the game's opening quarter as Fitzroy continue to dominate. From a ball up just outside the goal square Quinlan, having out-muscled Carter, taps the ball into the air and then collects it himself before registering his 3rd major of the game with a low, left foot snap. 'BERNIE IS GOD!' proclaims a banner in the crowd. Fitzroy 12.14; Sydney 11.9
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11 mins Sydney's first serious attacking thrust since the opening moments of the quarter sees Capper (pictured left, marking) just managing to keep the ball in play at half forward left before sending a high, looping handball in field to Wright. The Sydney rover kicks towards full forward where the ball comes off hands just in front of Morwood, and despite torrid opposition pressure the Swans big man just manages to get his toe to the ball and prod it over the goal line for a desperately needed 6 pointer. Fitzroy 12.14; Sydney 12.9 16 mins From a boundary throw in on the right half forward flank Quinlan palms the ball directly to McIvor whose unwieldy left foot snap shot is nevertheless accurate. Fitzroy 13.14; Sydney 12.9 23 mins Mitchell collects the ball on right centre wing and handballs to Bayes who has time to run inside 50, steady, turn on to his preferred left foot, and set up a tumultuous final 6 minutes by kicking truly from 40 metres out on a 45 degree angle. Fitzroy 13.15; Sydney 13.10 |
Despite the frantic endeavours of both sets of players there are no further goals, and Fitzroy, having thoroughly dominated the opening and closing phases of the game, run out deserving victors by 5 points. The Lions had tackled harder, won more possessions (294 to 260) and played a much more assured, tactically convincing game than the Swans. The only real surprise had been that Sydney had managed to restrict Fitzroy to such a narrow margin of victory. FINAL SCORE: Fitzroy 13.16 (94); Sydney 13.11 (89)
Whatever vestigial remnants of the Fitzroy Football Club continue to exist in the bowels of Brisbane - and that is very much a matter which refuses objective scrutiny - the 1986 1st semi final defeat of Sydney remains the club's last significant achievement as an autonomous organisation.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Pts | |
| Fitzroy | 4.4 | 6.8 | 8.14 | 13.16 | 94 |
| Sydney | 3.2 | 8.5 | 11.8 | 13.11 | 89 |
BEST - Fitzroy: Lokan, Clayton, Rendell, Pekin, Conlan, Osborne Sydney: Neagle, Morwood, Williams, Bayes, Murphy
GOALS - Fitzroy: Conlan 4; Quinlan 3; Osborne 2; Harris, Lokan, McIvor, McGrath Sydney: Morwood 4; Bayes, Bolton, Capper, Daniher 2; Wright
ATTENDANCE: 65,763 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
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