1st Ruck
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A fine aerialist and penetrative kick as well as an intelligent palmer of the ball to his rovers Bert Clay played 157 games – mostly as a ruckman - for Fitzroy between 1940 and 1951. By some measure the best remembered of these was the 1944 VFL grand final when he was instrumental in the Gorillas’ – as they were then known – defeat of Richmond. Clay rucked throughout the game that day and, in the opinion of his opposite number, Tiger champion Jack Dyer, was the single most important factor in Fitzroy’s upset win. |
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Paul
Kelly was one of those rare players in whom the product on display seemed
to exceed the sum total of its parts. Tough, determined and
enormously courageous, Kelly also possessed inspirational qualities of
leadership which often helped push the Swans
over the line in games they ought to have lost.
Recruited from Wagga Tigers, Kelly, who made his Sydney debut in 1990, rapidly developed into one of his club's most important players. Having played a considerable amount of rugby during his formative years he excelled in attributes shared with that code such as tackling, obtaining the ball under duress, and evading opposition players whilst running with it. Over the years his kicking also improved, and indeed during the closing years of his career he developed into a goal poacher extraordinaire. At his peak between 1992 and 1997 Kelly won 4 Swans best and fairest awards during that time as well as the 1995 Brownlow Medal. He was also selected in the 1995, 1996 and 1997 AFL All Australian teams, being named captain in the last 2 of those years. Kelly's courage often sent him where angels fear to tread, and while this undoubtedly made him an inspiration to his team mates, it was also probably responsible for curtailing his career. Over the course of that career Kelly had to undergo more than 20 operations in bids to address injuries sustained on the field, and it is doubtful if, over his last half a dozen or so seasons, he ever took to the field much more than 50% fit. Despite this, he was worth his place in the team almost on reputation alone, and his retirement at the end of the 2002 season left the Swans with a substantial gap in their playing list which was going to prove difficult - indeed, well nigh impossible - to fill. |
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In
the opinion of many Haydn Bunton senior was, quite simply, the finest
Australian footballer ever. It is therefore extremely ironic that he
was born in Albury, New South Wales, a state where rugby has traditionally
been the king of winter sports.
Bunton's outstanding performances in Albury attracted the attention of all 12 VFL clubs but it was Fitzroy which ultimately secured his signature. However, he was then forced to sit on the sidelines throughout the 1930 season while claims that the Maroons had been guilty of offering him illegal financial inducements were investigated (and ultimately proved). Playing mainly as a rover, Bunton was a stunning success from the start, winning Brownlows in each of his first 2 League seasons, as well as being named Champion of the Colony in 1932. Averaging close to 30 kicks a game he was possessed of all the offensive skills in the book and his extraordinary fluidity and grace of movement made him a delight to watch. Bunton won a further Brownlow Medal in 1935 before moving to Subiaco 3 years later. Once again he was adjudged the fairest and best player in the competition in each of his first 2 seasons, and again in 1941. World War Two curtailed Bunton's career, preventing what might have been still greater success. |
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