Fitzroy experienced a great deal of change throughout the period between 1967 and 1976.
In 1970, the club began playing their home games at the Junction Oval in St. Kilda.
On 5 April, Fitzroy played
In 1974, Fitzroy also underwent a major uniform change in preparation for colour TV.
The white FFC monogram was changed to gold, with the maroon and blue becoming much brighter. Light maroon, blue and gold hooped socks were worn and yellow shorts were used for away games.
The era spawned a collection of great players including five-time best and fairest John Murphy and full back Harvey Merrigan who became the first player in 120 matches to hold Collingwood’s Peter McKenna goalless on Anzac Day in 1974.
The Brisbane Lions Football Club in conjunction with the Fitzroy-Brisbane Lions Historical Society and the Fitzroy-Brisbane Past Players and Officials Association will host one of the largest reunions of VFL/AFL players ever at the Melbourne Convention Centre on
The Kings of the Pride reunion function will acknowledge all current and past players of this great club.
Every person who has played a senior match with Fitzroy, the Brisbane Bears or the Brisbane Lions has been invited to attend this historic dinner.
Now members and supporters are invited to take a trip down memory lane with some of their all-time favourite players and catch up with some of the current Lions stars.
The event will identify the ten best players from each of the club's main eras as voted by the players themselves. These ten players will be decided from the following categories:
1897 - 1926 (Fitzroy) *two players
1927 - 1956 (Fitzroy) *two players
1957 - 1966 (Fitzroy)
1967 - 1976 (Fitzroy)
1977 - 1986 (Fitzroy)
1987 - 1996 (Fitzroy)
1987 - 1996 (Brisbane Bears)
1997 - 2006 (Brisbane Lions)
Each week the Brisbane Lions are offering club members and supporters an opportunity to win a copy of Jim Main's soon-to-be released Fitzroy book.
To enter this week's draw, simply nominate which Fitzroy player you believe should be the King of the Pride for the period between 1967 and 1976 by emailing their names and your contact details to melbourne@lions.com.au. One entrant will be selected each week as the lucky Fitzroy book winner and they will go into the draw to win a free double pass to the Kings of the Pride reunion event which includes fine foods, beverages and a great night's entertainment.
Last week’s winner was Jeremy Jenkin who nominated his best Fitzroy player of the 1957 – 1966 period.
We have listed some of Fitzroy’s most notable players from the 1967 – 1976 era to assist your decision-making:
John Murphy (c) (bf) – 214 games, 326 goals (1967 – 77)
Harvey Merrigan (c) (bf) – 197 games, 19 goals (1969 – 81)
Norm Brown (bf) – 181 games, 77 goals (1962 – 73)
Doug Searle (g) – 131 games, 170 goals (1968 – 76)
Warwick Irwin (bf) – 213 games, 228 goals (1970 – 1980, 1983)
John Newnham – 116 games, 89 goals (1964 – 71)
Barry Padley – 159 games, 95 goals (1968 – 78)
Alex Ruscuklic (g) – 108 games, 189 goals (1966 – 74)
(c) = club captain
(bf) = club best and fairest
(g) = leading goalkicker
Tickets for the Kings of the Pride reunion are on sale now:
Supporters ticket: $170pp
Supporters table of 10 people: $1,700
Gold ticket - seated at a front table with two current players: $230pp
Gold table of 8 people - plus two current players: $1,840
Please click on the links or contact the Victorian office on (03) 8850 5600 to book or for more information. Good luck and Go Lions!!!
