Fitzroy’s 31-point victory over Fremantle at Whitten Oval in Round 8 of 1996 ended a 21-match losing streak and signified an important moment in Club history.
It was Fitzroy’s last ever win before their merger with the Brisbane Bears.
In front of a crowd of just 5083, Fitzroy led at every break, with forward Anthony Mellington kicking a game-high six goals from 14 touches.
Chris Johnson, in just his third season in the AFL, collected 24 disposals and kicked three goals to break the game open and earn the umpires’ three votes.
The victory against Fremantle was only the seventh time in 59 matches that Johnson had enjoyed the spoils of success at Fitzroy – however he would go on to be a member of the Lions’ three premiership sides.
Fitzroy’s triumph - 16.11 (107) to 10.16 (76) - over Fremantle was its only win for the 1996 season.
The Roys would lose to North Melbourne by 109 points the following week and Richmond handed it a 151-point thumping in Round 21.
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