Former Fitzroy player Renato Serafini made his senior VFL debut in what remains one of the most talked about matches in history. As we recognise 50 years since the 'fog game' Serafini has kindly penned the following recollections from his memorable debut.
It was the second last round of the 1971 season, Fitzroy were at home at the Junction oval and the match was a ‘must win’ for the Blues’ chances to make the finals. Carlton were the reigning premiers, coached by the famous Ron Barassi.
The weather was normal for the first half, with Fitzroy playing well lead by 35 points at half time.
During the break a fine mist started drifting across the ground, but officials were not overly concerned and the match continued as normal.
Towards the middle of the third-quarter matters changed and the mist turned into one of the densest fogs seen in Melbourne for many years. Players, officials and spectators became concerned because they had trouble seeing the play.
Things became so bad that players had no idea what was happening more than a kick away and voices and the sound of foot on leather became important.
Percy Jones was heard to say: ”There it is” and pointed to the ball as crafty winger Dusty Rhodes swooped on the ball and kicked a clever goal.
Things got so bad that central umpire, Bill Deller, would have to run from one end of the ground to the other to inform the goal umpire of the score and how many flags to wave.
Time-keepers were unable to receive time-on signals from umpire Bill Deller. It became so bad that umpires and officials eventually had to agreed on the estimated amount of time-on to add (a little like what they do in soccer).
Fitzroy led by 6 points at three-quarter time. I can remember the three-quarter-time huddle as all the talk was about whether the match would go ahead or be abandoned.
Graham Donaldson (Fitzroy’s coach) had been Barassi’s assistant coach the year before at Carlton’s famous 1970 come-from-behind win over Collingwood and so, was able to persuade Barassi for the match to continue.
Fitzroy handled the conditions better than Carlton, and with a few early goals in the final quarter were able to win by nearly 4 goals.
Fitzroy fans were ecstatic as wins against reigning premiers were rare and the fact that the win had prevented Carlton making the finals was sweet.
Carlton and it’s fans were stunned and for a few minutes refused to believe that they had lost. Whilst Carlton considered lodging a protest the Fitzroy players were celebrating in the change rooms like they had won the premiership.
Led by Donaldson, President Ern Joseph and captain Kevin Murray the Fitzroy song was sung with gusto many times. Interestingly just after the final siren the fog lifted and the ground was bathed in sunlight!
Fitzroy, the next week beat Essendon at Windy Hill and finished the season with 12 wins and sixth position, the best position in years. Carlton missed the finals by just two points and finished in fifth place just two points behind fourth-placed Collingwood.
Fitzroy vs Carlton @ Junction Oval
21 August 1971
TEAMS
Fitzroy
B: Shane Molloy, Harvey Merrigan, David Wall
HB: Bill Sykes, Doug Searl, Noel Zunneberg
C: David Rhodes, Leigh Robertson, Ray Sault
HF: Renato Serafini, Alex Ruscuklic, Warwick Irwin
F: Russell Crowe, Paul Shanahan, Barry Padley
FOLL: Norm Brown, Kevin Murray, John Murphy
Res: Laurie Richards, Alan Thomson
Carlton
B: Barry Gill, Geoff Southby, Vin Waite
HB: Peter Fyffe, David McKay, Bruce Doull
C: John Warden, Billy Barrot, Brent Crosswell
HF: Syd Jackson, Ian Robertson, Kevin Hall
F: Peter Jones, Alex Jesaulenko, Barry Armstrong
FOLL: John Nicholls, Sergio Silvagni, Adrian Gallager
DETAILS
FITZROY 2.4 9.10 11.2 15.15 (105)
CARLTON 3.7 5.9 10.13 11.16 (82)
Goals:
Fitzroy - Murphy 4, Shanahan 3, Ruscuklic 2, Murray 2, Brown 2, Crow, Rhodes
Carlton - Crosswell 4, Gallagher 2, Jones 2, Jesaulenko, Jackson, Armstrong
Best:
Fitzroy - Ruscuklic, Murray, Irwin, Sault
Carlton - Gallagher, Gill, Armstrong, Crosswell
