Opinion
This was an incredibly well researched book written by historian William Westerman, which faithfully documents the tragic circumstances of the final year of the Fitzroy Football Club in the VFL/AFL in 1996, after 100 seasons.
The title and front cover alone are enough to stir emotion, while the image on the back cover, showing the slumped shoulders of three desolate Fitzroy supporters walking into the distance – a grandfather, with his son and grandson by his side – is an image that remains etched in my memory.
Westerman details how Fitzroy was, and is, more than a football club – it’s a family, a community and Fitzroy represents connection and belonging. In reading Merger, these descriptions are brought to life and further reinforced. The book so powerfully and evocatively portrays how the exit of Fitzroy from the AFL didn’t just see the end of football club playing in the highest competition in the land, but the tearing apart of a community.
The book has many stories within a story – whether it is the journey of coach Michael Nunan and the thankless task he faced that he just couldn’t complete or the faithful Allan McConnell who stepped in to coach to the bitter end. The book also reveals the pain of the supporters who were grief stricken and torn in different directions and in some instances, supporters even turned on the players who were likely to ultimately head to Brisbane.
Then there is the exhaustion of the Fitzroy administrators who could see now way out of the dire straits Fitzroy were in and ultimately had their control of the club wrested off them as a result of the ruthless agenda of the administrators of the AFL (another story in itself).
Pivotal to the book of course is the story of the heartbreak for the players who faced uncertainty at many times through the year about whether the team would even see the season out; and whether each next game be the club’s final one; and the understandable dilemma regarding whether to play for the team or play for themselves to maximise a chance that another club would pick them up for the following year.
It is a gut wrenching read as Westerman masterfully brought the reality and emotion of the dramas that unfolded across 1996 to life. As I read the book, the words on the page were so powerful that it took me back to 1996 in such a profound way, as if I was there, living and breathing what was going on at the time.
This book is important on so many levels. The book speaks to those who went through the pain of the 1996 season and the seasons leading up as well as for footy fans of all clubs at the time.
It provides a very poignant reminder to many clubs and supporters regarding how close their own club may have gone to merging or extinction in the 80s and 90s (Footscray, Richmond, Hawthorn, Melbourne) and that to still see your club run out now is indeed a privilege not to be taken for granted.
The book also serves to ensure a thorough and detailed account exists for a new generation of supporters and for future generations. We ignore history at our peril. The book serves as a reminder that never again should a community of people be treated the way the Fitzroy Football Club was treated.
Ultimately too, the book provides a story of hope, resilience and community spirit – how a community of supporters could ultimately not be defeated – but have found a way to survive and thrive, against many odds
Merger is possibly the best book I have ever read and I have already recommended it to more than 20 people. The book has proven powerful in pointing people towards Fitzroy playing in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) (the Men are currently in the Premier B Division and the Women in the Premier Division).
I know two people who having read the book are now paid-up members of Fitzroy FC in the VAFA. In addition, reading the book instilled in me a strong desire to get down to the Brunswick St Oval on my next interstate trip to see Fitzroy in action – and I was definitely not disappointed – you can read about my experience here.
The legacy of this book will help keep the ongoing story of the Fitzroy Football club well and truly alive…a must read for any Aussie Rules fan.
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