Round 12 – Match Report

Fitzroy 11.12.78  def  Camberwell 4.7.31

Goals: McGee 5, Zander 3, Dom, Toby, Reis

Best: McGee, Dom, Sean, Kruger, Dylan, Jordan

Fitzroy confirmed their status as one of the competition's top sides last weekend after disposing of Camberwell by 47 points in a top-of-the-table clash at Lynden Park. Stretching their record against the Sharks to 5-0 since 2005, Fitzroy dominated for most of the afternoon with McGee, Pound-Palmieri, Patcas, Dillane and Kruger all in season-best form.

Boasting all the hallmarks of a classic, both sides were at their best early, with the ladder-leaders and Camberwell desperate to avenge shock losses the week before. And with top spot up for grabs it was the Sharks that started the better of the two sides, gaining plenty of possession but failing to register on the scoreboard.

Two quick clearances later and Fitzroy already had two majors on the board, the second coming courtesy of some boundary line magic from James McGee who threaded one through from the tightest of angles deep in the left pocket. A third from Toby Anderson increased the lead to three goals at the first change with Fitzroy in the box seat and kicking with the wind in the second.

Michael Kruger & Dom Pound-Palmieri continued their midfield dominance in the second quarter, the boys working well in tandem to clear the ball with ease. Jordan Batten's pace added a further dimension to the side's engine-room and after another 'red hot' quarter Fitzroy jogged into the rooms at the long break with a handy seven goal buffer.

The third term belonged to Sean Dillane and Dylan Patcas as the unlikely heroes continued to shut down Camberwell's forward line. In just his twelfth match of football Sean continues to impress, while Dylan's attack on the ball is amongst the best in the entire Fitzroy side.

After a brilliant chase-down in the first and some handy defending in the second, Dylan was on show in the third playing his best footy since the side's round seven fixture out at Ashburton. Best-on-ground against Warrandyte and again amongst the best today, Dylan has arguably developed into the club's best utility forward and defender over the past couple of months.

Enjoying a healthy lead at the last change it was once again all-Fitzroy in the last, with James Bate the pick of the side in the dying stages as the Roys ran out 47 point winners.

With tough reverse fixtures against Canterbury & East Malvern in the coming weeks, Fitzroy will need to be at their best to ensure they maintain their impressive win-loss record as the season's end nears.

However on today's form it will take a lot to beat the boys from Brunswick Street, whose courage, commitment and teamwork were all second to none.

 Cam Nation