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Footy larrikin Ryan Fitzgerald fumes as Lions star does him over

Radio host Ryan Fitzgerald is not happy after the AFL witnessed a moment that will scrub the footy larrikin from the record books.

Tyson OttoTyson Otto
@tottodtsport
2 min read
May 2, 2022 - 9:14AM
Brisbane's Darcy Fort makes AFL history by breaking goalkicking record

Ryan Fitzgerald is not happy after he witnessed Lions star Darcy Fort snap the only record the footy larrikin will ever have.

The popular Nova star, who is best known in football for his hilarious anecdotes at infuriating his coaches at the Sydney Swans and Adelaide Crows, only realised on Sunday that he held the record for the most goals kicked in an AFL career before kicking a behind and breaking a streak of perfect accuracy.

Now he wishes he had the record back.

Fort on Sunday night kicked the 12th goal of his career during Brisbane’s win over the Swans at the SCG — and took his career goalkicking haul to 12-0.

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Fitzgerald previously held the record of 11 goals alongside Essendon’s Zach Merrett and Will Snelling.

When he learned the news after Fort’s record-breaking goal, the 45-year-old was not happy.

Fitzgerald continued to let his frustrations out on his Monday morning breakfast radio show.

“I was made aware yesterday by a lot of people on Twitter and I totally understand now that there was a record broken in the AFL by a player called Darcy Fort from the Brisbane Lions,” he said.

Nova radio host Ryan Fitzy Fitzgerald.
Nova radio host Ryan Fitzy Fitzgerald.
Ryan Fitzgerald with the Swans in 2001. Credit: Allsport Australia/ALLSPORT
Ryan Fitzgerald with the Swans in 2001. Credit: Allsport Australia/ALLSPORT
Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli. Photo by El Pics/Getty Images.
Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli. Photo by El Pics/Getty Images.

“Now I had no idea about this record and that I was holding it with three other players. If I did know about it, you would have heard about it every second day.

“I was level with Zach Merrett and Will Snelling for such a long time and then this Darcy Fort bloke from the Brisbane Lions, he was having a shot yesterday and he was on 11 as well and he was having a shot and it was a really hard shot and they thought he’s not going to get it and he bloody nailed it and he’s taken over my record.”

Fitzgerald finished his career with 18 goals from 23 games.

Fort etched himself into AFL folklore when he kicked the goal in the second quarter.

That feeling when you’ve just broken an AFL record. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
That feeling when you’ve just broken an AFL record. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The 28-year-old ruckman, has re-energised his career since moving from Geelong to Brisbane at the end of last year and is enjoying more game time in his first season with the Lions.

He slotted a set shot from a slight angle to stretch his impressive streak to 12 goals without a behind to start his career.

Commentator Brenton Speed said on Fox Footy: “Will it ever be challenged? Will it ever be broken? Darcy Fort can extend that of course.

“Until he misses, he’ll add to that record that will be so hard to chase down.”

However, the milestone is tainted somewhat by the fact he has kicked a shot on goal out on the full earlier in the season.

Brisbane dominated the first half and took a 33-point lead into the main break.

The Swans fought back thanks to a four-goal masterclass from Buddy Franklin in the third quarter, but it wasn’t enough.

The Lions kept the Swans at an arms length and secured a 113 (17.11) to 89 (13.11) victory — their first at the SCG in 13 years.

Originally published as Footy larrikin Ryan Fitzgerald fumes as Lions star does him over

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/footy-larrikin-ryan-fitzgerald-fumes-as-lions-star-does-him-over/news-story/82ed2bc5168c76939671bc7d5138fdc1