Kimba farmer Joel ‘Burger’ Fitzgerald kicks 22 goals to reach the magical 1000-major milestone

Kimba farmer Joel ‘Burger’ Fitzgerald had a game to remember in Cowell this weekend, booting his 1000th goal on his way to a career-high haul of 22 majors before injury struck.

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Joel Fitzgerald probably deserved Monday off work for kicking 22 goals — and the 1000th of his Kimba Districts career on Saturday — but a shoulder injury in the final two minutes made sure of it.

The 33-year-old who farms on his in-laws’ sheep and cropping property on the Eyre Peninsula was on his way to Adelaide on Sunday night for scans on the sore shoulder which was the only dampener on an otherwise perfect Saturday afternoon.

Fitzgerald went into the game against Cowell in the Eastern Eyre league needing six goals to reach 1000 in his nine-year Kimba career. He brought up the magical milestone with a set shot in the second quarter in the Tigers’ 36-goal win.

Joel Fitzgerald Kimba takes a grab against Cowell to line up for his 1000th career goal. Picture: Felicity Chinnery

Fitzgerald lines up for his 1000th goal. Picture: Felicity Chinnery

“A few people around the club had done a bit of research at the start of the year and knew I needed 50-odd this season for 1000,” he said.

“It was a bit of a build up to be honest.

“I got four in the first quarter then got the 1000th early in the second quarter.

“All my teammates came up and patted me on the back and there were a few kids out there who got amongst it. It was a bit surreal really.

“The Cowell players also came up and shook hands which was a really nice gesture as well, and my wife (Nicole) and three girls were there on the boundary when I walked off after the game.”

But he didn’t stop at 1000 with Fitzgerald taking his career-tally to 1016 thanks to a 22-goal haul. His previous best in a game was 21 goals while playing with Imperials at Murray Bridge.

Kimba trainer Kirsty Gregory congratulates Fitzgerald on his feat. Picture: Felicity Chinnery

Fitzgerald gets a hug from his family — eldest daughter Millie, wife Nicole and Sophie and Oakley. Picture: Felicity Chinnery

“It helps when you kick straight. I thought it was 22.1 but someone told me it was 22.2 or 22.3 … I don’t count the points,” he said with a laugh.

He now has 67 goals for the season.

His two eldest daughters, aged 6 and 3, went into the Kimba rooms to sing the club song post-match after Fitzgerald finished the day on the bench.

“Funnily enough I injured my shoulder with two minutes to go,” he said.

“We’re packing up to go to Adelaide now and have scans at Sportsmed on Monday.

“It’s not feeling too great but I’m hoping it’s just bruising.

“I’m pretty doubtful I’ll be playing next week.”

Fitzgerald grew up in Cummins and moved to Adelaide when he was 21 where he went on to play 13 SANFL league games with Sturt and Port Adelaide.

He is better known around the footy club as “Burger” after an opposition supporter once yelled out ‘how many burgers have you eaten?’ while he was lining up for goal.

“And of course the boys got hold of it at training that week and it stuck,” Fitzgerald said.

Earlier this year Tumby Bay legend Chris Prime kicked his 2000th goal in country footy.

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