Patrick Fitzgerald back on top of the NFL Division 1 goalkicking mountain
Eight years after his first league goalkicking award, Montmorency legend Patrick Fitzgerald is back on top of the goalkicking mountain.
Northern
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Patrick Fitzgerald has so often been the bridesmaid when it comes to Northern Football League goalkicking.
However, the Montmorency legend is back on top in 2022 after kicking 67 goals to collect the league award.
It’s Fitzgerald’s second goalkicking trophy, eight years after his first in 2014.
In the past decade the Magpies’ spearhead has finished runner-up in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, third in 2013 and fourth in 2015.
An extraordinary record, competing against the likes of Gary Moorcroft, Shane Harvey, Ahmed Saad and Cameron Cloke.
A self-confessed veteran, Fitzgerald was proud of the achievement.
“It was a bit of a shock at my age to be winning the goalkicking,” he said.
“It was something I didn’t expect after COVID and a couple of years off so it’s a nice surprise to see I can still contribute.
“I’m still enjoying it and there’s a lot of young fellas at the club that are keeping me young.”
Fitzgerald finished 18 goals in front of Heidelberg’s Josh Minogue, kicking goals in all but one of his 17 appearances.
“Doita”, as he is affectionately known, kicked a season-high 10 goals against Hurstbridge in Round 11 and also had bags of seven against Whittlesea and six against Northcote Park.
Debuting in 2008, he kicked his 600th senior goal earlier this season, played his 250th game for Montmorency in Round 16 and is a lock to earn his eighth Team of the Year selection.
Fitzgerald tally sits at 662 senior goals, which is sure to have him well placed on the Diamond Valley/Northern Football League leaderboard.
He thanked his midfielders for looking after him with the likes of Jesse Donaldson, Jai Robinson, Sam Binion, Lin Jong, Daniel Keenan and Ryan Jackson providing silver service.
“It’s always good when you look up the field and see the boys streaming through and looking to hit you up,” he said.
“The recruits we’ve got in, getting Sammy Binion back full-time, has been amazing.
“My mate Jesse (Donaldson) always looks after me, we’ve played plenty of games together so we’ve got a strong connection.”
“From the time I got to Monty I fell in love with the place.
“You look at the history and how long it’s been since we’ve had success, it’s something I really crave and want to be a part of – breaking that drought.”
Fitzgerald has also been a key member of the Northern inter-league side that rose to the No.1 ranking in 2019 – booting five goals in the victory over Geelong to claim the mantle.
However, for all his individual success, the ultimate glory has eluded him and Montmorency.
Ending the Magpies’ premiership drought, which dates back to 1979, is top of the priority list.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good spot by finishing third and securing the double chance and you never know what can happen,” Fitzgerald said.
“Preston is a funny ground, I haven’t had the greatest of experiences at Preston, but we’ll leave nothing behind if given the chance in September.”
Montmorency will look to end that drought when it kicks off the 2022 finals campaign with a qualifying final against Bundoora.
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With 700 goals and 250 senior Northern league games within reach next season, Fitzgerald hopes to carry on into a 15th season in 2023.
“We’ll see how we go, we’ll get through this year,” he said.
“At this stage I’m enjoying it and loving being down at the club with the boys but we’ll wait and see.”
“I love the club and everything the club has done for me and we’re hanging out for a bit of success and hopefully this year we can do it.”
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