Fort brothers Darcy and Fraser eye two premierships in two days
Fraser and Darcy Fort will face off in grand finals in consecutive days. And it is fitting considering their strong connection throughout their football journeys.
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It is funny how the world works.
On Saturday, South Barwon product Darcy Fort will be trying to stop Swans ruck star Brodie Grundy as Oscar McInerney’s inclusion for the Brisbane Lions in the AFL grand final.
On Friday 75 kilometres away, it will be the Leopold Lions trying to stop Darcy’s younger brother, Swans big man Fraser Fort, at GHMBA Stadium in the Geelong Football Netball League decider.
It is a big weekend for the Fort family who will have the pleasure of seeing the brothers in action in two grand finals in two days.
But it is fitting given their strong connection throughout their football journey.
Darcy and Fraser played together at the Geelong Falcons, South Barwon and also spent four years alongside each other in the SANFL for Central Districts.
And they were always there for each other – physically and mentally.
“They are fond memories and probably thrived off each other’s competitiveness playing together, that is one thing that sticks out from those times. It is definitely fun and knowing you always had someone that had your back if you wanted to get stuck into someone,” Fraser said.
Darcy was then plucked from the Bulldogs by Geelong as a 25-year-old in the 2018 AFL Draft.
After nine games in three seasons with the Cats, the back-up ruckman was traded to Brisbane at the end of 2021.
The AFL grand final will be his just third game this year, and Fraser – a Lions supporter since he was younger – will be up in the stands watching.
“Over 10 years he has grinded away and dedicated and stuck at it, he is pretty proud of how he carries himself and how he has got the best out of himself,” Fraser said.
“Personally it is good for him but obviously it is in not ideal circumstances.
“Happy for him, but we’re Lions supporters but we’re disappointed in (McInerney) getting injured. But they managed to win and Darce has got an opportunity, so hope he plays well.”
But before then Fraser has a job to do for South Barwon against the Lions at Kardinia Park, a ground he is no stranger to, having spent two seasons with the Cats’ VFL program a decade ago.
Fraser has booted 60 goals in 19 games this year with two bags of 10 and will be pivotal for the Swans’ premiership hopes.
The 2023 joint-Mathieson medallist turned it on in South Barwon’s semi-final win over St Mary’s with five goals in a quarter and seven for the match, but was well held in windy conditions against St Joseph’s.
But he is on
“It was a tough day, I think all key forwards struggled out there in the conditions. The way the footy was coming in, it wasn’t a spectacular brand of footy by any means,” his captain Matt Caldow said.
“He’d be up for the challenge, he is a great player and I’m sure he’ll stand up for us.”
The South Barwon community will be right behind the Forts as they hunt for two premierships in as many days.
Originally published as Fort brothers Darcy and Fraser eye two premierships in two days
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