JOSH Richards has described Dane Fitzgerald as a man of few words on the eve of the inspirational Roo’s 100th game for his local club, Balranald.
Richards said Fitzgerald was a major selling point in recruiting drives for the Roos.
“For me, coaching and trying to recruit players… it was a major selling point,” Richards said.
“This year when I sat down with blokes like Bryce Delmenico, the Giansiracusas from Melbourne, all I had to do was say Dane was on board and their eyes light up and they just ask where to sign. Everyone wants to play with him.”
Richards said even local young gun Cam Barrett had made a special effort to ensure he’d get the chance to play with Fitzgerald.
“Cam has been that excited to have the chance to come home… he said he might not have had the chance to play with Dane if it wasn’t this year,” Richards said.
Fitzgerald’s star shone brightly from an early age when he played in Balranald’s thirds premiership in 2000.
Some talent played that day, with runners-up Swan Hill fielding a team that included current champions Hugh Foott and Callan Beasy.
Fitzgerald had played most of the year in the Roos’ senior side, returning to the under 17s line up for the preliminary and grand final games.
For more on this story see Friday’s edition of The Guardian (July 18, 2014).
