Fred Fitzgibbon
Carlton
AFL career
96 games9 goals
- Debut
- R3 1942 v ESS23 May 1942
- Most recent
- R14 1948 v GEE24 July 1948
Stats
Bio
Recruited from VFA club Brunswick when the Association suspended competition during the Second World War, Fred Fitzgibbon made his name at Carlton as a rugged, uncompromising wingman. His career is inextricably linked to the infamous "Bloodbath" Grand Final of 1945, a match he officially missed after receiving a four-week suspension for striking Collingwood’s Len Hustler in the Preliminary Final. Watching from the outer in his street clothes, Fitzgibbon infamously jumped the fence during the all-in brawl in the final quarter to exchange punches with South Melbourne players, resulting in his ejection by police and a further suspension. He eventually found redemption, maintaining a disciplined record throughout 1947 to play a key role in the Blues' dramatic one-point Premiership victory over Essendon.
Profile
- Born
- 22 Oct 1917
- Died
- 24 Jan 1999 (aged 81y 94d)
- Birthplace
- Benalla, VIC
- Height
- 169 cm
- Weight
- 64 kg
Teams
Honours
- Premiership1947
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from VFA club Brunswick when the Association suspended competition during the Second World War, Fred Fitzgibbon made his name at Carlton as a rugged, uncompromising wingman. His career is inextricably linked to the infamous "Bloodbath" Grand Final of 1945, a match he officially missed after receiving a four-week suspension for striking Collingwood’s Len Hustler in the Preliminary Final. Watching from the outer in his street clothes, Fitzgibbon infamously jumped the fence during the all-in brawl in the final quarter to exchange punches with South Melbourne players, resulting in his ejection by police and a further suspension. He eventually found redemption, maintaining a disciplined record throughout 1947 to play a key role in the Blues' dramatic one-point Premiership victory over Essendon.