Laurie Serafini

Recruited from the famous football nursery of Assumption College, Laurie Serafini arrived at the Junction Oval in 1977 as the younger brother of teammate Renato Serafini. While he made an immediate impact as a forward—booting four goals on debut—he soon found his true calling in the backline. Unlike the traditional stay-at-home full-backs of the era, Serafini was a dashing, attacking defender who used his pace and booming kick to turn defence into offence. This modern style of play made him a critical weapon for the Roys during their resurgence in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Serafini established himself as one of the premier defenders in the competition, earning selection for Victoria three times and finishing as Fitzroy's top Brownlow Medal poller in 1983. A natural leader, he served as the club's vice-captain and was a revered figure among the playing group. However, his career was cruelly curtailed by persistent back and knee injuries, forcing him into premature retirement at just 26 years of age. Despite his short playing career, his legacy at the club endured, as he later played a pivotal administrative role on the Brisbane Lions board, helping to bridge the gap between the Fitzroy heritage and the merged entity.