How good was....Brian Royal?

[Grantysghost]

I anyone wants to relive that 1985 semifinal take a look down memory lane.

Ah remember it well. Wasn’t it our first finals win in eons? I was there in the cheer squad as a 9 year old!

Edit: First finals win since 1961 when we made the GF to the Hawks who won their first ever flag (now have 13 in 62 years or one every 4.76 years)

Played in two elimination finals at Waverley in between and lost both. (74 v Pies and 76 v Cats).

[GVGjr]

There are a lot of supporters who loved Choco and he was a big reason why people were attracted to the club.
Injury free he was a sensational midfielder and a dangerous small forward. If anyone can get their hands on the best of 85, Bulldog Revolution once gave me a copy, you will see just how damaging and player he was.
He was one of the guests at the East meets West function last year and he is an impressive guy.

[bornadog]

There are a lot of supporters who loved Choco and he was a big reason why people were attracted to the club.
Injury free he was a sensational midfielder and a dangerous small forward. If anyone can get their hands on the best of 85, Bulldog Revolution once gave me a copy, you will see just how damaging and player he was.
He was one of the guests at the East meets West function last year and he is an impressive guy.

Shame he just missed out several times for a senior coaching role. I think he would have been successful.

[Bulldog4life]

Choco won the Club's Best and Fairest in his first year at the club 1983. That speaks for itself. I was there that night and Brian really enjoyed himself.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

Always good for five goals a game with a shake of the mullet

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Choco won the Club's Best and Fairest in his first year at the club 1983. That speaks for itself. I was there that night and Brian really enjoyed himself.

He was unlucky not to win the league best first year player that year but it went to Phil Walsh.

Choco was brilliant and rarely got beaten. So well balanced, gutsy, ball player and a finisher.

And best of all he grew up barracking for Footscray!

[HOSE B ROMERO]

My favorite payer of all time. I have the honour of interviewing him tomorrow on our podcast! Any questions WOOFers want answered? Any memories you'd like me to share with him or pass on?
Also, does anyone have any pics from their personal collection to share of Choco?
Thanks, matty

Damn i wish i'd have seen this earlier.

I have a 1986 Scanlen's footy card where Choco is wearing a lace up jumper! What did he think of it?

Did he ever get approached by any other club? He was such a champion.

Why did he move from Williamstown?

And

[Mofra]

He was unlucky not to win the league best first year player that year but it went to Phil Walsh.

Choco was brilliant and rarely got beaten. So well balanced, gutsy, ball player and a finisher.

And best of all he grew up barracking for Footscray!

Helps being a Bairnsdale boy in the zoning days.
Sadly, my most vivid memory of Choco is at Whitten Oval stranded on 199 games and 299 goals getting a standing ovation from the crowd before a game, on crutches.

[WBFC4FFC]

Helps being a Bairnsdale boy in the zoning days.
Sadly, my most vivid memory of Choco is at Whitten Oval stranded on 199 games and 299 goals getting a standing ovation from the crowd before a game, on crutches.

Yep - last home game in 93 after knowing we couldn't make the finals. Got injured in the wet game against the Bumbres at the G, where Kickett kicked 8 of their 11 goals to sneak over the line.

Where's the luck all-round?!?!

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Yep - last home game in 93 after knowing we couldn't make the finals. Got injured in the wet game against the Bumbres at the G, where Kickett kicked 8 of their 11 goals to sneak over the line.

Where's the luck all-round?!?!

Kickett was unstoppable that day.

[Prince Imperial]

Kickett was unstoppable that day.

Yep and he went on to kick just one goal in his next four games and was dropped for the GF.