“That was a pivotal moment in our season and our journey,” Berry said. “It was pretty special. Oscar spoke about not worrying about stats, goals, marks, kicks and everything like that, [instead] give yourself to the team,” Berry said.
“He felt like he had gone into that trap and that is just impossible because he is one of the most selfless guys on our list. It was so powerful coming from him. I feel like all the boys just bought into that.”
Darcy Fort celebrates with the premiership cup.Credit: AFL Photos
McInerney was self-effacing when asked about his speech on Sunday. He first wondered “how did that get out?” before saying it was the product of the environment co-captains Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale had created – where any player on the list could express their view.
In the meeting room where the speech was delivered was a picture of club stalwart Nicole Duncan, placed there after she died in January following a short battle with leukemia. Duncan, who had been with the club for 30 years, was on the boundary line during the 2023 grand final as well as a key figure in the club’s three-peat premiership era.
Loading
Fagan said she was missed and would have loved to be part of the celebrations after the flag, with Brunswick Street Oval filled with the Fitzroy colours on Sunday morning.
“I wish she could be here now,” he said.
“She would love this and the family as well. [Nicole was] an incredibly hard worker for our footy club for the long period of time, someone I really relied on, she was big shoes to fill and a big loss to our club.
“I hope she is looking down on these scenes right at the moment.”
McInerney had focused on the opportunity his injury gave Darcy Fort, called in to take the ruck spot, to be part of the premiership side as his team-first attitude had helped the veteran through the season.
Loading
“That’s the thing that gets lost, like what a team man he is,” McInerney said.
“[It’s] heartbreak for him not playing in the Giants game, but he was the first one in the rooms pumping us up, I was so glad given what a selfless teammate he has been this year.”
“It’s every kid’s dream to be part of a premiership and if you had told me eight years ago I would be at a footy club that was winning the AFL premiership I wouldn’t have believed it.”