The Club – Collingwood Magpies vs Fitzroy Lions – Jack Thompson – David Williamson

High profile Magpies recruit Geoff Hayward and coach Laurie Holden have overcome indifferent form and boardroom treachery to guide their team to the VFL Grand Final. Only the Fitzroy Football Club stands between them and Premiership glory! A brief clip from the 1980 film adaptation of David Williamson’s play, The Club, starring Jack Thompson, Graham Kennedy, John Howard and Harold Hopkins, along with a host of cameo performances by Melbourne sporting identities such as Lou Richards, Doug Wade and Scot Palmer.

This clip features game footage of the Collingwood Magpies and the Fitzroy Lions filmed during the 1979 First Semi Final on Saturday, 15th September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

This game footage was intercut with additional scenes featuring actors John Howard and Harold Hopkins alongside players from Collingwood and Fitzroy. These scenes were filmed at Collingwood’s then home ground, Victoria Park and choreographed by coach Tom Hafey (seen briefly in this clip at 1:15).

For the record, Collingwood won the 1979 First Semi Final by 22 points –

Collingwood – 16.20.116
Fitzroy – 12.22.94

Graeme Anderson kicked 5 goals for Collingwood with Rene Kink kicking 3. Robert Walls kicked 3 goals for Fitzroy with Bob Beecroft and Mick Conlan both kicking 2.

Attendance – 87,139 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).