After the Lions went north in 1996 some fans jumped ship, but others in Melbourne remain committed to keeping the memory alive
from their painful birth. But ask his 10-year-old son, Eamon – decked out in maroon, blue and yellow on a visit to the AFL Footy Festival on Wednesday – what he knows about the Fitzroy Lions, and his face goes blank.
In that paradigm, life is sweet for the Walkleys and the rest of Lions fandom. Chasing their first title since the end of their three-peat 20 years ago. Heroic midfielder Lachie Neale fresh off winning a second Brownlow. Preparing for a grand final on Saturday against Collingwood, with much of the nation behind them.
Across the road, leaving a Brisbane Lions merchandise pop-up at the old town hall on Wednesday afternoon, is painter Pol McMahon. But the man some call “truly a local treasure” of Fitzroy emerges empty-handed. “I was just pleased that there was a chance to get a Fitzroy jumper close to the day and that I’d price one,” he says. “But I don’t have enough money.”Photograph: Nadir Kinani/The Guardian
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