Ryan Fitzgerald never got to play in an AFL Grand Final but he got to experience the next best thing – celebrating one in the middle of the MCG.

In 1998 he and a group of Crows-supporting mates got there early on the big day and stumbled across a pair of red overalls which were being handed out to volunteers.

“We grabbed a pair each and helped the volunteers set up on the ground before the game as a bit of a laugh,” Fitzgerald told AFC Media.

“Muhammad Ali was there that year and we were right next to him.

“Then after the game we realised all the people in red overalls were going back onto the ground so we ran down and the security guard said ‘hurry up, get out there’ and we were celebrating with Blighty and Bicks.

“I got drafted to Sydney a month or two later but there I was out there celebrating with the Crows.”

Fitzgerald grew up in Adelaide’s southern suburbs and started following Glenelg where his dad played.

“I was a big Bays fan growing up, I was there for the 85-86 premierships with dad and my love for Stephen Kernahan and Chris McDermott, they were my two favourite players," he said.

“So when Sticks went to Carlton they became my VFL team for a while, but we are a pretty proud South Australian family and loved going to State of Origin games, so since the inception of the Crows in 1991 we jumped on board.

“Around that time was when I was in my teenage years, and with my Port Noarlunga Cocklediver mates we used to scam a couple of members tickets from friends who couldn’t go and we’d go to the games on a Sunday arvo as a group.”

When the Crows made their first AFL Grand Final in 1997, Fitzgerald made the road trip to Melbourne to see them play the Saints.

“We drove over to Melbourne for the Grand Final in the back of a ute and it looks highly illegal now, but we put a mattress down in the back with a covering over the back of the tray and three of us slept in the back of the ute for about 10 hours," Fitzgerald said.

“But we couldn’t get tickets so we watched it on a big screen at Punt Road.

“Then in 1998 we went over with a full convoy and one of our mates drove over mid-week to get us tickets for the Grand Final against North Melbourne.”

Fitzgerald was drafted by Sydney with Pick 4 in 1998 and kicked five goals on debut against St Kilda in 2000. His time at the Swans was interrupted by a knee reconstruction and he was eventually traded to the Crows where he played eight games in 2002.

“I had three years in Sydney and made some really good friends, but I got to come back to a club I loved and be around family and friends so it was a great time,” he said.

“I just wished my body held up a bit more and I could have had a longer career.”

Now better known as ‘Fitzy’, the TV and radio personality remains a passionate Crows supporter and is a club ambassador.

“I watch every game, even if it’s at the pub with mates, I always try to watch them. My eldest loves it but if they’re not winning he’s not into it as much and we’re trying to get Lenny into it as well,” he said.

“I love watching it at home as a family and I think I’m getting angrier as I mature more, but I really look forward to the weekend and watching the Crows play.”

His Instagram posts of fictitious Crows assistant coaches known as ‘Clem’, ‘Zip Zap’ and ‘The Praying Mantis’ have gone viral this year much to the amusement of the playing group.

“It’s been a bit full on because I’m getting all these requests in from the players, apparently Lachie Sholl is a big fan of Clem the boxing coach so I sent him one, and big Riley Thilthorpe I said congratulations on his five goals on debut and signed it from the Praying Mantis which is the ruck coach,” Fitzgerald said.

“You know what? They’re a great bunch of kids. We were lucky enough to be over there (Marvel Stadium) for the North Melbourne game and Nicksy invited us into the rooms and they all came over and spoke to the boys, and Brodie Smith took them into the team song at the end.

“I think Matty Nicks has made a concerted effort to really get past players and families involved, I’ve never been invited more to the club than I have been this year and to come into the rooms and see the reaction we get from the players has been brilliant, I’ve really enjoyed watching them.”

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