It was one of the great sights in football in the 1980’s to see the long-striding Gary Pert streaming out of defence, taking a bounce and letting fly with a booming kick deep into attack.
Strong, fast and athletic, he was born to play on the last line of defence. The Prince of Fullbacks, he was among the best in the business in his prime when the game was overloaded with champion full forwards.
Originally from Bulleen and the son of ex-Fitzroy player Brian Pert, he was an AFL player at 16 and a Victorian representative at 18 when a Big V jumper was a much-sought-after commendation. Fitzroy’s fourth-youngest player all-time, he played 163 games for the Lions from 1982-90, winning All-Australian selection in 1985 and the club championship in 1989, and serving as vice-captain to his great mate Paul Roos in 1988 -89-90.
Sadly, a knee injury saw him miss the entire 1991 season and ultimately move to Collingwood, where he played a further 70 games from 1992-95.
But still he’s regarded as one of Fitzroy’s all-time greats. So good that when they picked the Fitzroy Team of the Century he was chosen alongside the incomparable Kevin Murray and Roos on the half back line.
Post-football, too, he has been a star, filling executive roles at Austereo, Channel 9 and Collingwood Football Club, where he’s one of the game’s most prominent leaders.
For all that, though, he’s never forgotten his roots or the life-time bond he shares with the star-studded playing group of his era. Gary Pert, a legendary Lion and a member of the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame.
At a glance:
- 163 games for Fitzroy between 1982-1990
- Fitzroy Best & Fairest 1989
- All Australian (1985-86, 1989)
- Fitzroy Team of the Century
- Lions Life Member
- Fitzroy Greatest Team (1944-93)
- Fitzroy Vice-Captain (1988-90)
- Victorian Representative (6 times)
- Past Players Assoc. Hall of Fame
