Australian Football

Undoubtedly one of the greatest names in the history of the Fitzroy Football Club Fred Hughson was also possibly the last player from the club to achieve virtually everything possible in the game. His 1938 to 1947 VFL career saw him play 164 games and kick 95 goals with the undoubted highlight coming in 1944 when he captain-coached the 'Roys to the last senior grade flag ever. Opposed by Richmond, the expectation was that Fitzroy would not be able to cope with the Tigers' ruthless aggressiveness but they rose to the occasion magnificently, ultimately triumphing by 15 points. Much of the credit for the victory must go to Hughson who not only masterminded it he also produced a captain's display on the field. Playing at full back opposed to Jack Dyer, who in the previous week's preliminary final against Essendon had booted 9 majors, Hughson kept his illustrious opponent to just one goal in a performance which was a major factor in the Maroons' eventual win.

For most of his career Fred Hughson played at full back, and there were few better. However, when he arrived at Fitzroy from Preston in the VFA he was a seasoned full forward and it was as a full forward that he played in his first VFL season, kicking 62 goals to top the ‘Roys’ list. Two years later he was shifted to full back by coach Dan Minogue and he adapted to the new position superbly, with his majestic drop kicking a particular asset and a trademark feature of his game.

When Fitzroy’s official ‘Team of the Century’ was announced in 2002 few people would have been surprised to see Fred Hughson occupying the full back position.

Author - John Devaney