Arguably the biggest AFL news of 1996 – even more so than the eventual premiership North Melbourne won – was the merger between Fitzroy and Brisbane.

However, right up until the last moments, it was the Kangaroos who had the inside running to unite with the Lions for the 1997 season and beyond. Throughout the week, NMFC.com.au will bring you the story of the issue, bringing the news of the time back to life.

Part 1: The Beginning

The financial state of the Fitzroy Lions had steadily worsened in the decade leading up to 1996.

A planned relocation to Brisbane in 1986 was so close to happening the playing list had voted in favour of the shift, almost unanimously. Several close-calls later – Melbourne and Footscray, to name just a couple – the Lions were struggling in what would ultimately turn out to be their last season as a Victorian entity.

Rumblings about a potential merger in 1996 started to grow in April. The AFL confirmed that Fitzroy had failed to prove its solvency, meaning the Lions couldn’t show how they would meet their long-term financial responsibilities.

Despite speculation North Melbourne had entered merger discussions with Fitzroy, Roos chairman Ron Casey flatly denied any such occurrences.

So the story took a back seat for the next few weeks in the media. But all the while, there was plenty bubbling along behind the scenes, and it would all become very public in mid-May.

The Age revealed that Fitzroy and North had indeed been in discussions all along, with talks seemingly a long way down the road. As Rohan Connolly said:

“Sources have told The Sunday Age that Fitzroy and North have been involved in detailed negotiations about a merger for several months, and that a guernsey design for the proposed new club is under discussion.

“The Sunday Age has been told that the new club’s board would comprise four directors from North Melbourne and four from Fitzroy, with the chairman from North.

“Speculation that the North Melbourne Lions venture could be announced as early as tomorrow…” – The Age, May 12

Click to enlarge each page of the report

After a couple of days of speculation, North CEO Greg Miller admitted there were talks underway but denied their advanced status, saying they were ‘only 10 per cent’ completed.

“It may not occur, there is quite a good chance that it may not occur. We have to look at every facet to see whether it is a worthwhile option for the North Melbourne Football Club.”

There were already details leaking out about how the new club could potentially look in 1997 and beyond.

“The AFL’s first merger is believed to be a done deal, with Fitzroy preferring North to other suitors, including Brisbane and Collingwood.

“The new entity’s colours are expected to be mostly North’s blue and white, with a logo in Fitzroy’s gold. The new list will include up to 15 of Fitzroy’s current 42 listed players.” – Philip Cullen, Herald Sun

The mention of Brisbane as one of the other candidates was expanded on in both the Herald Sun and The Age, hinting there were more twists and turns to come down the track.

“If they (Fitzroy) decide on the North Melbourne-Fitzroy Roos, so be it. The AFL may have preferred to see Fitzroy go north, but it will have the good grace to be content with a merger, rather than force its preferred scenario.” – Mike Sheahan, Herald Sun, May 15

“The North Melbourne-Fitzroy merger has been done, according to Brisbane, which last night conceded it had been beaten in the race to be part of the AFL’s first merger.

“‘We’re out of it,’ the (Brisbane) source said. ‘The deal has been done with North.’” – Stephen Linnell, The Age, May 15

In the meantime, the focus turned to how the Roos’ playing list would respond to the news. Initially, it was met very coolly by the key men.

Click to enlarge

“I’m playing for North Melbourne now and I’ll be playing for North Melbourne for the rest of the year, and it something changes at the end of the year, so be it.” – Wayne Carey

“We’re contracted to the North Melbourne Football Club and the most important thing is that there still is the North Melbourne Football Club. Until there is a signature on a piece of paper that is an agreement to a merger, it won’t change our thoughts. If it goes that way, well, we’ll have to assess that at that time.” – Wayne Schwass

However, the issues of player morale was sorted at North quickly. The question then rose on how the remaining AFL clubs would take to the news. After all, North was one of the best teams in the competition for 1996 – without any influx of talented Lions youth.

At this early stage, in mid-May of 1996, it appeared the clubs were at the very least content with the merger.

“One club source said he expected the majority would agree to the union, allowing Port (Adelaide) to accept the second SA licence without expanding the AFL competition.

“I think they might let it slip through because any benefit to North Melbourne would disappear quickly.”

It’s believed Fitzroy’s debt could balloon to $3.5 million at the end of the season and by the time officials are compensated and the Arden St complex upgraded, there would be little remaining of the AFL’s $6 million offer to merging clubs.” – Bruce Matthews, Herald Sun

Perhaps the clubs’ early opinions were based on the mood of the Fitzroy players.

“North Melbourne may be short changed on the player front if the union with Fitzroy eventuates, with several key Lions expected to nominate for the draft rather than play with the new club.” – Stephen Linnell, The Age

The Fitzroy chairman, Dyson Hore-Lacy, had been in the position since 1991 and emerged as the public spokesman for the Lions’ perspective of the merger.

Right from the outset he made it clear why the club’s choice was to enter merger discussions with North Melbourne and not Brisbane.

“The main reason the Brisbane option was not proceeded with, was the message that was coming very loud and very clear from our members: that if we were going to merge, they would prefer to merge with a Melbourne club.

“The Brisbane Bears know they are not a consideration. Nothing is ever really over in football, as we all know, but at the moment we are only dealing with North Melbourne.

“I happen to believe that North Melbourne is probably the most progressive club in the competition, a club which has done remarkably well in recent years to achieve what it has achieved.” – Dyson Hore-Lacy

According to the Lions’ chairman, eight clubs had merger discussions with the club, six had been in touch about a possible union in recent times, and three had outlined proposals for a merger.

But there was to be more tough times ahead for Fitzroy, battling to simply stay afloat as financial troubles worsened by the day.

“Fitzroy has a deadline of Friday week (May 31) to merge or the AFL will take over the administration of the embattled club.

“The Lions will be unable to meet a large portion of their monthly player payments – when they fall due on 31 May.” – Stephen Linnell, The Age, May 21

To be continued…

Wednesday: Negotiations continue and the other clubs start to raise their voices