Gerald Brosnan

Who is Gerald Brosnan?

Gerald Brosnan was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the early years of the Victorian Football League. He played as a key position forward and had an accurate left foot kick.

Brosnan originally tried out with Geelong in 1894 and Essendon in 1895 but was let go by both sides. He then moved to Ballarat Football Club in 1896, playing for them until 1899. Buoyed by his good form for Ballarat, Brosnan decided to make another attempt at a VFL career and joined Fitzroy. Brosnan made his league debut in the 1900 VFL season and in his second season Brosnan won their Leading Goalkicker Award with 33 goals.

Brosnan became club captain in 1903, leading Fitzroy to the 1903 VFL Grand Final, losing by two points. In the dying seconds he had a chance to win the game after marking a pass from teammate Percy Trotter thirty metres out from goal. The final bell rang as he took the kick and he could only manage a behind.

Fitzroy however won premierships in 1904 and 1905, meaning that when Brosnan left the captaincy at the end of the 1905 VFL season he had led the club to the Grand Final in each of his three seasons in charge.