The Pirates’ showed plenty of early fight before top-of-the-table Fitzroy flexed their muscles, running away with the four points at the Harry Mac.

Despite Fitzroy entering as heavy favourites, the Pirates started with a bang. Felly sparked the crowd early, launching a ripper on the run from outside the arc to open the scoring. The Pirates kept the ball pinned in their forward half for most of the opening 15 minutes before Fitzroy managed their first major.

Matty Stone answered immediately, capitalizing on a turnover with a sharp set shot. Fitzroy managed three goals before the siren, but the Pirates went into the first break with belief, trailing by just 6 points.

The second quarter turned into a tight arm-wrestle, with neither side able to snatch momentum early. The deadlock broke when back-to-back free kicks yielded a pair of goals for Fitzroy. The visitors then blew the game open in the final five minutes of the term, slotting three quick majors to head into the main break with a 32-point lead.

The third term was much of the same as both sides struggled to find the big sticks. The Pirates’ were dealt a disappointing blow as Benji Pulsford went down with a bad corky, but George Fletcher provided an immediate lift by kicking truly from right in front.

Fitzroy answered with two quick majors to push the margin out to six goals, but the Pirates’ kept pressing. Hammer worked tirelessly in the ruck, Felly provided some speed off half-back, and Jake Williams continued on as the teams cleanest disposal user. Despite the effort, the visitors maintained control to hold a 39-point lead at three-quarter time.

Fitzroy flexed their muscles in the last, taking control of the stoppages and firing the ball inside 50 and converting more often than not. Under-19 talents Casper Deegan and Jesse Somdecerff saw plenty of the footy in patches, helping stem the tide and creating a few scoring opportunities.

Ultimately Fitzroy were too strong, utilising their clean transition and fast feet to blow the scoreboard out to 87 points by the final siren. However, it was a spirited display to stay very competitive through the first half, and with up to seven key players on return next wee, the Pirates have plenty of reason to keep their heads high.