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Bonkers 516-point mauling as horrific scoreboard shatters footy records

Bonkers 516-point mauling as horrific scoreboard shatters footy records

An Adelaide football club’s 516-point victory has smashed all records and sparked fierce debate.

Fitzroy’s thumping off Adelaide Football League club Elizabeth at Argana Park on Saturday in Adelaide’s north has dropped jaws around the country and has got football statisticians reaching for the record books.

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The final score of the Division 6 match — 82.24 (516) to 0.0 (0) — is the stuff you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.

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Fitzroy Community Football Club president Talal Kayal even released a statement on Facebook acknowledging the opposition club’s plight.

The massacre comes just days after reports emerged Elizabeth was in danger of folding.

Not content with 369-point lead at three-quarter time, Fitzroy players shot for the record books, kicking a further 24 goals in the fourth quarter.

The 82 goals were scored at a rate quicker than one goal per-minute of game time.

Forward Josh Rosenthal kicked 29 goals while midfielder Dylan Richard also kicked 13 goals. James Ellis would have been hard done by to kick 17 goals and still miss out on being best-on-ground.

According to the Adelaide Avertiser, the result is the biggest senior score and margin in league history.

Stop! Stop! They’re already dead. Photo: Facebook, Fitzroy Community Club.Source: Facebook

Incredibly, Rosenthal’s haul is only the highest number of goals scored by an individual since 2019 when Darren Mitchell kicked 32 goals in one game for Hope Valley.

The 516-point defeat means Elizabeth has now lost its opening four games by a staggering combined 1424 point.

The club started the year with defeats of 347-7 against Eastern Park, 265-11 against St Paul’s and 296-13 against Houghton Districts.

News Corp reported last week the club was in danger of surviving through to the 2025 season.

It has been reported the Eagles had a mass exodus of senior players late in the pre-season and had requested to solely play C-Grade in 2024.

Because the 2024 season fixtures had already been finalised, the club’s request was denied by the Adelaide Football League.

Fitzroy coach Darryl Cotter, who is a former A Grade premiership player with Elizabeth, said the win was “bittersweet”.

“Obviously the boys are very happy and we’ve now had a really good start to the year,” he said.

“We played a good team game, played to our structures and didn’t really have any individuals which was pleasing.

“It was a bit bittersweet, I’ve got a lot of love for my old club and they are in a tough position at the moment.

“We all want them to survive and want to help out as best we can and the boys were really humble about the win.”

Josh Rosenthal kicks his first of 29 goals. Picture: Aaron BurgessSource: Supplied

The comments sections of posts on Facebook, Twitter and Reddit have been flooded with fans questioning why a mercy rule wasn’t enforced or why Fitzroy continued to dance on their opponent’s grave.

The statement from club president Kayal shared Fitzroy’s sympathy for their opposition.

“To all supporters, players past and present. To say today was a game of records being set is an understatement,” the president wrote in a message shared on the club’s Facebook page.

“We believe that this could be the amateur league highest winning margin and highest score at the same time. This is also Fitzroy’s highest ever score.

“We also had a Fitzroy legends goal kicking record of 18, broken by Josh Rosenthal, who kicked 29.

“Congratulations to all involved from supporters, trainers, coaches and players.

“However, we must understand that wins and records like this always come at the cost of the opposition who are currently struggling. Elizabeth Football Club have always been a proud and strong club who we have had many battles against over the past 30 plus years.

“Right now there is a long road in front of them however we hope to see the Eagles flying again very soon. Well done to those who continue to front week in week out you have our support.”

The final scores shocked commentators on Saturday night.

Sports presenter Corey Norris had to tell viewers on Channel 9 on Saturday night the scoreboard was “no joke”.

Channel 7’s Kate Massey said: “If you think you’ve had a bad day. It can’t be as rough as the Elizabeth Football Club”.