[1] One source has suggested however that the move was engineered by Collingwood powerbroker John Wren at the behest of a political ally in South Australia.
[2] Arriving at Sturt in 1951, Fitzgerald quickly made an impression, being appointed captain after three games, and took over the coaching role mid-season.
In 1955 Fitzgerald got Sturt to the preliminary final, but the club failed to honour a promise of a bonus.
When Fitzgerald returned to Sturt in 1959, he helped them to make the finals that year, the first time since his departure.
He represented his adopted State of South Australia 20 times and was named an All Australian in the 1953 Adelaide Carnival.