In Round 18, 1947, he kicked 18 goals, 1 behind, in a game against St Kilda, which remains the record for most goals in a VFL/AFL match to this day; this was coincidentally Fanning's final appearance in a VFL match.
In Round 18 of 1947, Fanning scored an incredible 18 goals, just one behind his team's opponents St Kilda, which remains the record for most goals in an VFL/AFL match to this day; it was also his final game in a VFL match.