A photo was taken in the Sydney Swans’ change rooms following the 1996 Preliminary Final.
The Swans had just won through to their first grand final as a new entity. The red and white hadn’t been part of ultimate success since South Melbourne won the 1933 premiership while the AFL/VFL’s biggest stage had eluded them since the 1945 defeat to Carlton.
You can see in the expressions of the players just how significant the win was. In that joyous moment, years of heartache and uncertainty were forgotten about.
There was nothing but pure elation in those rooms.
Derek Kickett, wearing the No. 24, has his back turned to the camera. He looks animated, jubilant, like he’s reliving every moment of the one-point epic with a teammate.
It would have been a relief for the Western Australian.
Kickett played three seasons at Essendon before finding his way to Sydney at the end of 1993. After playing in Essendon’s losing grand final in 1990, the midfielder was sensationally omitted for what would eventually be the Bombers’ flag win in ‘93 after missing only one game that season.
Had his time finally come?
Next to Kickett, two teammates embrace.
It’s difficult to tell who they are but chances are Paul Kelly is one of them. The dirty knees give him away.
Tony Lockett in the rooms following the 1996 Preliminary Final win over Essendon
There’s something raw about their embrace. A jumper is gripped tight while both heads are buried into the other’s shoulder. ‘How good is this?’ one’s probably saying as the realisation sinks in.
A trainer joins in the celebration. It was a win for all, not just the players.
Daniel McPherson and Paul Roos sit side-by-side, looking around the room, soaking up the occasion in their own way: quiet and reserved.
Smiles mask the exhaustion of playing out a fierce contest.
Both players are at different ends in their respective careers. Roos, having come from a celebrated 13-year career with Fitzroy, was counting down the seasons. McPherson had it all ahead of him.
The biggest smile in the room is on the face of Troy Luff. He’s shaking the hand of a teammate who’s just out of shot. A job well done.
Just like the Sydney Swans, who had delisted and redrafted him twice beforehand, 1996 was his breakout year.
And then there is Tony Lockett – the man of the moment.
The star forward’s bulking frame is sitting there with his head in his hands and his eyes, expressionless, looking straight ahead.
Lockett had been under an injury cloud going into the crunch match. He’d missed the Qualifying Final with groin troubles. The then three-time Coleman Medallist had to play the following the week, injured or not.
Lockett kicked more goals than anyone else in AFL/VFL history. But his final kick – the final kick in the 96’ Prelim – will go down as one his most important.
Funnily enough it was only a minor score. But it didn’t matter. As Channel 7 commentator Sandy Roberts pointed out - “any score will do”.
It took everything to send that ball goal-ward. Players dream of playing in premierships – the next best thing is being the one who wins a game off their own boot after the final siren.
Plugger’s point was on a whole different level.
Twenty years on, it’s difficult to know what Lockett was thinking at the moment that scene was captured. It’s probably all a blur to him as well.
But best guesses point to an overbearing feeling of relief that, finally, the Sydney Swans would get a crack at achieving the ultimate success.
