Following the rise of the Sydney Swans from a four win 1994 season, to Grand Finalists in 1996, Tony Lockett is the biggest ticket in town.
Episode 5 of The Bloods, presented by QBE explores the 1996 Grand Final and the enormous impact of the goal kicking machine they called Plugger.
Teammate Paul Roos, whose arrival to Sydney was intertwined with Lockett’s, has high praise for the legendary goalkicker.
“He is the most influential figure in the history of footy as far as I’m concerned,” Roos explains in episode 5 of The Bloods.
“Because he opened up a national competition. Him and Barrass (Ron Barrassi), but certainly Plugger from a performance point of view. And not many people can say that…well none can,” Roos says.
Long-time Sydney Swans board member Andrew McMaster agrees, citing the Lockett era of the 1990’s as a transformative one for the Swans.
“Plugger doesn’t need to do any talking, because he does all his talking on the field,” he says.
“He became - particularly after he kicked the 16 in 1995 against Fitzroy - an absolute colossus. It is the only way to describe it.
“He transformed the sporting landscape, not just the club, but the sporting landscape in Sydney. It was just incredible the impact that he had,” McMaster recounts.
Roos and McMaster feature in episode 5 of The Bloods, along with coach Rodney Eade, as they recount the 1996 Grand Final, and the excitement of Lockett’s record breaking 1300th goal.
Leading into the Round 10 clash with Collingwood in 1999 at the SCG, Lockett needed just three goals to surpass Gordon Coventry’s 62 year-old goal kicking record, set at 1299.
After booting two opening quarter goals, the SCG crowd was at fever pitch as they awaited the record to tumble.
A kick from good mate Paul Kelly late in the first term, landing on his chest would deliver the Plugger the opportunity.
“Will he write his name in the record books, forever, with this kick?,” legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney quips.
There is little left for McAvaney to say as the ball sails through.
“A remarkable player”.
Swans fans can relieve the 1996 Grand Final heartache, and the joy of Pluggers record breaking kick, in episode 5 of The Bloods, presented by QBE. Available now for download.
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14:31
More than Footy Podcast presented by Bing Lee - Episode 18 (Bill Knowles and Damian Raper)
In this week's episode of the More than Footy Podcast presented by Bing Lee, renowned Physiotherapist Bill Knowles talks through his experience in the club, what he's working on with the athletes and the incredible atmosphere at Henson Park.
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25:28
More than Footy Podcast presented by Bing Lee - Episode 8 (Jarred Hodges)
In this week's episode of More than Footy presented by Bing Lee, Jarred Hodges our Sydney Swans Indigenous Strategy and Player Development Manager talks us through Marn Grook, the importance and relevance of Welcome to Country and his humble beginnings.
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15:03
More than Footy - Isaac Heeney and Robbie Fox
This week on More than Footy Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney sits down with teammate and best mate Robbie Fox to chat about his upcoming 200th game milestone. The duo share how their bromance begun, Heeney opens up on the suspension that ruled him out of Brownlow contention and Foxy reveals why it took him 11 months to propose to now fiancé Bec. TIME CODES: 0.40 – How the Fox & Heeney bromance begun 2.00 Fox reflects on his 100th game milestone 3.00 Heeney reflects on his career to date ahead of his 200th game milestone 4.30 On THAT Isaac Heeney hanger 8.00 Heeney opens up on his first ever AFL suspension 11.00 Fox shares why it took him 11 months to pop the question
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26:04
Everyday Greatness podcast Episode 5 - Shaun Christie-David and Liz Ponitka
One of our favourite humans and founder of social enterprise Plate It Forward, Shaun Christie-David, is joined by Sydney Swans HQ Head of Facility, Liz Ponitka, in the latest episode of Barnaby Howarth’s Everyday Greatness podcast.
AFL
Everyday Greatness Podcast -
30:23
Everyday Greatness podcast Episode 4 - Edward Federman and Michael O'Loughlin
Episode 4 of the Everyday Greatness podcast, featuring guests Edward Federman and Michael O'Loughlin.
AFL
Everyday Greatness Podcast -
11:53
More than Footy - Ashley Reade
This week we are joined by Nike General Manager and Vice President Ashley Reade. With nearly 20 years at the global brand, Ashley gives us an insight into where Sydney Swans HQ sits amongst other sporting giants around the world, as well as some of the highlights and challenges that have come with leading a team through some of the world’s biggest sporting events.
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15:09
More than Footy - Alexander Volkanovski
This week’s episode of More than Footy features Australian UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski, who reveals what he got up to on his visit to Swans HQ. The 26-4 fighter shared his thoughts on AFL, how he went from rugby league to MMA, his thoughts on concussion in sport, and that time Volk was brutally shut down by his own daughter following his loss to Islam Makhachev.
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01:06
The Bloods - Leaving South Melbourne, Episode One
'The Bloods', presented by QBE, is now available via Apple and Spotify. Tune into this snippet from Episode 1 which begins in the turbulent times of the early 1980s, with South Melbourne facing severe financial distress and relocation to Sydney.
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