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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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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