Tony Lockett

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Tony Lockett
Personal information
Full name Anthony Howard Lockett
Nickname(s) "Plugger"
Date of birth (1966-03-09) 9 March 1966 (age 55)
Place of birth Ballarat, Victoria
Original team(s) North Ballarat (BFL)
Height 191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight 112 kg (247 lb)
Position(s) Full-forward
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1983–1994 St Kilda 183 0(898)
1995–1999, 2002 Sydney 098 0(462)
Total 281 (1360)
Representative team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
Victoria 5 (19)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2002.
Career highlights

Club

  • Brownlow Medal: (1987)
  • 4× Coleman Medal: (1987, 1991, 1996, 1998)
  • 2× St Kilda Best & Fairest: (1987, 1991)
  • Bob Skilton Medal: (1995)
  • VFLPA MVP: (1987)
  • 5× All-Australian team: (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1998)
  • E. J. Whitten Medal: (1995)
  • Australian Football Hall of Fame, inducted 2006, Legend status 2015
  • Sydney Team of the Century – Full Forward
  • St Kilda Team of the Century – Full Forward
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Anthony Howard Lockett (born 9 March 1966) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the St Kilda Football Club and Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Nicknamed “Plugger”, Lockett is considered one of the greatest full forwards in the game's history. Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and upgraded to Legend status in 2015, he is the most prolific goal kicker in VFL/AFL history, breaking Gordon Coventry's record in 1999 and eventually finishing with 1,360 goals in 281 games. He became the first full-forward to be awarded the Brownlow Medal in 1987, won the Coleman Medal four times, and kicked more than 100 goals in a season on six occasions (an AFL record he shares with Jason Dunstall of Hawthorn).

While Lockett's statistics and accolades justify his standing as a legend of Australian football, equally significant was his almost single-handed impact at both St Kilda and Sydney. He arrived at St Kilda when the club was in the doldrums and became the man on whose mighty shoulders the club's fortunes would rise and fall. Similarly, when he moved to Sydney in 1995, the Swans were struggling both on and off the field; they had finished bottom of the ladder in 1994 and were battling to stay relevant in the heart of rugby league territory. After kicking more than 100 goals three times in four seasons and famously booting a point to send Sydney into the 1996 AFL Grand Final, Lockett helped to ensure Australian rules football would have a lasting future in the Harbour City.

Lockett's achievements are all the more remarkable given the significant chunks of time he missed through injury and suspension. Besides suffering from chronic asthma, he struggled to maintain his weight (which ranged from 95 to 112 kg according to listings in AFL Records over the years) and required painkillers to manage the ongoing effects of a torn groin muscle.[1] Lockett was not afraid to use his size and strength to unsettle opponents, but his aggression also resulted in him being frequently reported for striking and rough conduct. He appeared before the Tribunal 16 times over his career and was suspended for 23 matches.[2]

Early life[]

Born in the western Victorian town of Ballarat to Howard Lockett, a local football champion who would later be inducted in the North Ballarat Football Club Hall of Fame,[3] and Liz,[4] Lockett is one of three siblings, with a brother (Neil) and a sister (Di).[5] Lockett's passion for greyhound racing can be traced to his grandfather Charlie, who supplied pacemakers for the local greyhound racing club[6] and was a club committeeman at North Ballarat.[5]

Lockett was educated at Ballarat Secondary College and Ballarat Grammar School, and began playing Australian football with the Under-12s team of his father's club, North Ballarat Football Club, in 1974. He played a total of 120 junior games with the club.[7] He had played just five senior games as a 16-year-old in 1982 with North Ballarat before he was recruited by St Kilda, since Ballarat was part of the club's recruiting zone.

Career[]

VFL/AFL[]

St Kilda career: 1983–1994[]

When Lockett arrived at St Kilda in 1983, the club was going through a period of decline on and off the field; in his first four seasons at Moorabbin, the Saints would finish at the bottom of the ladder. As a teenager coming out of Ballarat for the first time, Lockett was constantly homesick in his early years and eventually St Kilda conceded to his desire to travel from home when required.[1]
Lockett made his senior VFL debut in Round 4 against Geelong at VFL Park. There was a high degree of controversy surrounding this game since the Saints, after seeking legal advice, decided to include Sydney's Paul Morwood in their line-up without a clearance from the Swans or a permit from the League. According to the rules at the time, if the Saints had won, they would have risked forfeiting the premiership points.[8] As it turned out, they went down in a spirited effort by 11 points. Lockett goaled with his first kick, but had an otherwise quiet debut with only five disposals and four marks.
Lockett was supposed to be understudy to the enigmatic Mark Jackson, who the Saints had brought in from Melbourne on a three-year contract. But after Jackson was sacked mid-season, Lockett was given the role and finished the season with a modest return of 19 goals in 12 games.

In the opening game of 1984, the Saints were up against the previous season's runner-up Essendon at Moorabbin. Lining up at full forward, Lockett matched his Essendon counterpart Paul Salmon goal for goal in an entertaining game which the Bombers won by 37 points after a tight first half. Both Lockett and Salmon would end up with seven goals. Lockett showed a glimpse of his explosive best in the third quarter when he kicked three goals in a four-minute spell, and beat a succession of opponents to be considered the Saints' best player.[9]

Lockett was now recognized as one of the VFL's star forwards, and teams were trying to find players who could physically match him. In St Kilda's opening game of the 1986 VFL season against Footscray at Western Oval, Lockett was reported by four umpires for striking Bulldogs captain Rick Kennedy during the third quarter. Lockett pleaded guilty to the charge, claiming he had been provoked, and was suspended for two matches.[10]

St Kilda's fortunes were finally about to turn when premiership captain Darrel Baldock was appointed coach for 1987 while still serving in the Parliament of Tasmania. He appointed Danny Frawley captain, having identified leadership qualities in the then 23-year-old full back, gave regular game time to newcomers Nathan Burke and Nicky Winmar, who would become club stalwarts for the following decade, and set about improving the general skill level of the playing group. Under Baldock's guidance, Lockett had a career-best season, tying for the Brownlow Medal with John Platten.

His best season at St Kilda was in 1991, when he kicked 127 goals in 17 games, at an average of 7.47 goals per game, the second-highest average ever achieved in VFL/AFL history (after Peter Hudson's 1972 and 1973 averages of eight after playing only one game each year). He was also the spearhead for St Kilda's first finals appearance since 1973. In the Elimination final against Geelong, he kicked nine goals and five behinds, although the Saints were beaten by seven points.

In 1992, he kicked the most goals that season, with 132 goals. He was described by dual Brownlow medallist Robert Harvey as the best player he had ever seen.[11]

1994 was a turbulent year for Lockett marred by injury and suspension. After kicking five goals in an opening round loss to Hawthorn, Lockett started well against North Melbourne in the Round 2 clash at the MCG, kicking three quick goals, only to suffer a corked right calf muscle shortly afterward. With Lockett unable to return after quarter time, and Stewart Loewe already absent with a groin injury, the Saints lacked a key target in attack and the Kangaroos won easily by 69 points.[12] Lockett would end up missing the next four matches.

Sydney Swans career: 1995–1999 2002[]

In 1995, Lockett transferred to the Sydney Swans, where he played for another six seasons. He was an instant success with the Swans, helping the team into the 1996 finals series and subsequently into the 1996 AFL Grand Final. With scores tied in the preliminary final game, Lockett kicked a point after the siren to give Sydney a one-point victory.[13] Despite a groin injury, he played in the grand final, which the Swans lost to North Melbourne. It was the only grand final appearance of Lockett's career.

Lockett's career-best goal-scoring performance came in Round 19, 1995, against Fitzroy at the Western Oval, when he scored 16 goals straight.

Lockett became a cult figure in Sydney. He was a massive drawcard for the struggling Sydney Swans, who had previously found it difficult to attract large support in New South Wales's rugby league heartland. At the height of his popularity, the song "One Tony Lockett" was released (sung to the tune of "Guantanamera"), performed by James Freud.

In 1996, Lockett was the subject of much hype in the clash between Geelong and Sydney in which Gary Ablett Sr. was playing at the other end of the ground. The match was billed by the media as Plugger vs God and set a ground record attendance at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He broke the record of 1,299 career goals (set by Gordon Coventry) at the SCG in 1999 and sparked one of the biggest pitch invasions seen in Australian rules football.

Lockett retired at the end of 1999 but had a brief comeback in 2002, playing three games and adding three goals to his record for a grand total of 1,360 career goals.

State of Origin[]

Lockett played five State of Origin games for Victoria, kicking 19 goals in those games. In his State of Origin debut in 1985 against Western Australia, Lockett kicked one goal. He was selected in 1987 against South Australia, and again kicked one goal. In 1989, he kicked five goals in a notable game against South Australia at the MCG.[14] He again kicked five goals against Western Australia in 1992. His final interstate match came in 1995 against South Australia, kicking seven goals and winning the E. J. Whitten Medal.[15] Lockett is known as a big supporter of State of Origin[14] and said after he won the E. J. Whitten Medal that "to win this medal will probably go down as one of the happiest days of my life, and I'll treasure it forever".[15]

Statistics[]

[16]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Led the league for the season only
Led the league after finals only
Led the league after season and finals
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
1983 St Kilda 37 12 19 17 76 26 102 44 N/A 1.6 1.4 6.3 2.2 8.5 3.7 N/A
1984 St Kilda 14 20 77 44 146 19 165 108 N/A 3.9 2.2 7.3 1.0 8.3 5.4 N/A
1985 St Kilda 14 21 79 22 146 32 178 112 N/A 3.8 1.0 7.0 1.5 8.5 5.3 N/A
1986 St Kilda 14 18 60 29 119 36 155 85 N/A 3.3 1.6 6.6 2.0 8.6 4.7 N/A
1987 St Kilda 14 22 117 52 226 49 275 164 16 5.3 2.4 10.3 2.2 12.5 7.5 0.7
1988 St Kilda 4 8 35 19 65 19 84 44 6 4.4 2.4 8.1 2.4 10.5 5.5 0.8
1989 St Kilda 4 11 78 24 122 18 140 92 5 7.1 2.2 11.1 1.6 12.7 8.4 0.5
1990 St Kilda 4 12 65 34 112 16 128 84 11 5.4 2.8 9.3 1.3 10.7 7.0 0.9
1991 St Kilda 4 17 127 51 190 33 223 140 7 7.5 3.0 11.2 1.9 13.1 8.2 0.4
1992 St Kilda 4 22 132 58 214 30 244 157 12 6.0 2.6 9.7 1.4 11.1 7.1 0.5
1993 St Kilda 4 10 53 12 85 26 111 63 7 5.3 1.2 8.5 2.6 11.1 6.3 0.7
1994 St Kilda 4 10 56 26 100 16 116 76 7 5.6 2.6 10.0 1.6 11.6 7.6 0.7
1995 Sydney 4 19 110 44 176 42 218 139 16 5.8 2.3 9.3 2.2 11.5 7.3 0.8
1996 Sydney 4 22 121 63 212 45 257 168 21 5.5 2.9 9.6 2.0 11.7 7.6 1.0
1997 Sydney 4 12 37 21 65 23 88 50 7 3.1 1.8 5.4 1.9 7.3 4.2 0.6
1998 Sydney 4 23 109 36 167 41 208 121 9 4.7 1.6 7.3 1.8 9.0 5.3 0.4
1999 Sydney 4 19 82 38 141 27 168 112 15 4.3 2.0 7.4 1.4 8.8 5.9 0.8
2002 Sydney 46 3 3 0 5 2 7 1 3 1.0 0.0 1.7 0.7 2.3 0.3 1.0
Career 281 1360 590 2367 500 2867 1760 142 4.8 2.1 8.4 1.8 10.2 6.3 0.7

Tribunal appearances[]

Lockett's career was marred by several high-profile tribunal appearances. The most famous was in an 11-goal match for St Kilda against his future club, Sydney, in 1994 when he broke Peter Caven's cheekbone as he led out from full-forward and while the unaware Caven was backtracking for the ball. The incident resulted in an eight-week suspension for charging.

Life outside Football[]

During his time at St Kilda, Lockett resented the attention that came with his superstar status in Victorian football, and was well-known for his distrust of the media. In one particularly famous incident in 1988, he was at the with his father to receive treatment for the serious ankle injury he had sustained against North Melbourne, but had not been informed by St Kilda club officials that a media contingent, which included Eddie McGuire as a reporter for Network Ten, would also be in attendance. Caught by surprise, Lockett angrily hurled both his crutches at the cameraman.

After retiring, Lockett purchased a rural property near Bowral in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales and moved there with his wife Vicki and four daughters.[17]

In a 2014 interview he dismissed the idea that he had become a recluse since retiring, stating that he was simply enjoying the quiet life of an ex-footballer.[17]

The move to Sydney, and the relative anonymity that came with it, appeared to soften Lockett. He even appeared in various television commercials, including and Lowes Menswear (in Sydney). While at a taping session for a Lowes commercial, Lockett engaged in a friendly wrestling match with former amateur rugby player Adrian "Ace" Mueller, who was at the time working for Lowes corporate division. According to some reports, the friendly wrestle developed into something quite competitive, with Lockett pinning Mueller (an exponent of the Israeli self-defence system Krav Maga).[18] Lockett appeared with Stephen Curry and Dave Lawson in a Toyota Memorable Moments advertisement which takes a lighthearted look at some moments in his career such as the piglet "Pluga", "One Tony Lockett", "That Point" and his 1,300th goal (including the pitch invasion).

The Lockett End at Docklands Stadium

Lockett is also well known for his interest in greyhound racing.[19]

Lockett has competed in the gruelling Finke Desert Race in the open motorcycle class since 2008,[20] and for the over-45s subcategory on many occasions between 2011 and 2019,[21][22] riding in 2017, 2018, and 2019 by using his KTM 500 EXC.[23]

In 2017, Lockett made a surprise decision to return to the Sydney Swans as a part-time goal-kicking and forwards coach.[24][25]

Nickname[]

Lockett's father, Howard, inherited the nickname "Plugger" from his own father who used to "plug around" in the garden. Howard Lockett, who himself played 500 games of country football,[26] then saw it fit to pass down the nickname once more to his son, and it became synonymous with his large size.

In Round 18, 1993, in a match at the Sydney Cricket Ground between St Kilda (then Lockett's club) and Sydney (his future club), a piglet (being a reference to Lockett's build) was released by a member of the Sydney crowd onto the ground (with the wrongly spelled nickname "Pluga" and Lockett's playing number of "4" spray painted onto it) before being tackled to the ground and removed by Sydney Swans player Darren Holmes.[27] The Channel Seven commentary of the incident had the exclamation of "There's a pig at full-forward!" from commentator Sandy Roberts. Lockett was actually absent from the match due to injury.

Legacy[]

Lockett was inducted to both the St Kilda and Sydney Swans' Team of the Century in 2001 and 2003, respectively.

In 2004, he was inducted into the North Ballarat Football Club hall of fame.

On 22 June 2006, Lockett was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was elevated to "Legend" status.

The southern goal end at Docklands Stadium was named after him as the "Lockett End", with the other end being named after the footballer whose goal record he broke, Gordon Coventry.

The Ballarat Football League award for the leading goal-scorer for the home-and-away season is named after Lockett,[28] as he played his junior football with Ballarat Football League club North Ballarat.

On 19 July 2009, Lockett was inducted into the Sydney Swans Hall of Fame.

In 2003, he was inducted into the St Kilda Football Club Hall of Fame; on 24 July 2010, he was elevated to "Legend" status.

Lockett kicked over one hundred goals in a season on six occasions: at St Kilda in years 1987 (117), 1991 (127), and 1992 (132); and at Sydney in years 1995 (110), 1996 (121), and 1998 (109). This is a tied league record for the number of times a player has kicked over 100 goals in a separate season (which he shares with Jason Dunstall).

The New South Wales Primary Schools Sports Association Australian Football competition is named the Tony Lockett Shield.

In 2017, Lockett was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.[29]

See also[]

  • After the siren kicks in Australian rules football

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Jackson, Russell (1 July 2014). "The Joy of Six: Tony Lockett". The Guardian.
  2. ^ Browne, Ashley (4 June 2015). "Lockett becomes a Legend". Sydney Swans.
  3. ^ "2006 – Howard Lockett". Archived from the original on 21 July 2008.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ Davis, Peter (4 June 1999). "The Saint who became ... Sydney's Saviour". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Nolan, Pat (5 June 2015). "Tony Lockett officially named AFL 'legend'". The Courier.
  6. ^ Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Saints risk Points by defying VFL rules". The Canberra Times. 57 (17, 367). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 17 April 1983. p. 1 (SPORT). Retrieved 15 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Bombers struggle to overcome Saints". The Canberra Times. 58 (17, 717). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 1 April 1984. p. 29. Retrieved 16 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Lockett claims provocation – 'Saint' is told to sit out two". The Canberra Times. 60 (18, 445). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 2 April 1986. p. 40. Retrieved 16 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ Hawthorne, Mark (30 September 2010). "Off to greener pastures (sometimes)". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  12. ^ "Demons' first-term blitz crushes Hawks". The Canberra Times. 68 (21, 536). Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 3 April 1994. p. 13. Retrieved 16 June 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ AFLGreatestSport (3 September 2011). "AFL- Tony Lockett kicks a behind after siren to win". Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2016 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b SAfootballarchive (6 March 2012), 1989 State of Origin Victoria 22.17.149 d South Australia 9.9.63, retrieved 28 February 2016
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b SAfootballarchive (6 March 2012), 1995 State of Origin Victoria 18.12.120 d South Australia 8.9.57 (Ted Whitten Farewell game), retrieved 28 February 2016
  16. ^ "AFL Tables – Tony Lockett – Stats – Statistics". afltables.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b "SPECIAL: Tony Lockett | After the game". Brimbank & North West Star Weekly. 5 May 2014.
  18. ^ Inside-Rugby magazine February 1999
  19. ^ Cockington, James (20 June 2012). "This is no slumdog". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  20. ^ "Tony Lockett comes to Finke – ABC (none) – Australian Broadcasting Corporation". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Tony Lockett comes to Finke". www.abc.net.au. 7 June 2008. Archived from the original on 11 June 2008. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. ^ "TFDR – Bike Overall Outright". finkedesertrace.com.au. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Plugger's back: Tony Lockett to help Swans forwards – AFL.com.au". afl.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  25. ^ Buckley, James (14 March 2017). "Goal-kicking legend Tony Lockett joins Swans coaching staff". The Age. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  26. ^ "Tribute to Tony Lockett". Archived from the original on 5 February 2007. Retrieved 24 January 2007.
  27. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2006.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. ^ "Ballarat Football League – SportsTG". SportsTG. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  29. ^ "Tony Lockett snags Sport Australia Hall of Fame Induction". Sport Australia Hall of Fame website. Retrieved 27 September 2020.

Further reading[]

  • Holt, Stephanie; Hutchinson, Garrie (2003). Footy's Greatest Players. Coulomb Communication. ISBN 0-9580737-3-2.

External links[]

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