Anthony T 'Tony' Lockett
One of the all-time great full-forwards who had a magnificent career at St Kilda.
St Kilda 1983-94 183 games 898 goals. Sydney 1995-97 53 games 268 goals. (b: 9 Mar 1966 191 cms 110 kgs). One of the all-time great full-forwards who had a magnificent career at St Kilda and added another chapter with his feats for Sydney. The son of a country star who Bob Davis believed was one of the best footballers not to play League football. Tony's family in Ballarat was reluctant to let him come to the city and so was he.
Coach Tony Jewell recalled that the first time he trained with the team he said: "Why would I want to play with all those big heads?" From the moment the ex-North Ballarat boy booted a goal with his first kick in League football St Kilda knew they had something special. His vice-like marking and overwhelming strength soon rocketed him to stardom and he gave a hint of things to come with 77 goals in his second season.
In 1987 he booted 117 goals to head the goalkicking and became the first full-forward to win a Brownlow. Lockett found the glare of being in the spotlight intrusive and over the years his relations with an inquisitive media were frequently strained. Although his weight was a recurring problem he had tremendous pace over the vital first five yards and once he secured front position was virtually unstoppable.
Lockett's breathtaking style made him one of the few men who could attract crowds on his own. In the years immediately after his Brownlow win he was dogged by injury and a series of other misfortunes breaking his ankle in 1988 and having his season cut short by suspension and groin problems in 1989. He was in devastating form early in 1990 until injuring a knee and prior to 1991 was the fittest he had ever been. When he seriously damaged the wing vertebrae in his back it seemed that he was jinxed yet again but he overcame the delayed start to the season by booting 12 goals in his return game against the Crows. He went on to kick 127 goals and earn another Coleman Medal. His tremendous form lifted St Kilda to its first finals appearance in 18 years. He subsequently kicked 15 goals in a game In 1992 he booted 132 goals including a new club record 15 against Sydney but the following year he was again dogged by injuries and missed the latter part of the season when he aggravated his back injury.
Ian Stewart praised Lockett for the way he took young players under his wing when they arrived at the club. He said that he had heard of cases in Sydney where Lockett had driven 50 kms out of his way to give a young player a lift after training. In Sydney good judges such as Craig Davis considered him an ornament to the game for his promotional work. Sydney recruited him because of the fame he could bring them while he accepted because of the anonymity that Sydney would provide him in return. Lockett himself admitted that he liked Sydney "about 50 times better than he thought he would. He was happy not to get the same media attention that he had received in Melbourne. He was regarded along with his mate Paul Kelly as a perfect role model and was credited with preventing Australian Rules from going downhill in Sydney.
He operated better without the suffocating nature of Melbourne's footy public hanging over him. His weight was not scrutinised the same way in Sydney apart from people saying what a great lock he would have made in rugby league. In the 1996 finals the ongoing saga of "Plugger's Groin" chewed up hundreds of centimetres of editorial space. He missed the first fortnight of the finals series but was on the field for the preliminary final in which he kicked the point after the siren that won the game and ensured entry to the Grand Final. He won his third Coleman Medal in 1996 with 114 goals.
A major reason for his success in Sydney was his rapport with coach Rodney Eade. Groin problems dogged him in the early part of 1997 and Sydney had to ease him into the game. In 12 games he kicked just 37 goals and at times looked extremely restricted. His best in a game was 16 straight against Fitzroy in 1995. He won St Kilda's best and fairest in 1987 and 1991 and won Sydney's in 1995. He was an All-Australian player in 1991 1992 1995 and 1996.
Player profile © The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby and Jim Main
Tony Lockett
Pete Kaz
Saints Hall of Fame memorable moments
My memorable moment of Tony Lockett was his first game back from injury in 1991 at Moorabbin against the Adelaide Crows. Standing in the outer at Moorabbin the place was rocking as Robert Harvey hit Plugger's big chest with a perfect pass within 20 seconds of the opening bounce. Plugger snagged 6 goals in an absolute onslaught in the first quarter. He had an even dozen by three quarter time, running out of gas in the last quarter. A record score looked possible. The Crows were at an absolute loss in how to curtail the big man. The game was also memorable for Nicky Winmar's silky skills.
Pete Kaz
Plugger demolishes Swans
Geoff Caudwell
Saints Hall of Fame memorable moments
My memorable moment was Round 7 1994 Sydney vs St.Kilda SCG
The day is remembered by all as the day Peter Caven collided with Tony Lockett's forearm during the first quarter which resulted in a lengthy suspension for Tony. The Saints had been trailing the Swans all day and even 10 minutes in the last quarter were 48 points behind. The Saints had similar scoring opportunities as the Swans and I turned to my mate and said "we can win this" to which he replied "your joking". At this stage Tony "Plugger" Lockett had kicked 7 goals and even with 9 minutes to go in the game we were still 42 points behind.
In what was one of the greatest comebacks in history the Saints scored 6 goals 1 in those 9 minutes to the Swans nil to snatch victory by one point with Tony kicking another 4 goals in the last quarter to finish with 11 goals for the match. The seconds players and supporters ran on to the ground to congratulate the players.
At the after match function Swans coach Ron Barassi was steaming no doubt about the Peter Caven incident but also that the Swans had lost the match at the hands of Plugger.
Ron Barassi must have been impressed with Tony Lockett's football ability that day as he was instrumental in recruiting Tony to the Swans at the end of 1995.
Geoff Caudwell
Plugger
John O'Callaghan
Saints Hall of Fame memorable moments
Don't know what round or year was but it was at Waverley. Playing West Coast. Plugger was hot and so had 2 on him and one more to fill the gap. The ball was delivered to Nicky about centre. Elvis looked up for his big brother to do his job of finishing off his silky work with a bullocking goal. Plugger tip toed on the spot. His jailers were visibly worried that their prisoner was about to do a Houdini and somehow bust out. He did! At the right moment he exploded into action. He brushed his captors aside, showing them for the inferiors they were. He didn't so much say "Excuse me please" as "Bugger off" and took off in the direction of the ball. The poor bugger in front now looked to me to be about 12 years of age. I don't recall his part in the "contest" but don't remember it as being very effective. My actual memory is that he let Plugger just have it, like the hyena giving up the kill to the lion. After claiming his prize Plugger turned around and calmly and clinically slotted it through. A unique combination of power and grace in one person. I'll never forget it, or him.
John O'Callaghan
Lockett's Magic Ten Goals
Saints Hall of Fame memorable moments
It was round 2 1989 and we were facing the then feared Carlton at Moorabbin. Plugger was playing on the best fullback in the business, what hope had we of a win?. That day I saw Tony Lockett absolutely destroy Silvagni with a magnificent 10 goal haul and to top it all off, Plugger's 10th was the winning goal to get us over the line by 3 points. Gee would I kill for that video to live that moment over and over again. Thanks Plugger. St. Darren
For those of us that saw it on tv :
- who could forget the day he kicked 11 at the scg when we came from 49 points down with approximately 9 minutes to go & beat them by that solitary point.
- or the goal he aimed at the swans "old biddies" behind the goals.
- or the "up yours" arm action directed at them with the clenched fist when he kicked it.
- or the look on Sydney coach Ron Barrassi's face after the final siren.
- the sight of the reserves players & the crowd charging onto the ground to mob the great man.
- or the jubilation of the players, including the great Nicky Winmar.
- or the camera shot of the saints supporter wearing the no 4 windcheater blowing kisses with both hands & tears streaming down his eyes.
- but what i will never forget is that the white maggot had the gall to give Paul Kelly the 3 brownlow votes. Just because Plugger gave Peter Caven a headache & broken jaw was not a good enough reason to take the votes away from the man that single handedly orchestrated the greatest comeback (at the time) in history.
Steve Bradley
Plugger for Hall of Fame
Mark Lane - Signed, Sealed, Sainter
Saints Hall of Fame memorable moments
A good mate of mine and fellow St Kilda supporter had just returned from a period of some years in Europe. As part of my mates induction program back into Melbourne life I took him off to Linton Street one sunny Saturday afternoon to see the mighty saints in action. I'd told him about Plugger and I knew there'd be some action. As it turned out the entire Collingwood backline was to be Plugger's victim that day.
We positioned ourselves behind the goal square at the South Road end with tinny in hand. Plugger was on fire from the time the ball was bounced, charging around bowling people over and cutting a swathe through anything black and white within 50 metres from the goal. Soon after Plugger ran straight out and grabbed the ball at the 50 metre mark and then while running parallel to the goals had a snap. We stood there as the ball went straight over our heads and straight through the middle at goal past height. That was it, my mate now understood why I was so keen to get him down there. This was power football.
We then watched as Plugger kicked 8 for the day and took on and beat the entire Collingwood backline into submission. Plugger just dominated and I remember Leigh Matthew's on the radio on the way home saying he was unstoppable, can't be intimidated and went out and got the first 6 himself! Matthews knew a hard man when he saw one.
That's why I could never be down on Plugger when he left us for the Swans. He'd been absolutely fantastic for St Kilda and I knew he'd be great for the Swans and the AFL in Sydney. It was just such a pleasure to have been there when Plugger was a Saint. Certainly he was the biggest thing to happen at St Kilda on the field in the last 30 years. Thanks Plugger!
Mark Lane - Signed, Sealed, Sainter
Plugger, ten years of memories
I remember the first game I saw Plugger play - no, not his debut at Waverley where he kicked a long set shot against Geelong and immediately received the accolades of Mark "Jacko" Jackson - but in a pre-season game of the same season in 1983, against Richmond, at the MCG.
It was a very warm day at the G, early in March, and a young Plugger had posted a bag of goals, but he was not happy. His team had lost.
I myself was just 14 years of age (only a couple of years younger than the man who would become my hero), and was absolutlely thrilled, along with a bunch of other St Kilda faithful, with being allowed into the rooms after the game. Tony Jewell was laying down the law but, as everyone else seemed to be quietly accepting the words of wrath, I could see that Plugger, while rumaging through a relatively new (and now infamous) Adidas bag, was quietly seething even more than his coach. I could sense, even at that young age, Lockett's determination. He was a champion in the making.
Fast foward ten years, to the last game I saw him play. A memorable 9 goal effort in an elimination final against Geelong (at Waverley again!) in 1992. Again, he was not happy, and despite his effort, and the valiant attempt by St Kilda to win their first final in over twenty years, he was not happy. His team had lost.
Indeed, St Kilda had lost many games in Lockett's time at the club, but the excitement he brought to the game between those two games I saw him play was unmistakable. I, and many St Kilda fans, enjoyed the rocking of the Moorabbin grandstand when he kicked that winning goal against Carlton and Stephen Silvagni, when he notched his 100th against Footscray in his Brownlow year, when he was so instrumental along with Spud, Loewey and Nicky in a huge upset against Hawthorn by less than a kick, when he returned back from injury after missing nearly two months and against Adelaide in the first 30 seconds recieved a lovely pass from Robert Harvey and converted the first of 12 majors for the day, the day we slaughtered Sydney and Brisbane in the last two games at Moorabbin leading to the 1992 finals. It was as if we were heaven. I feel spoilt at having those incredible memories to recall.
Back in Melbourne in some nook of my childhood home I still somewhere possess a dust-covered audio casette with Peter Landy (on 3DB radio, along with Lou Richards) announcing Lockett's debut. Like it was yesterday. I can still hear the dulcet tones of Landy calmly reciting the stats of just another debutant, unaware, like so many of us, the signifcance of this Lockett's arrival to League footy.
Or maybe I was aware, for the resolve in the eyes of a young man back at the G in March '83 was unmistakable, but even then, there is no way one could have envisioned the legend Anthony Lockett would become. I can say, from deep in St Kilda heart, thank you, Plugger, for the memories.
Tom Marvan
San Diego.
Plugger
Mike Davis
Saints Hall of Fame memorable moments
It was about 1992, the Saints were playing West Coast at Moorabbin. I was standing, as I did every week, in the middle of the Animal Enclosure enjoying the humour from the lads up the back.
The ball was in our forward pocket, with Plugger shifting heaven and earth with his endeavours. The umpires whistle blew and play stopped, with a couple of West Coast players (Guy McKenna included) still hanging on to Plugger.
With a none too subtle push he disposed of these annoyances, collecting McKenna to the side of the head (accidentally), knocking him out.
McKenna was carried from the field on a stretcher and as he passed by the Animal Enclosure, a pleading voice (no doubt mindful of the potential suspension awaiting Plugger) yelled from the back- "Get up, get up for godsake. You can sleep on the plane!"
Mike Davis
Elvis and Plugger
Chris
Saints Hall of Fame memorable moments
Nicky and Plugger.
It was a game against Adelaide at Moorabbin, though the year escapes me. Nicky Winmar and Tony Lockett were both returning from injury. In the first minute of the game, as I stood under the windsock with family and friends, Nicky picked up the ball on the wing, switched to his right foot and sent a forty metre pass to Plugger on the lead.
The game's result seemed inevitable from then on. We hadn't seen them together for awhile, but they were back together in a minute, and the electricity was intense. And man, were we the most exciting side in the league then or what.
Chris
Tony Locker 1994
Carolyn McMullen
In 1994 at the SCG St Kilda took on the Swans. Away from home in a state that was not wrapped in our beloved AFL. But I tell you, it was a great day in Sydney for footy, but not for Swan supporters.
Living in Sydney since I was 13 years of age I didn’t get a lot of chances to see my beloved Saints play the game, but at the age of 22 I saw the greatest game ever.
I can’t remember how much we were loosing by but it did look like we were going to lose then in the final quarter Lockett proved to be the champion we had all grown to love. Goal after Goal in the last eight minutes.
I have never screamed so load or banged on that boundry fence so hard.
When that siron sounded and the score put us one point in front was the day I cryed at a footy game.
I love the Saints just as much today as I did all those years ago but no one will ever replace Tony Lockett in my heart.
The boys may not have won their chance at a grand final but to see Lockett, Winmar, Loewe, Burke and Harvey to name a few gave me one of the greatest childhoods you could ask for.
I have been a Saints fan since birth and I will die a Saints fan.
Lockett you are one of the greatest footy players to step out on the grass. I thankyou from the bottom of my heart for giving me such wonderful memories.
Carolyn McMullen
Good ole days
Matthew Turley
My father and I worked at Moorabbin every home game from 1989 to 1990 and I can say the best line I ever heard was when Lockett remarked to Rod Carter, ‘I’m gonna kill you, just like last time’, to with which Rod calmly answered, ‘Tony, you only kicked three on me last time’. Lockett: ‘Oh, it was the time before that.’
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