Appearing at his first Club event in several years, former Saint and AFL goal kicking champion Tony Lockett was given a standing ovation in front over 900 people at Crown Palladium after being elevated to Legend status at the St Kilda Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

In his humble acceptance speech, Lockett said he had nothing but the best memories of his 11 years at the Saints and was glad to be ‘home’. Thanking the loyal St Kilda faithful for their support during his career, Lockett added he was still amazed at the unwavering support showed by Saints fans while playing at Moorabbin.

''I can remember playing there in the goalsquare. At three-quarter-time, when the scores were level or close, that crowd at Moorabbin was just something you had to be out on the ground to witness. That was just football, it was just something you had at Moorabbin that was unique. It was something (the crowd) that could get you over the line.”

In a show of remarkable respect, former greats of the game including Kevin Bartlett, Robert Walls, Brian Taylor, Jason Dunstall and Robert Harvey, all paid tribute to ‘Plugger’ in a DVD congratulating the champion full forward, which was shown to the almost capacity full room at Crown.

“He had an amazing ability, so quick, so big, great mark, great kick and at the same time could stick up for himself” said Kevin Bartlett.

Robert Walls added, “He was just unbelievably good and he was scary. He was all those things, particularly when you played down at Moorabbin. In the early days when I played down there, if Carl didn’t get you, ‘Cowboy’ would, but then of course Plugger came along and he just terrified everybody, he was a wonderful player.

I’ll never forget the day I coached down there and he played on Stephen Silvagni - full back of the century. He kicked 10 on SOS and I kept SOS there because if anybody else had have been on him, he would have kicked 15.”

From one Club champion to another, former Saint Robert Harvey also congratulated Lockett on his elevation to Legend status and acknowledged the fond memories he had during his playing days alongside Lockett.

“It was an absolute privilege to play with you over a few years and some of those early days at Moorabbin are the days that I will never forget. The supporters, the noise they made when you came out of the goalsquare, was just something I will never forget” Harvey said.

To see all the behind the scenes content from the 2010 St Kilda Hall of Fame, be sure to connect with the Saints social media network. If you’re not yet involved in the Saints social media network, become a Facebook fan or follow us on Twitter now by clicking on one of the buttons below.