Tweet
Lockett, Cresswell treasure jumpers
3:27:25 PM Tue 12 August, 2003
Karen Collins
afl.com.au
Related Content:
Hear from members of the team
It was an emotional night for 26 Sydney Swans legends ? and their families - when they were handed the jumper for being selected in the Swans? Team of the Century last Friday night.
While one recipient was grateful for his rebirth, the tribute may inspire another to postpone the end of his football career.
The only current player in the team, Daryn Cresswell, confessed he may play on next year despite announcing his retirement earlier at the start of the season, admitting the selection meant a ?hell of a lot? to him given the history of the club.
?I was actually outside as the young guys (at Sydney) are doing a story on tonight and I was outside getting interviewed by them and I opened the door and heard my name,? Cresswell told afl.com.au
?It was a bit of a shock, but good shock.
?65 players (who were nominated) have been great servants of our club over 100 years, so to get picked it just unbelievable, it?s phenomenal I can?t believe it.
?I haven?t made a decision on (retiring) but we will just have to wait and see what happens.
?(My wife) wants me to stay on and she?s the boss so it might be a good chance.?
The most popular choice of the night went to full-forward Tony Lockett, who received a standing ovation upon the announcement - to cheers of ?Plugger? - and he talked how then club chief executive Ron Joseph changed his life.
?At the end of 1994 I had two choices; I either hang them up or start somewhere new and thank Christ this club threw a lifeline to me,? Lockett said.
?He (Joseph) arrived that early one day he still had slippers on but Ronny I think he was around three or four days in a row there and he drove me mad.
?In the end of the day I ended up signing with the club (and) I am very grateful because I have made some silly decisions in my life but I have made some good ones and I think that was one of the best ones.?
Lockett broke the AFL?s all-time goal kicking record while playing with Sydney and took the Swans to their first grand final since 1945 with his post-siren behind in a preliminary final against Essendon in 1996.
?I get asked a lot if I have any memorable goals, and I say yeah I have quite a few memorable goals,? Lockett said.
?But there is one kick out of 20 years of footy that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life it was kicking that point to get us into the grand final.
?(It was better than breaking Gordon Coventry?s 1299 goal record) every day of the week.?
?But this means everything to me, to be standing here receiving this jumper with the other players who have been named it is certainly one of the biggest thrills of my football career.?
3:27:25 PM Tue 12 August, 2003
Karen Collins
afl.com.au
Related Content:
Hear from members of the team
It was an emotional night for 26 Sydney Swans legends ? and their families - when they were handed the jumper for being selected in the Swans? Team of the Century last Friday night.
While one recipient was grateful for his rebirth, the tribute may inspire another to postpone the end of his football career.
The only current player in the team, Daryn Cresswell, confessed he may play on next year despite announcing his retirement earlier at the start of the season, admitting the selection meant a ?hell of a lot? to him given the history of the club.
?I was actually outside as the young guys (at Sydney) are doing a story on tonight and I was outside getting interviewed by them and I opened the door and heard my name,? Cresswell told afl.com.au
?It was a bit of a shock, but good shock.
?65 players (who were nominated) have been great servants of our club over 100 years, so to get picked it just unbelievable, it?s phenomenal I can?t believe it.
?I haven?t made a decision on (retiring) but we will just have to wait and see what happens.
?(My wife) wants me to stay on and she?s the boss so it might be a good chance.?
The most popular choice of the night went to full-forward Tony Lockett, who received a standing ovation upon the announcement - to cheers of ?Plugger? - and he talked how then club chief executive Ron Joseph changed his life.
?At the end of 1994 I had two choices; I either hang them up or start somewhere new and thank Christ this club threw a lifeline to me,? Lockett said.
?He (Joseph) arrived that early one day he still had slippers on but Ronny I think he was around three or four days in a row there and he drove me mad.
?In the end of the day I ended up signing with the club (and) I am very grateful because I have made some silly decisions in my life but I have made some good ones and I think that was one of the best ones.?
Lockett broke the AFL?s all-time goal kicking record while playing with Sydney and took the Swans to their first grand final since 1945 with his post-siren behind in a preliminary final against Essendon in 1996.
?I get asked a lot if I have any memorable goals, and I say yeah I have quite a few memorable goals,? Lockett said.
?But there is one kick out of 20 years of footy that I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life it was kicking that point to get us into the grand final.
?(It was better than breaking Gordon Coventry?s 1299 goal record) every day of the week.?
?But this means everything to me, to be standing here receiving this jumper with the other players who have been named it is certainly one of the biggest thrills of my football career.?
Comment