DARREN MONCRIEFF
Friday, August 12, 2011
WE'VE all imagined lining up a shot on goal ... after the siren ... to win the game ... most likely a grand final ... and most always at a packed MCG with millions more watching live on TV.
While not facing that situation entirely, Sydney's Adam Goodes nevertheless faced a nerve-wracking few seconds against Essendon last round at Etihad Stadium, joining a handful of Aboriginal AFL players to experience the post-siren scenario.
Last Saturday night, Goodes marked just inside the Swans' 50m arc with 15 seconds remaining and his team down by two points.
To his and his side's disappointment, Goodes' post-siren shot sailed wide resulting in his team losing by one point, 15.10 (100) to 14.15 (99).
In 2006 in a round 16 match at Launceston, Daniel Motlop marked strongly for Port Adelaide with 20 seconds remaining and his team five points in arrears against St Kilda.
The siren sounded as Motlop began his run-up, intensifying the pressure. He went back to the top of his run, ran in, took the kick only to watch it sail past the big sticks, which saw his team lose by four points, 8.16 (64) to 8.12 (60).
Salvaging a draw for his team was what confronted former West Coast forward Ashley Sampi in 2003.
The then 19-year-old Sampi marked just before the final siren close to goal on a slight angle in the round 11 match against the Western Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval.
To the delight of the Eagles and a packed house, Sampi kicked the goal, his third, to tie the scores up at 19.10 (124) apiece.
It was a much better result for Peter Burgoyne and Jeff Farmer.
In 2000, Burgoyne got Port Adelaide over the line against Carlton in round 21 with his third goal for the game.
Recalling the game 11 years later, Burgoyne last week told Inside Football how he still gets asked about that kick.
"I remember there were only a few seconds to go. I was standing with (Carlton opponent) Dean Rice and I guess I was in the right place at the right time," Burgoyne said.
"I beat him on the lead, caught the ball and went back and the siren went. I said a few words that I can't repeat. I went back and took a deep breath.
"When it came off the boot it was a bit of a mongrel punt but it pretty much went straight through the middle. I guess at the end of the day that's exciting because it's every kid's dream to kick a goal after the siren in an AFL match. I actually still get people talking about it."
Perhaps the most cruelly ironic of all after-the-siren goals came in 2002 when Fremantle's Jeff Farmer booted his third goal to get the Dockers home against his former side, Melbourne, which he had just left after seven seasons.
The round 8 match at Subiaco Oval came down to Farmer.
Fremantle were one point down when Farmer marked coolly and slotted truly after the siren to win it for the Dockers, 14.10 (94) to 13.11 (89).
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 12/08/2011 15:07