Tony Lockett: Australian Football
Anthony Howard “Tony” Lockett (born 9 March 1966) is a former Australian rules footballer who represented St Kilda from 1983 to 1994 and Sydney from 1995 to 1999 and 2002. He is the highest goal scorer in the history of AFL/VFL history scoring 1,360 goals in his 281 career games. Lockett was massively built at 191cm and 112 kg. He first played at the Under 12s team of his father’s club, North Ballarat Football Club. He later played five senior games as a 16-year-oldin 1982 with North Ballarat before St Kilda recruited him.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Tony Lockett received many accomplishments and awards during his professional playing career. He is a recipient of the Brownlow Medal in 1987, Leigh Matthews Trophy in 1987, E.J. Whitten Medal in 1995, four-time Coleman Medal, two-time St Kilda best and fairest and Sydney best and fairest. Lockett was a part of the All-Australian team five times with Sydney. He broke Gordon Coventry’s 1,299 goals during the 1999 season where he kicked his 1,300 goal. He was inducted to St Kilda and Sydney Swans’ Team of the Century in 2001 and 2003 respectively. He was inducted into the North Ballarat Football Club Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2006, Tony Lockett was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and in 2015, he was elevated to “Legend” status.
Why Was He So Good?
Tony Locket has an excellent on-field presence and he is considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of football. He combined fiery speed over the first few meters with remarkable physical power he moved himself into front position to take mark after mark. He possessed immense physical power, more than any defenders had encountered or could handle with. He also acquired skills not frequently seen in big men during his era. Lockett had a wide armory of subtle yet great talents.
What You May Not Know
- Tony Lockett kicked 127 goals in 17 games for St Kilda in 1991, setting records for goals per game.
He played 120 junior games for North Ballarat. - His father also played Australian Rules football.
- Tony’s nickname “Plugger” was from his father who used to “plug around” in the garden.
- The New South Wales Primary Schools Sports Association Australian Football competition is named the Tony Lockett Shield.
Was he a legend?
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Related Pages
- More Australian Football legendary players
- Athlete Database home
- About the sport of Australian Football
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