Particulars have emerged of Tony Lockett’s critically elegant act for St Kilda legend Neil Roberts on the membership’s 150-year celebrations on the weekend.
The Saints celebrated 150 years of existence earlier than their Spherical 3 match in opposition to Essendon on the MCG, which they received by 18 factors.
A number of membership icons had been current together with 89-year-old Roberts, who received the 1958 Brownlow Medal and was a part of St Kilda’s final premiership means again in 1966.
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Lockett was there too, as was Nicky Winmar and the household of the late Danny Frawley, whereas Leigh Montagna and Nick Dal Santo had been inducted into St Kilda’s Corridor of Fame.
However Roberts wouldn’t have made it out on to the MCG if it wasn’t for Lockett.
Roberts’ son Michael recounted on Triple M how Lockett went out of his technique to wrap his arms round Roberts, stroll with him from the pre-game operate room by the bowels of the MCG, up the tunnel and onto the sphere for the pre-game ceremony.
“He’s practically 90; the oldest dwelling Brownlow medallist going round,” Michael Roberts stated.
“He was sitting with Carl Ditterich within the room, so he had all of the ’66 boys (1966 St Kilda premiership staff) – it was unbelievable to see them.
“After which ‘Joey’ (Leigh Montagna) had all his mates … and all of the ’80 blokes, so it was generational and actually emotional. And all of the wives and the companions had been there as properly.
“So, the outdated man’s sitting there with Ditterich, and he stated, ‘I’m not taking place on the inexperienced stuff’, after which ‘Plugga’ (Lockett) got here as much as the desk and stated, ‘Sure, you might be’.
“So, the massive fella bodily took him all the way down to the bottom, escorted him up the race … (there are) some superb images – I get emotional interested by it now.”
Lockett’s selfless act for Roberts was captured in some stunning images of the pair strolling up the MCG race collectively.
“I’ve obtained these ceaselessly,” Michael stated.
Roberts practically died in a automobile accident in 1976 when Melbourne legend Ron Barassi’s automobile went right into a tree with Roberts within the passenger seat.
“It was unbelievable to see the outdated boy on the market,” Michael stated.
“He’s on a strolling stick. The Barassi accident practically killed each of them again in ’76 – they hit an elm tree at 100 miles an hour, however I’ve by no means heard the outdated man complain as soon as.
“He had 12 breaks in his ankle and did his hip, and he bodily can’t get round like he used to and shuffles round.
“However for Lockett to try this was excessive reward for each of them.”
Montagna stated Roberts is likely to be frail however he was sharp as ever at St Kilda’s 150-year celebrations.
He stated: “Robbo’s dad is likely to be practically 90 and struggling bodily, however he’s nonetheless sharp as a tack and he nonetheless had the room in stitches, as a result of he obtained up, Neil Roberts, to raise Invoice Mohr (to legend standing) – they name Invoice Mohr the Tony Lockett of the ‘30s.
“And Neil obtained to talk about him and he was fairly entertaining nonetheless, Neil. He nonetheless had the room in raptures.”
Lockett kicked 1360 targets in 281 video games for St Kilda and Sydney, received 4 Coleman Medals and claimed the Brownlow Medal in 1987.
The VFL/AFL’s all-time main goalkicker has hardly ever been seen in recent times other than when he was elevated to AFL Legend standing in 2015 and a quick assistant teaching stint with the Sydney Swans.
St Kilda have the longest premiership drought within the AFL however are undefeated and on prime of the ladder after three rounds below returning coach Ross Lyon.
Initially printed as AFL icon Tony Lockett’s selfless act for St Kilda legend is pure class
