View source for Tony Lockett

{{Short description|Australian rules footballer (born 1966)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Tony Lockett
| image = 
| fullname = Anthony Lockett
| nickname = "Plugger"
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|3|9|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Ballarat]], Victoria
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| originalteam = [[North Ballarat Roosters|North Ballarat]] ([[Ballarat Football League|BFL]])
| height = 191&nbsp;cm
| weight = 112&nbsp;kg
| position = [[Full-forward]]
| statsend = 2002
| years1 = 1983–1994
| club1 = {{AFL Stk}}
| games_goals1 = 183 {{0}}(898)
| years2 = 1995–1999, 2002
| club2 = {{AFL Syd}}
| games_goals2 = {{0}}98 {{0}}(462)
| games_goalstotal = 281 (1360)
| sooteam1 = [[Victoria Australian rules football team|Victoria]]
| soogames_goals1 = 5 (19)
| careerhighlights = '''Club'''
*[[VFL/AFL_goalkicking_records#Most_VFL/AFL_goals|Most goals scored by an individual in the VFL/AFL]]: 1,360
*[[Brownlow Medal]]: ([[1987 Brownlow Medal|1987]])
*4× [[Coleman Medal]]: (1987, 1991, 1996, 1998)
*10× [[List_of_St_Kilda_Football_Club_leading_goalkickers|St Kilda leading goalkicker]]: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
*5× [[List_of_South_Melbourne_Football_Club/Sydney_Swans_leading_goalkickers|Sydney leading goalkicker]]: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
*2× [[Trevor Barker Award|St Kilda Best & Fairest]]: (1987, 1991)
* [[Bob Skilton Medal]]: (1995)
* [[Leigh Matthews Trophy|VFLPA MVP]]: (1987)
*5× [[All-Australian team]]: (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1998)
* [[E. J. Whitten Medal]]: (1995)
* [[Australian Football Hall of Fame]], inducted 2006, Legend status 2015
* [[Sydney Swans#Team of the century|Sydney Team of the Century]] – <small>Full-forward</small>
* [[St_Kilda_Football_Club#Team_of_the_century|St Kilda Team of the Century]] – <small>Full-forward</small>
}}

'''Anthony Howard Lockett''' (born 9 March 1966) is a former [[Australian rules football]]er who played for the [[St Kilda Football Club]] and [[Sydney Swans]] in the [[Australian Football League]] (AFL). Nicknamed "'''Plugger'''", he played as a [[full forward|full-forward]] and holds the VFL/AFL record for career goals, scoring 1,360 goals in total.

Inducted into the [[Australian Football Hall of Fame]] in 2006 and upgraded to [[Australian Football Hall of Fame#Legends|Legend]] status in 2015, he is the [[List of VFL/AFL players to have kicked 500 goals|most prolific goalkicker]] in VFL/AFL history, breaking [[Gordon Coventry]]'s 62-year record in [[1999 AFL season|1999]] with his 1300th goal and eventually finishing with 1,360 goals from 281 games. He became the first full-forward to be awarded the [[Brownlow Medal]] (achieved in [[1987 VFL season|1987]]), won the [[Coleman Medal]] four times, and kicked more than 100 goals in a season on six occasions (an AFL record he shares with [[Jason Dunstall]] of Hawthorn).

While Lockett's accomplishments and statistics support his status as an Australian football hero, his individual influence on St. Kilda and Sydney is also noteworthy. He arrived at St Kilda when the club was in the doldrums and became the man on whose shoulders the club's fortunes depended. Similarly, when he moved to Sydney in 1995, the Swans were struggling both on and off the field; they had finished bottom of the ladder in [[1994 AFL season|1994]] and were battling to stay relevant in the heart of [[rugby league]] territory. After kicking more than 100 goals three times in four seasons and famously booting a point to send Sydney into the [[1996 AFL Grand Final]], Lockett helped to ensure Australian rules football would have a lasting future in the Harbour City.

Lockett's achievements are all the more remarkable given the significant chunks of time he missed through injury and suspension. Besides suffering from chronic [[asthma]], he struggled to maintain his weight (which fluctuated from 95 to 112&nbsp;kg over the years, according to listings in [[AFL Record]]s) and required painkillers to manage the ongoing effects of a torn groin muscle.<ref name="six"/> Lockett was not afraid to use his size and strength to unsettle opponents, but his aggression also resulted in him being frequently reported for striking and rough conduct. He appeared before the [[AFL Tribunal]] 16 times over his career and was suspended for a total of 23 matches.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lockett becomes a Legend|publisher=[[Sydney Swans]]|date=4 June 2015|first=Ashley|last=Browne|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/140155/lockett-becomes-a-legend}}</ref>

==Early life==
Born in the western [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]n town of [[Ballarat]] to Howard Lockett, a local football champion who would later be inducted in the [[North Ballarat Football Club]] Hall of Fame,<ref>{{cite web |title=2006 – Howard Lockett |url=http://theroosters.com.au/Display.php?TableName=history_cat&ID=22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721190112/http://theroosters.com.au/Display.php?TableName=history_cat&ID=22 |archive-date=21 July 2008 |website=North Ballarat Football Club}}</ref> and Liz,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&docID=news990605_0001_9570 |title=The Saint who became ... Sydney's Saviour |first=Peter |last=Davis |date=4 June 1999 |work=[[Illawarra Mercury]]|access-date=8 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810214140/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&docID=news990605_0001_9570 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Lockett is one of three siblings, with a brother (Neil) and a sister (Di).<ref name="nolan">{{cite news|work=[[The Courier (Ballarat)|The Courier]]|title=Tony Lockett officially named AFL 'legend'|url=https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3129162/magical-night-for-ballarats-plugger/|first=Pat|last=Nolan|date=5 June 2015}}</ref> Lockett's passion for greyhound racing can be traced to his grandfather Charlie, who supplied pacemakers for the local greyhound racing club<ref>[https://gcv.org.au/locations/ballarat Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club]</ref> and was a club committeeman at North Ballarat.<ref name="nolan"/>

Lockett was educated at [[Ballarat Secondary College]] and [[Ballarat Grammar School]], and began playing Australian football with the Under-12s team of his father's club, North Ballarat Football Club, in 1974. He played a total of 120 junior games with the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theroosters.com.au/Hall-of-Fame/tony-lockett.html |title=Official Website of the Selkirk North Ballarat Roosters – Tony Lockett &#124; Hall of Fame |access-date=2012-07-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731044025/http://www.theroosters.com.au/Hall-of-Fame/tony-lockett.html |archive-date=31 July 2012 }}</ref> He had played just five senior games as a 16-year-old in 1982 with North Ballarat before he was recruited by St Kilda, since Ballarat was part of the club's [[Zoning (Australian rules football)|recruiting zone]].

==VFL/AFL career==

===St Kilda: 1983–1994===
==== 1983–1986 ====
When Lockett arrived at St Kilda in [[1983 VFL season|1983]], the club was going through a period of decline on and off the field; in his first four seasons at Moorabbin, the Saints would finish at the bottom of the ladder. As a teenager coming out of Ballarat for the first time, Lockett was constantly homesick in his early years and eventually St Kilda conceded to his desire to travel from home when required.<ref name="six">{{cite news|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Russell|last=Jackson|title=The Joy of Six: Tony Lockett|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/jul/01/the-joy-of-six-tony-lockett|date=1 July 2014}}</ref><br> 
Lockett made his senior VFL debut in Round 4 against {{AFL Gee}} at [[Waverley Park|VFL Park]]. There was a high degree of controversy surrounding this game since the Saints, after seeking legal advice, decided to include {{AFL Syd}}'s [[Paul Morwood]] in their line-up without a clearance from the Swans or a permit from the League. According to the rules at the time, if the Saints had won, they would have risked forfeiting the premiership points.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116379436 |title=AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL Saints risk Points by defying VFL rules |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=57 |issue=17,367 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=17 April 1983 |accessdate=15 June 2021 |page=1 (SPORT) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> As it turned out, they went down in a spirited effort by 11 points. Lockett joined a special group of VFL/AFL players when he [[List of VFL/AFL players to have scored a goal with their first kick|goaled with his first kick]], but had an otherwise quiet debut with only five disposals and four marks.<br> 
Lockett was supposed to be understudy to the enigmatic [[Mark Jackson (Australian footballer)|Mark Jackson]], whom the Saints had brought in from {{AFL Mel}} on a three-year contract. But after Jackson was sacked mid-season, Lockett was given the role and finished the season with a modest return of 19 goals in 12 games.

In the opening game of [[1984 VFL season|1984]], the Saints were up against the previous season's runner-up {{AFL Ess}} at Moorabbin. starting up at full forward, Lockett matched his Essendon counterpart [[Paul Salmon]] goal for goal in an entertaining game which the Bombers won by 37 points after a tight first half. Both Lockett and Salmon would end up with seven goals. Lockett showed a glimpse of his explosive best in the third quarter when he kicked three goals in a four-minute spell, and beat a succession of opponents to be considered the Saints' best player.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125000485 |title=Bombers struggle to overcome Saints |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=58 |issue=17,717 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=1 April 1984 |accessdate=16 June 2021 |page=29 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

Lockett was now recognised as one of the VFL's star forwards, and teams were trying to find players who could physically match him. In St Kilda's opening game of the [[1986 VFL season]] against {{AFL Foo}} at [[Western Oval]], Lockett was reported by four umpires for striking Bulldogs captain [[Rick Kennedy]] during the third quarter. Lockett pleaded guilty to the charge, claiming he had been provoked, and was suspended for two matches.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118194907 |title=Lockett claims provocation – 'Saint' is told to sit out two |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=60 |issue=18,445 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=2 April 1986 |accessdate=16 June 2021 |page=40 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

==== 1987–1990 ====
St Kilda's fortunes were finally about to turn when premiership captain [[Darrel Baldock]] was appointed coach for [[1987 VFL season|1987]] while still serving in the [[Parliament of Tasmania]]. He appointed [[Danny Frawley]] captain, having identified leadership qualities in the then 23-year-old full back, gave regular game time to newcomers [[Nathan Burke]] and [[Nicky Winmar]], who would become club stalwarts for the following decade, and set about improving the general skill level of the playing group. Under Baldock's guidance, Lockett had a career-best season, tying for the Brownlow Medal with [[John Platten]].

==== 1991–1992 ====
In the first half of the pre-season match against {{AFL WC}} in February 1991, Lockett was sprinting to contest for a loose ball when West Coast's [[Steve Malaxos]], who was also running for the ball, collided with Lockett and made contact with his lower back, resulting in a cracked vertebra.<ref>Piesse & Lockett (1992), p.12</ref> Lockett limped off the ground gingerly and was sent to hospital for x-rays at half time. He was initially diagnosed as having suffered a "badly bruised back".<ref name="badback">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129098339 |title=Lockett's injury won't keep him out of game |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=65 |issue=20,400 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=18 February 1991 |accessdate=21 September 2022 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> According to champion Hawthorn full-forward [[Peter Hudson]], who was St Kilda's club manager at the time, it was expected that Lockett would return for the following pre-season game.<ref name="badback"/> However, the misdiagnosed injury would sideline Lockett for the first six rounds of the [[1991 AFL season]].<br>
In Round 7 the Saints played League newcomers {{AFL Ade}} at Moorabbin. At the time St Kilda was ninth on the ladder, having played five matches for two wins and one draw. Boosted by the return of Lockett and [[Nicky Winmar]] (who was back after serving a 10-match suspension from the previous season), the signs were ominous early when, from the opening bounce, star midfielder [[Robert Harvey (footballer)|Robert Harvey]] collected the ball out of the centre and found Lockett with a well-weighted pass. Lockett converted from the set shot, and thereafter, with a full-capacity crowd of over 25,000 spectators cheering them on, St Kilda went on a scoring rampage. Lockett added a further three goals for the quarter, and had nine to his name by half time.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122360237 |title=Saints go on record rampage |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=65 |issue=20,476 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=5 May 1991 |accessdate=21 September 2022 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The Saints increased their lead at each change, eventually winning by 131 points and breaking the previous club record for greatest winning margin. Lockett finished the game with 12 goals, and the percentage-boosting win lifted St Kilda to fifth on the ladder.<br>
Lockett backed up his spectacular return with ten goals the following week against {{AFL BB}} (he had seven goals by half time)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122362356 |title=Ten to Lockett in demolition |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=65 |issue=20,484 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=13 May 1991 |accessdate=21 September 2022 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and another haul of 12 goals against {{AFL Syd}} (in which he kicked St Kilda's first five goals)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122364017 |title=Lockett makes up for five lost matches |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=65 |issue=20,491 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=20 May 1991 |accessdate=21 September 2022 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> to take his overall tally to a remarkable 34 goals in three games. In the Round 10 match against {{AFL Ess}}, however, before the biggest home crowd at Moorabbin since [[1981 VFL season|1981]], St Kilda suffered stage fright, conceding a 44-point lead at quarter time and eventually losing by 28 points.<ref name=Ess1991>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122365517 |title=Bombers leave St Kilda shell-shocked |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=65 |issue=20,497 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=26 May 1991 |accessdate=21 September 2022 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Essendon coach [[Kevin Sheedy (Australian footballer)|Kevin Sheedy]] sacrificed an extra player in defence to cut off the supply to Lockett (who only managed four goals), while the Bombers' team pressure and discipline also contributed significantly to the win.<ref name=Ess1991/><br>  
St Kilda rebounded strongly in Round 11, putting in a superb second-half display to beat {{AFL Haw}} at [[Princes Park (stadium)|Princes Park]] for the first time at that venue since [[1976 VFL season|1976]]. Lockett kicked seven goals for the game to again be among the Saints' best players, but was afterwards cited by video for two incidents – clashing heavily with Hawks ruckman [[Stephen Lawrence (footballer)|Stephen Lawrence]] in the first quarter and later with [[Greg Madigan]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118148016 |title=Lockett faces action |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=4 June 1991 |accessdate=21 September 2022 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> However, no further action was taken and Lockett was cleared to play.<br>
In Round 23 St Kilda confirmed its place in the [[1991 AFL finals series]] with a 120-point thrashing of Brisbane at Moorabbin, marking the club's first finals appearance since [[1973 VFL season|1973]]. Lockett sat out the game, having been ill with influenza and warned by the club's medical staff that playing could trigger an asthma attack.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122379945 |title=St Kilda in finals for first time in 17 years|newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=65 |issue=20,588 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=25 August 1991 |accessdate=21 September 2022 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><br>
In the Elimination final against Geelong, he kicked nine goals and five behinds, although the Saints were beaten by seven points.

In [[1992 AFL season|1992]], he kicked the most goals that season, with 132 goals. He was described by dual Brownlow medallist [[Robert Harvey (footballer)|Robert Harvey]] as the best player he had ever seen.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/sport/off-to-greener-pastures-sometimes-20100929-15xen.html|title=Off to greener pastures (sometimes)|date=30 September 2010|first=Mark|last=Hawthorne|access-date=24 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808181901/http://www.theage.com.au/sport/off-to-greener-pastures-sometimes-20100929-15xen.html|archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 1993–1994 ====
After the highs of personal glory and reaching the finals in 1991 and 1992, there followed two difficult seasons, which would turn out to be Lockett's last ones at the Saints, marred by long absences due to injury and suspension.

After kicking five goals in the loss to Hawthorn in the opening round of the [[1994 AFL season]], Lockett started well against North Melbourne in the Round 2 clash at the MCG, kicking three quick goals, only to suffer a corked right calf muscle shortly afterward. With Lockett unable to return after quarter time, and [[Stewart Loewe]] already absent with a groin injury, the Saints lacked a key target in attack and the Kangaroos won easily by 69 points.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118111006 |title=Demons' first-term blitz crushes Hawks |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=68 |issue=21,536 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=3 April 1994 |accessdate=16 June 2021 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Lockett would end up missing the next four weeks, during which the Saints won only one game.

Few games better encapsulated Lockett's enigmatic nature than his return in the Round 7 match against {{AFL Syd}} at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]]. In the first quarter, Swans defender [[Peter Caven]] was sprinting back to take an intercept mark when Lockett, who was charging towards the ball, appeared to hit him in the face with a raised elbow. Caven was knocked unconscious with a compound fracture of the nose and immediately taken to St Vincent's Hospital for surgery,<ref name=swansgiveuplead>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118210526 |title=SPORT – Swans give up 51-point lead|newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=69 |issue=21,572 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=9 May 1994 |accessdate=6 March 2022 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> ruling him out of action for 12 weeks.<ref name=elevengoals>{{cite web|first=Michael|last=Ryan|publisher=[[St Kilda Football Club]]|title=On This Day: 'Plugger' Lockett's 11 sinks Swans|url=https://www.saints.com.au/news/25932/on-this-day-plugger-locketts-11-sinks-swans|date=8 May 2019}}</ref> Lockett was subjected to abuse by Sydney supporters for the remainder of the game,<ref name=elevengoals/> but it appeared to have little effect on him. The Swans responded on the scoreboard, at one stage leading by 51 points in the third quarter; only Lockett's seven goals up to three-quarter time had kept an inept-looking St Kilda in the contest. The Saints still trailed by 41 points halfway through the final term before they finally clicked, kicking seven unanswered goals (Lockett kicking the last three in the final three minutes) to snatch a one-point win. After kicking his eleventh goal to put the Saints in front, Lockett responded to the taunts of the Sydney cheer squad with an "up yours" gesture.<ref name=elevengoals/><br>
Lockett was not reported by any umpires for his hit on Caven, but subsequent review of the video footage by AFL officials on the Tuesday following the game resulted in Lockett being charged not just for the incident with Caven, but also for kneeing [[Daryn Cresswell]] in the head.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118210804 |title=Lockett charged with striking, kneeing |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=69 |issue=21,574 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=11 May 1994 |accessdate=7 March 2022 |page=36 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In his appearance before the Tribunal, Lockett pleaded not guilty, stating that he was sorry for injuring Caven and had not done so intentionally. He added that he had only seen Caven a split second before impact, raising his elbow in self-defence.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118211022 |title=Lockett out for eight matches |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=69 |issue=21,575 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=12 May 1994 |accessdate=7 March 2022 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Nonetheless, Lockett was found guilty of striking and suspended for eight weeks.

Lockett would not play again until Round 17 against North Melbourne at Waverley Park, a 61-point loss in which he was held to two goals by [[Mick Martyn (Australian footballer)|Mick Martyn]], one of the few full-backs capable of matching Lockett. By this stage of the season, the Saints were out of finals contention, sitting second-last on the ladder with the worst percentage in the League. Lockett did not take long to rediscover form, kicking 28 goals in a four-game stretch before being ruled out of the final game of the season against {{AFL Fit}} with a back injury.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118135720 |title=Bombers dispose of favourites |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=70 |issue=21,690 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=4 September 1994 |accessdate=7 March 2022 |page=15 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He ended the season with 56 goals, which was a slight improvement from his return the previous season.

===Sydney: 1995–1999, 2002===
In 1995, Lockett transferred to the [[Sydney Swans]], where he played for another six seasons. He was an instant success with the Swans, helping the team into the 1996 finals series and subsequently into the [[1996 AFL Grand Final]]. 
With scores tied in the preliminary final game, Lockett famously [[Kicks after the siren in Australian rules football|kicked a point after the siren]] against Essendon to give Sydney a one-point victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfSpjX82Ij8|title=AFL- Tony Lockett kicks a behind after siren to win|last=AFLGreatestSport|date=3 September 2011|via=YouTube|access-date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921121439/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfSpjX82Ij8&gl=US&hl=en|archive-date=21 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite a groin injury, he played in the grand final, which the Swans lost to North Melbourne. It was the only grand final appearance of Lockett's career.

Lockett's career-best goal-scoring performance came in Round 19, 1995, against [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]] at the [[Western Oval]], when he scored 16 goals straight.

Lockett became a cult figure in Sydney. He was a massive drawcard for the struggling Sydney Swans, who had previously found it difficult to attract large support in New South Wales's rugby league heartland. At the height of his popularity, the song "[[One Tony Lockett]]" was released (sung to the tune of "[[Guantanamera]]"), performed by [[James Freud]].

In 1996, Lockett was the subject of much hype in the clash between [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] and Sydney in which [[Gary Ablett Sr.]] was playing at the other end of the ground.  The match was billed by the media as ''Plugger'' vs ''God'' and set a ground record attendance at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]]. He broke the [[List of VFL/AFL records|record]] of 1,299 career goals (set by [[Gordon Coventry]]) at the SCG in 1999 and sparked one of the biggest [[pitch invasion]]s seen in Australian rules football.

Lockett retired at the end of 1999 but had a brief comeback in 2002, playing three games and adding three goals to his record for a grand total of 1,360 career goals.

===State of Origin===
Lockett played five [[Interstate matches in Australian rules football|State of Origin]] games for [[Victoria Australian rules football team|Victoria]], kicking 19 goals in those games. In his State of Origin debut in 1985 against [[Western Australia Australian rules football team|Western Australia]], Lockett kicked one goal. He was selected in 1987 against [[South Australia Australian rules football team|South Australia]], and again kicked one goal. In 1989, he kicked five goals in a notable game against South Australia at the MCG.<ref name="auto">{{Citation|last=SAfootballarchive|title=1989 State of Origin Victoria 22.17.149 d South Australia 9.9.63|date=2012-03-06|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOoubSqxb7s|access-date=2016-02-28}}</ref> He again kicked five goals against Western Australia in 1992. His final interstate match came in 1995 against South Australia, kicking seven goals and winning the [[E. J. Whitten Medal]].<ref name="auto1">{{Citation|last=SAfootballarchive|title=1995 State of Origin Victoria 18.12.120 d South Australia 8.9.57 (Ted Whitten Farewell game)|date=2012-03-06|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsIhZVUOj_Y|access-date=2016-02-28}}</ref> Lockett is known as a big supporter of State of Origin<ref name="auto"/> and said after he won the E. J. Whitten Medal that "to win this medal will probably go down as one of the happiest days of my life, and I'll treasure it forever".<ref name="auto1"/>

==Statistics==
:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/T/Tony_Lockett.html|title=AFL Tables – Tony Lockett – Stats – Statistics|website=afltables.com|access-date=11 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814002533/http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/T/Tony_Lockett.html|archive-date=14 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{AFL player statistics legend}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|style="background:#CFECEC; width:1em"|
|Led the league for the season only
|-
|style="background:#b7e718; width:1em"|
|Led the league after finals only
|-
|style="background:#DD6E81; width:1em"|
|Led the league after season and finals
|}
{{AFL player statistics start}}
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1983 VFL season|1983]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 37 || 12 || 19 || 17 || 76 || 26 || 102 || 44 || {{n/a}} || 1.6 || 1.4 || 6.3 || 2.2 || 8.5 || 3.7 || {{n/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1984 VFL season|1984]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 14 || 20 || 77 || 44 || 146 || 19 || 165 || 108 || {{n/a}} || 3.9 || 2.2 || 7.3 || 1.0 || 8.3 || 5.4 || {{n/a}}
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1985 VFL season|1985]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 14 || 21 || 79 || 22 || 146 || 32 || 178 || 112 || {{n/a}} || 3.8 || 1.0 || 7.0 || 1.5 || 8.5 || 5.3 || {{n/a}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1986 VFL season|1986]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 14 || 18 || 60 || 29 || 119 || 36 || 155 || 85 || {{n/a}} || 3.3 || 1.6 || 6.6 || 2.0 || 8.6 || 4.7 || {{n/a}}
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1987 VFL season|1987]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 14 || 22 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''117''' || 52 || 226 || 49 || 275 || 164 || 16 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''5.3''' || 2.4 || 10.3 || 2.2 || 12.5 || 7.5 || 0.7
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1988 VFL season|1988]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 4 || 8 || 35 || 19 || 65 || 19 || 84 || 44 || 6 || 4.4 || 2.4 || 8.1 || 2.4 || 10.5 || 5.5 || 0.8
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1989 VFL season|1989]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 4 || 11 || 78 || 24 || 122 || 18 || 140 || 92 || 5 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''7.1''' || 2.2 || 11.1 || 1.6 || 12.7 || 8.4 || 0.5
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1990 AFL season|1990]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 4 || 12 || 65 || 34 || 112 || 16 || 128 || 84 || 11 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''5.4''' || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''2.8''' || 9.3 || 1.3 || 10.7 || 7.0 || 0.9
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1991 AFL season|1991]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 4 || 17 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''127''' || 51 || 190 || 33 || 223 || 140 || 7 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''7.5''' || 3.0 || 11.2 || 1.9 || 13.1 || 8.2 || 0.4
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1992 AFL season|1992]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 4 || 22 || 132 || 58 || 214 || 30 || 244 || 157 || 12 || 6.0 || 2.6 || 9.7 || 1.4 || 11.1 || 7.1 || 0.5
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1993 AFL season|1993]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 4 || 10 || 53 || 12 || 85 || 26 || 111 || 63 || 7 || 5.3 || 1.2 || 8.5 || 2.6 || 11.1 || 6.3 || 0.7
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1994 AFL season|1994]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL StK}}
| 4 || 10 || 56 || 26 || 100 || 16 || 116 || 76 || 7 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''5.6''' || 2.6 || 10.0 || 1.6 || 11.6 || 7.6 || 0.7
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1995 AFL season|1995]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 4 || 19 || 110 || 44 || 176 || 42 || 218 || 139 || 16 || bgcolor="b7e718"| '''5.8''' || 2.3 || 9.3 || 2.2 || 11.5 || 7.3 || 0.8
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1996 AFL season|1996]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 4 || 22 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''121''' || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''63''' || 212 || 45 || 257 || 168 || 21 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''5.5''' || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''2.9''' || 9.6 || 2.0 || 11.7 || 7.6 || 1.0
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1997 AFL season|1997]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 4 || 12 || 37 || 21 || 65 || 23 || 88 || 50 || 7 || 3.1 || 1.8 || 5.4 || 1.9 || 7.3 || 4.2 || 0.6
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1998 AFL season|1998]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 4 || 23 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''109''' || 36 || 167 || 41 || 208 || 121 || 9 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''4.7''' || 1.6 || 7.3 || 1.8 || 9.0 || 5.3 || 0.4
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[1999 AFL season|1999]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 4 || 19 || 82 || 38 || 141 || 27 || 168 || 112 || 15 || bgcolor="DD6E81"| '''4.3''' || 2.0 || 7.4 || 1.4 || 8.8 || 5.9 || 0.8
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | [[2002 AFL season|2002]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Syd}}
| 46 || 3 || 3 || 0 || 5 || 2 || 7 || 1 || 3 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 1.7 || 0.7 || 2.3 || 0.3 || 1.0
|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=3| Career
! 281
! 1360
! 590
! 2367
! 500
! 2867
! 1760
! 142
! 4.8
! 2.1
! 8.4
! 1.8
! 10.2
! 6.3
! 0.7
|}

==Life outside football==
During his time at St Kilda, Lockett resented the attention that came with his superstar status in Victorian football, and was well known for his distrust of the media. In one particularly famous incident in 1988, he was at the [[Mercy Private Hospital]] with his father to receive treatment for the serious ankle injury he had sustained against {{AFL NM}}, but had not been informed by St Kilda club officials that a media contingent, which included [[Eddie McGuire]] as a reporter for [[Network 10|Network Ten]], would also be in attendance. Caught by surprise, Lockett angrily hurled both his crutches at the cameraman.<ref>{{Citation |title=Tony Lockett throws Crutches at Eddie McGuire Plugger St kilda Saints | date=5 June 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlO-T-Lflqc |access-date=2023-12-23 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Angry Plugger throws a crutch at Eddie McGuire {{!}} 2 Minute Tales {{!}} AFL | date=August 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctso4HQIEFA |access-date=2023-12-23 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-04 |title=Eight moments that define Tony Lockett |url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/457258/eight-moments-that-define-tony-lockett |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=sydneyswans.com.au |language=en}}</ref>

After retiring, Lockett purchased a rural property near [[Bowral]] in the Southern Highlands of [[New South Wales]] and moved there with his wife Vicki and four daughters.<ref name="class">{{cite news|date=5 May 2014|url=https://brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au/classifieds/1801310-special-tony-lockett-after-the-game/|title=SPECIAL: Tony Lockett {{!}} After the game|work=[[Brimbank & North West Star Weekly]]}}</ref> 
 
In a 2014 interview, he dismissed the idea that he had become a recluse since retiring, stating that he was simply enjoying the quiet life of an ex-footballer.<ref name="class"/>

The move to Sydney, and the relative anonymity that came with it, appeared to soften Lockett. He even appeared in various television commercials, including [[Advanced Hair]] and [[Lowes Menswear]] (in Sydney). While at a taping session for a Lowes commercial, Lockett engaged in a friendly wrestling match with former amateur rugby player Adrian "Ace" Mueller, who was at the time working for Lowes corporate division. According to some reports, the friendly wrestle developed into something quite competitive, with Lockett pinning Mueller (an exponent of the Israeli self-defence system [[Krav Maga]]).<ref>Inside-Rugby magazine February 1999</ref>
Lockett appeared with [[Stephen Curry (comedian)|Stephen Curry]] and [[Dave Lawson]] in a Toyota Memorable Moments advertisement that takes a lighthearted look at some memorable moments in his career such as the piglet "Pluga", "[[One Tony Lockett]]", "That Point" and his 1,300th goal (including the pitch invasion).

[[File:Lockett End.jpg|right|thumb|150px|The Lockett End at [[Docklands Stadium]]]]
Lockett is also well known for his interest in [[greyhound racing in Australia|greyhound racing]].<ref name=slumdog>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/money/investing/this-is-no-slumdog-20120618-20kqg.html |author=Cockington, James |title=This is no slumdog |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=20 June 2012 |access-date=5 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808004616/http://www.smh.com.au/money/investing/this-is-no-slumdog-20120618-20kqg.html |archive-date=8 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Lockett has competed in the gruelling [[Finke Desert Race]] in the open motorcycle class since 2008,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tony Lockett comes to Finke – ABC (none) – Australian Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/06/07/2267976.htm|access-date=2021-03-03|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> and for the over-45s subcategory on many occasions between 2011 and 2019,<ref>{{cite web|date=7 June 2008|title=Tony Lockett comes to Finke|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/06/07/2267976.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611033953/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/06/07/2267976.htm|archive-date=11 June 2008|access-date=27 May 2018|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=There’s only one Tony Lockett |url=https://finkedesertrace.com.au/downloads/2017%20TFDR%20Media%20Release%20-%20There%E2%80%99s%20only%20one%20Tony%20Lockett%20-%2010%20April%202017.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527201712/https://finkedesertrace.com.au/downloads/2017%20TFDR%20Media%20Release%20-%20There%E2%80%99s%20only%20one%20Tony%20Lockett%20-%2010%20April%202017.pdf |archive-date=27 May 2018 |access-date=27 May 2018 |website=Finke Desert Race}}</ref> riding in 2017, 2018, and 2019 by using his [[KTM 500 EXC]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=TFDR – Bike Overall Outright|url=https://finkedesertrace.com.au/fdr_race19/reports/bikeoveralloutright/default.php?eid=overall|access-date=2021-03-03|website=finkedesertrace.com.au}}</ref>

In 2017, Lockett made a surprise decision to return to the Sydney Swans as a part-time goalkicking and forwards coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-14/pluggers-back-tony-lockett-to-help-swans-forwards|title=Plugger's back: Tony Lockett to help Swans forwards – AFL.com.au|website=afl.com.au|date=14 March 2017 |access-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403200402/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-03-14/pluggers-back-tony-lockett-to-help-swans-forwards|archive-date=3 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Buckley |first1=James |title=Goal-kicking legend Tony Lockett joins Swans coaching staff |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-season-2017-goalkicking-legend-tony-lockett-joins-swans-coaching-staff-20170314-guy51h.html |access-date=3 December 2018 |work=The Age |date=14 March 2017 }}</ref>

==Nickname==
Lockett's father, Howard, inherited the nickname "Plugger" from his own father, who used to "plug around" in the garden. Howard Lockett, who himself played 500 games of country football,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://users.chariot.net.au/~byoung/lockett.htm |title=Tribute to Tony Lockett |access-date=24 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205215927/http://users.chariot.net.au/~byoung/lockett.htm |archive-date=5 February 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> then saw it fit to pass down the nickname once more to his son, and it serendiptiously became synonymous with his large size.

In Round 18, 1993, in a match at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] between St Kilda (then Lockett's club) and [[Sydney Swans|Sydney]] (his future club), a [[Piglet (animal)|piglet]] (being a reference to Lockett's portly build) was released by a member of the Sydney crowd onto the ground (with the wrongly spelled nickname "Pluga" and Lockett's playing number of "4" [[Spray painting|spray-painted]] onto it) before being tackled to the ground and removed by Sydney Swans player [[Darren Holmes (footballer)|Darren Holmes]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.afana.com/drupal/node/139 |title=X-Men Want AFL Pledge &#124; Australian Football Association of North America |access-date=8 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927211500/http://www.afana.com/drupal/node/139 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Seven Network|Channel Seven]] commentary of the incident had the famous exclamation of "There's a pig at full-forward!" from commentator [[Sandy Roberts]]. Lockett was actually absent from the match due to injury, which may have stimulated the idea for the prank in the first place as a joke replacement. A man named Mark claimed to be behind the prank and came forward on [[1116 SEN|SEN1116]] in 2017, 24 years after the fact.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-07 |title=Has the AFL's 'pig man' finally been revealed? |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/has-the-afls-pig-man-finally-been-revealed-ng-b88530523z |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=The West Australian |language=en}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Lockett was inducted to both the St Kilda and Sydney Swans' Team of the Century in 2001 and 2003, respectively.

In 2004, he was inducted into the North Ballarat Football Club hall of fame.

On 22 June 2006, Lockett was inducted into the [[Australian Football Hall of Fame]]. In 2015, he was elevated to "Legend" status.

The southern goal end at [[Docklands Stadium]] was named after him as the "Lockett End", with the other end being named after the footballer whose goal record he broke, [[Gordon Coventry]].

The [[Ballarat Football League]] award for the leading goal-scorer for the home-and-away season is named after Lockett,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-6145-0-0-0&sID=112149&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=8021017&sectionID=112149|title=Ballarat Football League – SportsTG|website=SportsTG|access-date=20 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009011423/http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-6145-0-0-0&sID=112149&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=8021017&sectionID=112149|archive-date=9 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> as he played his junior football with Ballarat Football League club [[North Ballarat Football Club|North Ballarat]].

On 19 July 2009, Lockett was inducted into the Sydney Swans Hall of Fame.

In 2003, he was inducted into the St Kilda Football Club Hall of Fame; on 24 July 2010, he was elevated to "Legend" status.

Lockett kicked over one hundred goals in a season on six occasions: at St Kilda in years 1987 (117), 1991 (127), and 1992 (132); and at Sydney in years 1995 (110), 1996 (121), and 1998 (109). This is a tied league [[List of VFL/AFL records|record]] for the number of times a player has kicked over 100 goals in a separate season (which he shares with [[Jason Dunstall]]).

The New South Wales Primary Schools Sports Association Australian Football competition is named the Tony Lockett Shield.

In 2017, Lockett was inducted into the [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame]].<ref name="sahof">{{cite web|title=Tony Lockett snags Sport Australia Hall of Fame Induction|url=https://sahof.org.au/tony-lockett-snags-sport-australia-hall-of-fame-induction/|website=Sport Australia Hall of Fame website|date=25 September 2017 |access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref>

In March 2021, before the Round 2 match between {{AFL StK}} and {{AFL Mel}} at [[Docklands Stadium|Marvel Stadium]] set aside to honour the memory of former Saints captain and Fox Footy personality [[Danny Frawley]] and promote mental health awareness, Lockett made a surprise appearance, along with [[Garry Lyon]] and [[Stewart Loewe]], to pay tribute to his late friend and captain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2021-danny-spud-frawley-spuds-game-st-kilda-vs-melbourne-death/news-story/f49d5d5ecaead918ca0969ea6fca4346|work=[[Fox Sports]]|date=27 March 2021|first=Ben|title='That's what Spud would've wanted you to do': Tears flow in beautiful tributes to Danny Frawley|last=Waterworth}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[After the siren kicks in Australian rules football]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last1=Piesse|first1=Ken |last2=Lockett|first2=Tony |author-link=Tony Lockett|date=1992 |title=Plugger: the Tony Lockett story |location=Sydney, Australia|publisher=Pan Macmillan Publishers |isbn=0-7251-0709-X}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book| first=Stephanie |last=Holt |author2=Hutchinson, Garrie | year=2003 |publisher=Coulomb Communication |isbn= 0-9580737-3-2|title=Footy's Greatest Players}}

==External links==
*{{AFL Tables|ref=T/Tony_Lockett.html}}
*{{AustralianFootball|ref=tony+lockett/11839}}
*[https://www.afl.com.au/hall-of-fame/legends AFL Hall of Fame – Legends]
*[http://users.chariot.net.au/~byoung/lockett.htm Tribute site]

{{Australian Football Hall of Fame Legends}}
{{AFL Brownlow Medallists}}
{{AFL MVPs}}
{{AFL Coleman Medallists}}
{{Australian rules football players with 1000 goals}}
{{E. J. Whitten Medal winners}}
{{St Kilda Football Club Team of the Century 1900–1999}}
{{Sydney Swans Team of The Century}}
{{Trevor Barker Award}}
{{Bob Skilton Medal}}
{{St Kilda leading goalkickers}}
{{Sydney leading goalkickers}}
{{1987 VFL Team of the Year}}
{{1991 All-Australian team}}
{{1992 All-Australian team}}
{{1995 All-Australian team}}
{{1996 All-Australian team}}
{{1998 All-Australian team}}
{{1989 Victoria State of Origin players}}
{{1992 Victoria State of Origin players}}
{{1995 Victoria State of Origin players}}
{{2002 AFL pre-season draft}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lockett, Tony}}
[[Category:Trevor Barker Award winners]]
[[Category:All-Australians (AFL)]]
[[Category:Brownlow Medal winners]]
[[Category:Coleman Medal winners]]
[[Category:Leigh Matthews Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Bob Skilton Medal winners]]
[[Category:St Kilda Football Club players]]
[[Category:Sydney Swans players]]
[[Category:Australian autobiographers]]
[[Category:Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Victorian State of Origin players]]
[[Category:North Ballarat Football Club players]]
[[Category:Australian rules footballers from Ballarat]]
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:E. J. Whitten Medal winners]]
[[Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:People educated at Ballarat Grammar School]]