MILLENNIAL MOMENTS
LEO BARRY 2005
Nothing spells heroism in a moment of need like Leo’s last-second mark. It was one of the most gripping deciders in history: low-scoring, tight, every moment frantic. Well into time-on, with the siren threatening, Sydney’s Leo Barry gathered in the back-pocket, cleared and hoped he’d bought his team enough time. Eagles ruckman Dean Cox marked Barry’s kick on the wing and roosted it, knowing a clutch of Eagles were there waiting to do what they dauntingly did best.
It steepled. Eight players got under it, and it seemed every one of them wore the blue and gold. With the Eagles’ formidable firepower, driven by intense intent, it seemed a goal, and a last-second victory, was inevitable. But Leo was having none of it. He charged in from the side, launched himself above the fast-converging flock and took a clean, last-gasp grab. But unlike Twiggy Dunne’s in 1977, this was a match-saver at the other end of the ground, no goal required. As Leo strolled back to take the kick, the siren sounded. Leaping Leo was swamped. The Swans had their first-ever premiership as a Sydney team.
MICHAEL VOSS 2002
Flattened in the first quarter by Collingwood hitman Scott Burns, Lions captain Michael Voss, for just a second, had the look of Brereton in 1989 when he was cleaned up by Yates. The effect on the man wasn’t the same. The heroics were.
Hardman Burns thought he’d set the tone early for his team by crunching the Lions’ leader. Voss immediately bounced straight up, headed into the ensuing ruck, gathered, shot a quick handball to Simon Black who goaled, ran straight up to Burns and
