W.O.C.K On Vinyl: James Freud And The Reserves - One Tony Lockett (1999)

 

Before things get too serious here at Rock On Vinyl, I thought it might be fun to post a song / album at the end of each month, that could be categorized as being either Weird, Obscure, Crazy or just plain Korny.

With the 2023 AFL Grand Final taking place today (Collingwood v's Brisbane Lions), I thought it was fitting to share yet another 'football related' Obscurity for this month's 'WOCK on Vinyl'  post.  I also thought it fitting that in light of the great Swan's / Hawthorn full forward & goal kicker - Buddy Franklin retiring this season, I would post this 1999 tribute release for another legendary full forward, goal kicker - Tony Lockett.

Anthony 'Tony' Howard Lockett (born 9 March 1966) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the St Kilda Football Club and Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League (AFL). Nicknamed "Plugger", he is considered one of the greatest full forwards and players in the game's history.

Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and upgraded to Legend status in 2015, he is the most prolific goalkicker in VFL/AFL history, breaking Gordon Coventry's 62-year record in 1999 and eventually finishing with 1,360 goals from 281 games. He became the first full-forward to be awarded the Brownlow Medal in 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).

Lockett playing for St. Kilda

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, then saw it fit to pass down the nickname once more to his son, and it became synonymous with his large size.

Locket playing for the Sydney Swans

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.

Track Listing:

01 - One Tony Lockett (Guantanamera)  (03:23)

02 - One Tony Lockett (Footy Club Mix)  (03:23)

03 - That's Football  (03:48)

[Released: April 26, 1999 (ARIA Report #478); Festival CD Single D1867 (3tracks; UPC: 9399600186728) 

This single debuted at #92 (w/c May 24, 1999; AR #482) and peaked at #56 (w/c June 21, 1999; AR #486) charting for 5 weeks, before dropping out w/c July 5, 1999; AR #488)

Thanks to Mustang for the FLAC rip and scans. I personally like the Footy Club Mix more than the Guantanamera Mix.

One Tony Lockett (91Mb)