“Leo Barry, you star!”
It’s the famous words shouted by Stephen Quartermain in the dying seconds of the 2005 AFL Grand Final as Barry’s incredible park mark sealed Sydney’s historic premiership win over West Coast.
One of the greatest ever grand finals, the narrow 58-54 victory crucially ended a 72-year premiership drought for the Swans dating all the way back to 1933 (as South Melbourne).
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And so it was scenes of absolute pandemonium across the MCG for the red and white.
Of course, John Worsfold’s Eagles would win the grand final rematch against Paul Roos’ Swans the following year — also by under a kick — in two of the most thrilling deciders in league history.
It was fitting both sides won one during such a strong period for the two clubs including an epic rivalry filled with several epic close games.
In fact, in the six meetings between Sydney and West Coast from September 2005 to March 2007 — including the two grand finals plus two qualifying finals — the margins in those games were 4, 4, 2, 1, 1, and 1. They simply barely be split.
Matches littered with stars everywhere, from Chris Judd, Ben Cousins and Dean Cox to Adam Goodes, Barry Hall and Brett Kirk, they was truly legendary and must-watch encounters.
Fast forward to present day and those Swans involved in that 2005 drought-breaking flag are predicting the club will pick up its third premiership in 19 years in Saturday’s decider against Brisbane.
In fact, two 2005 premiership Swans, Ben Matthews and Amon Buchanan, are again in the thick of things as assistant coaches in the Swans camp. Meanwhile, Eagles champ Dean Cox has switched allegiances and is also an integral member of Longmire’s team.
All 11 members from the 2005 Swans side contacted by foxfooty.com.au this week tipped their former club to salute.
And to no huge surprise, the majority of them are backing Isaac Heeney to continue his red-hot finals form and pick up the Norm Smith Medal.
Nineteen years on from an iconic day in Swans history, here are the reflections from several members from Sydney’s 2005 Grand Final team, plus an update on where they are now and full predictions for Saturday’s decider.
Starting with the coach, then working up in jumper number order …
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PAUL ROOS (coach)
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “I still have unbelievably fond memories of it. The excitement when the siren went and celebrations after the game, that night and the next day and then back in Sydney. It was an incredible time for everyone. What you realise is how much time and effort goes into it. Not just the people involved in that year, but the history – the 72 years, the connection between South Melbourne and Sydney, the heartache and exciting times. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into it.”
Asked if he pre-planned his iconic ‘here it is!’ quote post-match, Roos said: “No I didn’t, you sort of pre-plan your speech – win or lose. But that only came out when I saw the banner: ‘Two cities, one team, together living the dream’. I remember seeing it before the game and thinking it’d be a pretty significant day if we can win. That probably came out in the spur of the moment.”
Now: “I’ve got a company called Performance by Design. I currently live in Hawaii but I’m back in Australia fairly regularly including now. I also help my son with his mentoring program. That keeps me busy and keeps me back in Australia fairly regularly and I get to live in Hawaii, which is pretty cool.”
Favourite current player: “I’m connected to the club and academy, that’s something I’m really proud of, having worked at the Swans Academy from 2011 to 2013. I had a lot to do with Isaac Heeney, not that he’s my favourite player, but because I had so much to do with him and he’s really good mates with my son. Probably the other Academy players like Callum Mills and Nick Blakey, who is son of my great mate Johnny Blakey. Then there’s Errol Gulden, I used to go to his dad’s restaurant and saw Errol as a young kid. I love the Swans, but they’re probably the four that really stand out because I’ve had so much to do with those guys and their families.”
Tip: “I think the Swans will win by a point, only because they finished on top of the ladder and the season says they’ve been the best team. But Brisbane’s win over Geelong last week was one of the best finals I’ve ever seen, so they’re coming in in red-hot form. I think it’s going to be a great game and obviously there’s significance for me with y two old clubs.”
Norm Smith Medal: “I’ll go for Isaac Heeney, given his red-hot form at the moment, he looks fit, healthy and has confidence.”
2. NICK DAVIS
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “I remember the build up to it was pretty calm up in Sydney, you get hidden away. Then once you get down to Melbourne it’s pretty big. In terms of the game, I can remember at the start of the game, Lewis Roberts-Thompson had the ball the whole time, no one else had a turn to do anything. Grand finals are just so different, it’s the longest game of footy you ever play, there’s so much happening all the time, everything that happens is a big moment or could be a big moment. I remember how long the game felt, you get to half-time and are as spent as you’ve ever been but know you’ve got to go back out there and do it again. Obviously a fond memory of the game and when that siren went, such a relief.”
On that semi-final performance against Geelong: “Lots of people come up to me and want to talk about it and say they were there and how much it meant to them. We were lucky enough to go on and win (the flag), so it probably makes it even more special. It does get spoken about a fair bit, which I’m not all that upset about.”
Now: “Still luckily involved in the club in coaching — senior assistant coach for our AFLW side, which is a great role I’m really enjoying. Helping the club progress and build the team and culture. I’m also head coach of the female Swans Academy, so fully into the female coaching space.”
Favourite current player: “I’ve got a few, I’ve probably coached a few coming up through the Swans Academy — Nick (Blakey), Errol and Isaac, obviously Callum (Mills) isn’t playing. Isaac would be my favourite.”
Tip: “I think the Swans can win by 15 points, it feels a little bit different being in and around the building. It’s a bit more business than it was in 2022.”
Norm Smith Medal: “Errol Gulden.”
5. RYAN O’KEEFE
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “It’s gone pretty quick! It was such a huge moment for the club considering it was 72 years between premiership glory. It was probably three years in the making with the group we had. To build towards it and achieve something together was so special and cool.”
Now: “I work with the AFL doing game development in New South Wales, in particularly developing coaches at community level. Giving back to grassroots, which is really important, particularly in the NSW market.”
Favourite current player: “Isaac is class and I really love watching him. I knew him as a young kid when he came to the club, he asked if he could have No. 5 and I was more than happy to give it to him. He’s very much done the number a great service, it’s always good to see the No. 5 running around. I also like watching Chad Warner play, he’s had a really good year and is one of those standout players.”
Tip: “I think the Swans will just get up. It’s going to be a super game, both teams play a similar style – they’ve got firepower and will just keep coming even if you think they’re out. It’ll go down to the wire.”
Norm Smith Medal: “If the Swans get up, Chad will be the one who gets off the chain and dominates. Because Isaac has been dominating the finals and I think Brisbane, if they’re smart, will put some time into him and not give him much room.”
10. PAUL WILLIAMS
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “That mark is definitely a highlight. I remember vividly I was behind the pack – it was quite a big pack with eight or 10 blokes jumping at it and a couple of illegal movements in the middle of it. But I was at the back in case it went over everyone. But big Leo clunked it and it was an amazing mark. That and Nick Davis doing what he did in the semi-final, there’s fond memories of ‘05.”
Now: “Since I left footy I’ve held two roles – I work in the print game for Fujifilm for a company called Upstream. I’ve been doing that for about 11 years. I’ve also been on the AFL Tribunal for about 11 years as well (did the Dan Houston Showdown hit on Izak Rankine case). I’ve enjoyed the tribunal in a way because it’s kept my finger on the pulse with footy and it’s a good little segway for business. But I’ve loved the corporate life, it’s totally different. When you become institutionalised in footy for a long time, you don’t really realise what’s out there. And I enjoy watching the footy with a beer on a Friday!”
Favourite current player: “I’ve got a soft spot for Dane Rampe, who I have a bit of history with when I was coaching at the Bulldogs and he was trying to get on the list there. I’ve always gotten on well with Dane, he’s an absolute ripper. But my favourite would probably be Isaac, I just love the way he plays. He plays a lot taller than he is and can play in any position, which is a good attribute. I just really love the way he goes about his footy.”
Tip: “The Swans by 27 points.”
Norm Smith Medal: “I’m going Warner.”
13. ADAM SCHNEIDER
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “Nothing but good memories obviously. Such a great grand final and a great rivalry between two clubs. We were lucky it fell our way that year.”
Now: “I’ve moved back to Albury in the country, I’m coach of the Lavington Football Club in the Ovens and Murray League. I’ve been here for three years. Prior to this I was an assistant at the Giants. But back to the country life and really enjoying it, I’m still involved in footy.”
Favourite current player: “I’ve always got a soft spot for a forward, especially a small forward who goes pretty well down there – No. 11 (Tom Papley). Young Errol Gulden is also someone I admire, the way he goes about it and what he’s been able to do in such a short time in the game.”
Tip: “Sydney by under 20 points. It’s going to be a close game, I reckon it’s a 50-50 and could go any way. I think she might come down to the last couple minutes.”
Norm Smith Medal: “I’m going to have to say Isaac Heeney. His form is too good and he’s a big-game player. I think he’ll stand up, hit the scoreboard and do something spectacular.”
17. TADHG KENNELLY
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “Jeez, I feel like an old man when I think it was 19 years ago! It feels like yesterday. Clearly it was a special day for the football club and being a young Irishman, it was quite emotional having my family there. I do remember going out at the start of the game and there was this wave of energy rushing down the tunnel. I just started laughing and losing it, as in loving it. ‘Roosy’ was looking at me and I’m laughing my head off going: ‘Jesus, this is awesome! How good is this!?’ I was almost like a fan. It was probably the best thing for me because my old man had played in some big games and grand finals and his advice was to try and stay relaxed and enjoy the occasion.
“The game itself was obviously special, the way the game finished and the fact that was 72 years for the Swans in between winning a flag. Obviously Leo taking the mark at the end – but it was the greatest free kick never given! Ashley Sampi had won Mark of the Year, I remember seeing him and thinking: ‘I have to get to him and not let him get off the ground’. Clearly it was a free kick.”
Now: “I’m working in the Giants Academy, so I’ve jumped across town – I’m running the Academy from a coaching perspective. It’s great to be growing the game in New South Wales, we’ve got some strong areas in Canberra and the rest of Sydney.”
Favourite current player: “James Rowbottom, I’ve been involved with him since he started. I love the way he goes about, there’s no bulls*** with ‘Rowy’, he just gets it done and everyone jumps off the back of him. He’s a very grounded person and a very typical Swans footballer that doesn’t play for the limelight but plays for his teammates.”
Tip: “I think the Swans will win. It’ll be tight, a goal or two, not a whole lot in it. It’s set up for a cracking game, obviously both teams have lost the last two grand finals, so it’s set up to be an absolute belter between two of the best teams.”
Norm Smith Medal: “Isaac, the form he’s been in has been incredible this finals series. The two games he’s played have been outstanding and I think he’ll continue to do that.”
20. LUKE ABLETT
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “The memory that always comes to mind the quickest is when I kicked it to Ben Cousins at the start of the last quarter, which was quickly followed by the relief of Leo Bary taking his mark. The rest is a blur and disappearing with time.”
Now: “I’ve just moved back from Darwin – where I lived for almost five years – to Melbourne, where I’m working for the domestic, family and sexual violence commission.”
Favourite current player: “James Rowbottom. Hard and tough but so effective.”
Tip: “The Swans – both head and heart pick them.”
Norm Smith Medal: “Tom Papley with a bag of four goals.”
21. LEO BARRY
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “It’s a bit of a blur, it only seems like yesterday. Nineteen years has gone extremely fast. This time of year you reflect on what we were able to achieve – the first premiership in 72 years. It was a momentous occasion for the players, the club and the supporters. The whole week itself was such an amazing experience to play in a grand final in such a close clash – one of the best grand finals we’ve seen for a while. A really proud moment for myself and the prouder team.”
On that mark: “It was a pretty amazing moment. I had no idea how long was left. West Coast had complete momentum in the last five or 10 minutes of the game, we were holding on for dear life and trying to run the clock down. I was the one who kicked it down the line to Dean Cox, who’s now very much ingrained in the Swans system. He was such a quick kick and it was more sheer fright of who might take it and I had no idea where my opponent was. The other seven or eight guys in the pack, I think everyone was going for it. Timed it perfectly and I was lucky it didn’t fall out. As I was running from the back pocket, if I had spoiled it, it probably would’ve gone back into the corridor. As ‘Roosy’ always used to advise me, if you think you can mark it, go for it. If you don’t take it, often it’s as good as a spoil. On that particular day it was one that stuck.”
Now: “I’m a portfolio manager at Fairview Equity Partners – we’re a small cap specialist in the Aussie market. I’ve been there nearly 10 years, time flies. I’ve been involved in stock markets for some time, I did a bit of work experience and study when I was playing. I have a real passion for investing.”
Favourite current player: “Errol Gulden, he grew up just down the road from me when we were living in Sydney and he wears the No. 21. Also a shout out to Dane Rampe – a fellow backman and really great player. A bit undersized but competes hard.”
Tip: “The Swans in a close game. Our strong form has been the reason we finished on top of the ladder despite a bouncy period the last couple of months. But we had a really good hit-out in the prelim and we go in with a pretty fit list, pretty much all our better players are available bar a couple. To win a grand final you need all those recipes, so we’ve certainly given ourselves a good chance.”
Norm Smith Medal: “If we win, Heeney wins the Norm Smith.”
24. JUDE BOLTON
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “It probably starts the day before when we had a bit of a walk onto the MCG. You look around and thought we’d play in grand finals each year with a good team and the like, I still remember Micky O’Loughlin telling the boys: ‘In the 1996 grand final I was 18 or 19. It’s been 10 years since I got the opportunity again.‘ It dawned on us then that you’ve really got to capitalise when you’ve got that good team. They’re few and far between these opportunities.
“I was lucky enough to have our pre-game meeting that night with Paul Roos and he talked about going out and being a Blood – that it doesn’t take anything extra and you don’t have to be the best on ground or anything like that, but be trusted and do what you’ve done all year and you’ll be a premiership player. I remember putting my head on the pillow thinking ‘we can do this.’
“It was hard fought with the way it seesawed. Incredible that last 10 minutes after Amon Buchanan kicked the final goal. And then Leo’s mark just goes down in history as something really special.”
Now: “Still involved in footy, I’m lucky enough to be on the All-Australian committee including picking the Rising Star. I do commentary on Channel 7 and a bit of radio on Triple M.”
Favourite current player: “I gravitate to the midfielders, I like those hard-fought players who have a big impact. I enjoy watching Isaac and Chad. James Rowbottom epitomises what makes wearing the red and white, that two-way, hard runner. So I enjoy watching him as well.”
Tip: “Sydney by 27 points, I think they’ll get it done.”
Norm Smith Medal: “Chad Warner.”
26. SEAN DEMPSTER
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “They’re pretty vague to be honest, I’ve never sat down and watched the game again. It was such a big event, but I’m a massive introvert, so I was a deer in headlights – from the grand final parade, to the game itself and the aftermath. Even the lap around the oval after the game, I couldn’t wait to get off the ground. I was like: ‘What am I doing here?’, while all the other boys were in the crowd cuddling random people. I went down in the rooms a couple of minutes before everyone else, it was quite overrawing. I was so young and didn’t quite know how to process. But obviously it was a pretty special experience.”
Now: “I’m a chippy, my brother and I started a little construction company that’s all residential – down Mornington Peninsula way – I’ve been doing that for the last three or four years. I did a bit of study while I was in football – a bachelor in biomedical science but realised – I wasn’t smart enough nor did I like studying that much. I got a masters in exercise science and did a bit of work post football at Hawthorn for a year as strength and conditioning coach and have also been a stay-at-home dad, which is the most brutal thing I’ve ever done! I also worked part time at St Kilda in strength and conditioning for four months before Covid hit.”
Favourite current player: “It’s hard to go past Isaac Heeney, probably for the year he’s had. He’s a very talented player and seems to be able to turn it on at the right time. He’d be good to play with. When I was playing, I always liked watching Dane Rampe. He’s just a good player, he’s not huge but he plays on the bigs and smalls and gets his job done and reads the ball well. He’s probably taken a bit more of a back seat these days as he’s getting a bit older, but he used to be the No. 1 defender and he’d be a hell of a matchup for forwards.”
Tip: “Sydney by 26 points because it was my jumper number.”
Norm Smith Medal: “I can’t pass up Heeney, his two finals have been fantastic. Go the three-peat. To go from spending the majority of his career as a forward to going into the midfield and dominating this much is pretty impressive.”
42. PAUL BEVAN
Reflections on the 2005 Grand Final: “It’s not so much the day but the whole build up – the week leading up to the game and grand final parade etc. etc. I remember our main training session during the week in Sydney having the SCG full of spectators. That was huge, just getting the whole buzz and vibe. Game day was a bit of a blur because we’re all so revved up for the game. I remember afterwards the elation on everyone’s faces – not just the players – everyone involved, because it’d been so long (since the club last won a flag). It’s a special part of, not just mine, but my whole families’ lives. I still think about it regularly.”
Now: “I’ve worked for a medical technology company for two years. I’m in a product specialist role in the gastroenterology space for people who go in for endoscopy. I supply the equipment and support the specialist around our equipment, so you’re in theatre. It’s a challenging role because if something goes wrong in a theatre setting, they look to you to resolve and you don’t always have the answers. You’ve got to be cool and calm under pressure.”
Favourite current player: “I’ve got a soft spot for No. 42 – so Fox is someone I watch keenly. Nick Blakey is someone I really enjoy watching too – the way he plays, takes the game on, runs and break lines and a great decision maker under pressure.”
Tip: “Sydney by 15 points. I’m hoping for a shootout, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Norm Smith Medal: “I’ll back Blakey in, looking a bit outside the norm. He’ll break those lines and break the game open a little bit and be a standout in defence.”
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