Phil Hillyard - the man, the myth, the legend. One of Australia’s best professional sports photographers, Hillyard has covered over 30 seasons of AFL and captured countless iconic sports moments behind the lens. Canon Australia spoke to Hillyard at the SCG as the Swans prepared to take to the ground for a game of Friday night footy.
What have been some of the most special moments you’ve captured in AFL?
I think one of the most special moments was obviously Buddy Franklin’s 1,000th goal here. Friday night footy at the SCG and he needed four goals to get the milestone. As he's coming in, the crowd's going crazy, but to me it all actually just goes silent. As the fans jumped the fence, Lance started to walk in and then as he kicked the goal, they were running towards him. And to see that unfold clean through my lens it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in sport.
Tony ‘Plugger’ Lockett’s 1300th record goal way back in 1999.
One of my favourite images of Goodsie, absolute legend of the footy club.
Micky O’Loughlin and Brett Kirk. The image to me epitomises the bloods culture - close teammates and still really good friends.
What are some of your favourite portraits you’ve taken?
I shot Luke Parker here a few years ago, it was just in a stairwell at the back of the Noble Stand, and I ended up creating this scene which looked like he may have been running out for his 200th game.
Adam Goodes a few years back re-enacting Nicky Winmar’s famous stance against racism.
What’s it like shooting a game at the SCG?
It's an intimate ground. The crowd is close. It’s my second home. I love being here - it's my happy place to be on the sidelines here.
As the game starts to build and the crowd comes in, the players run out, the song goes on, my adrenaline sort of kicks up as well and I try and use that to really immerse myself in every moment that is happening out on the field.
If you're here on a Friday night game like we are tonight and the Swans get up in a close one, there's sort of no better place in sport, I think. I love nothing more than capturing a close finish to an event. The crowd's pumping. My adrenaline's pumping. I'm on the edge of my seat as well. The pictures are going to be more amazing.
Read more about what’s in Phil Hillyard’s Canon camera kit here
