Young Swan Oliver Florent remembers his first AFL goal like it was yesterday and says second-gamer Tom McCartin will cherish Saturday night’s moment to savour.
McCartin finished with two majors in Sydney’s 59-point win over Fremantle at the SCG and kicked his first AFL goal at the 13-minute mark of the third term.
He had made his senior debut in Sydney’s win over Hawthorn the week prior and on Saturday slotted a right-foot snap off a set shot for his first AFL goal.
All other 21 Swans on ground flocked to him like he had snared a wicket just as they had for Ben Ronke on debut at the Cattery earlier in the season.
Florent said it made for incredible scenes.
“It was a very special feeling and especially for Tom,” Florent said.
“I remember my first goal and it was such a great feeling when you kick it and you get swamped and your teammates get around you.
“I’m sure he’ll be up and about.”
McCartin would be rapt with his two-goal return but the biggest asset he offers is his ability to create a contest for the smaller and speedier forwards.
The Geelong Falcons product towers at 192 centimetres and often gets the ball to ground when flying high for a pack mark.
Then comes the pounce from the likes of livewires Tom Papley, Will Hayward, Ronke and Florent.
Papley (two goals), Ronke (one) and Hayward (one) all hit the scoreboard and again put Fremantle’s defence through a rat race with intense defensive pressure, as did Florent, Cunningham and Heeney when parked in the Swans’ forward 50.
Star forward Lance Franklin kicked a milestone goal of his own among a bag of three when he booted his 300th Swans major.
The former Hawk put himself in rarefied air in joining Sydney and St Kilda legend Tony Lockett as the only two players in VFL/AFL history to kick 300 goals for two clubs.
Franklin brought up triple figures with his second goal of the night as he nailed a left-foot snap from the right-forward pocket.
“It’s very rare in the AFL to kick 300 let alone for two different clubs,” Florent said.
“It’s an unbelievable effort.”
