7 September 2016 · Sponsors

Sydney Swans Hero is Latest Toyota Legendary Moment

Sydney Swans Hero is Latest Toyota Legendary Moment Leo Barry with comedians Stephen Curry (left) and Dave Lawson.

The spectacular overhead mark credited with ending the longest premiership drought in AFL/VFL premiership history has been honoured as the latest Toyota Legendary Moment.

Sydney Swans full-back Leo Barry - under immense pressure in the tense dying seconds of the 2005 Toyota AFL Grand Final - flew into a pack of seven players to grab a match-saving mark with his team just four points clear of the West Coast Eagles.

Before "Leaping Leo" Barry could take his hard-earned kick, the siren sounded to end the game and snuff out the Eagles' last chance of snatching victory.

It was the first premiership in 72 years for the red-and-whites - a team that was originally called South Melbourne and became the Sydney Swans after relocating north in 1982.

The team, which had suffered decades of fruitless results after winning flags in 1909, 1918 and 1933, followed up its 2005 victory with another premiership in 2012.

Toyota's divisional manager national marketing Brad Cramb said football fans will talk about Leo Barry's mark forever, which is why it has been honoured as this year's Toyota Legendary Moment.

"Leo was courageous and committed and took one of the most under-pressure marks ever seen in football history; if the ball had come loose, the Eagles' crumbers could have kicked a goal to win the match," Mr Cramb said.

"It's a moment Leo deservedly cherishes - and Toyota is proud it has now been able to immortalise his heroics in the nail-biting finish that resulted in a long-awaited premiership."

Leo Barry's Toyota Legendary Moment will be aired for the first time during tonight's E. J. Whitten Legends Game at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

Barry, who retired from football at the end of the 2009 season, teams with comedians Stephen Curry and Dave Lawson in a humorous recreation of the moment that led to the Swans becoming the 2005 champions of the AFL.

Toyota, as the AFL's premier partner since 2004, has been creating and celebrating the legendary moments of AFL for 12 years.

Previous Toyota Legendary Moments include:
• Alex Jesaulenko's skyscraper mark in the 1970 Grand Final,
• Leigh Matthews colliding with and breaking a wooden behind-post,
• Kevin Bartlett's seven-goal performance in the 1980 Grand Final, and
• Dermott Brereton's heroics in the 1989 Grand Final after he was shirtfronted and knocked unconscious at the opening bounce.

Australia's leading automotive company, Toyota is noted for its sponsorship of sport, which is characterised by a shared passion for people, activities and organisations that benefit the community.

Its AFL sponsorship has a particular emphasis on the grassroots Good for Footy program that supports local clubs.