Maurice kicks his 1000th goal

Maurice Goolagong’s name was etched into the Black Diamond AFL record books on the weekend when he became the league’s first player to kick 1000 career goals.

The crowd of approximately 300 was probably a record for Black Diamond AFL matches at Hylton Moore Oval on Saturday. 

They had all come along to see if Maurice Goolagong could make history by kicking one more goal to reach the sought-after milestone.

There were cameras everywhere as the Terrigal Reserve grade players and supporters made a guard of honour as Goolagong lead the Panthers onto the field.

Terrigal won the toss and selected to kick to the northern end where most of the spectators were waiting in anticipation for Maurice to make history.

However, Warners Bay had a different plan and clearly came ready to play as they pushed hard to get numbers into defence to nullify any attacking effort by the Panthers. 

The best chance in the first quarter was when a Panthers’ teammate came streaming down the corridor about 45m from goal and Goolagong led hard to get a mark directly in front about 25m out. 

The crowd gasped as they expected this would be the moment but unfortunately the kick went over his head and the Bulldogs worked their way out of defence again.

The few times that Goolagong got his hands on the footy, there were Bulldogs players everywhere putting him under pressure.  Scott Manuelle did very well to hold Goolagong goalless in the first quarter, and remarkably, the Panthers were kept scoreless in the first quarter as the Bulldogs kicked 2.3.15.

This meant the cameramen, photographers, media staff from StarFM and Central Coast Express, and at least half of the crowd had to walk down to the southern end to see if history could be made in the second quarter.

Early in the term, talented youngster Jai Turner took a mark about 50m from goal on a 45 degree angle and Goolagong held up his hand to indicate to Turner to wait. He then pushed off a Bulldogs opponent and led hard to receive a perfect pass from Turner, which Goolagong marked about 30m from goal. 

It will be a kick that Turner will remember for a long time as Goolagong went back confidently and kicked the footy straight through the middle.  He knew as soon as the footy left his boot that it was goal 1000 as he held his arms up triumphantly and yelled “yes” with delight.

About 100 spectators ran out on to the ground to congratulate Goolagong. His family, teammates and supporters were delighted that the milestone had been achieved and the moment was a big turning point in the game.  In the second quarter it was the Panthers that put on 2 goals and kept the Doggies goalless to make it even at the major break.  The Panthers ran away with the match in the second half to win 12.10.82 to 2.7.19.

AFL NSW/ACT and the Black Diamond AFL board would like to congratulate Maurice Goolagong on achieving this remarkable milestone.