When the siren sounded on their remarkable two-point win over AFL leaders West Coast, the Brisbane Lions flocked to one man.
But it wasn’t last gasp goal-kicking hero James Polkinghorne.
Sure, Polkinghorne hogged the highlights with his incredible 60m torpedo punt kick that put the Lions in front at the death at the Gabba on Sunday.
However, it was Irish defender Niall McKeever who was singled out amid the post-match delirium for an act that not only changed the match but may yet kick-start a season turnaround for the Lions (4-6 record).
A diving McKeever somehow got a touch on a Jack Darling kick as the 15,546-strong Gabba faithful held their breath – and from the ensuing kick-in Polkinghorne made the Eagles pay.
“The boys acknowledged it at the end which was nice but it was a massive team win,” said McKeever on being swamped on fulltime.
Nothing had changed on Monday and Polkinghorne had no problem with McKeever stealing his thunder.
“An effort like that late in the game, it was unbelievable,” he said.
Super-sub Josh Green was another Lion who had every right to soak up the post-match limelight after helping turn the match on its head with three fourth-term majors.
But the carrot-topped gamebreaker only had one name on his lips on Monday.
“Without that touch it was game over really,” Green said.
“It just showed how desperate we were to win it.
“That probably got us up in the end.
“It’s gone under the radar. He’s an unsung hero, old Niall.
“Hopefully it is a turning point (for the season). We don’t want to be a one-hit wonder.”
Green dismissed any suggestion that McKeever failed to put a finger on the Darling kick.
“He’s a very honest person, a good Irishman,” Green smiled.
But Green wasn’t so sure about Polkinghorne’s match-winning 60m bomb.
“Was it a lucky goal? How many times does a torp come off outside 50m and go straight through?” he laughed.
“I am very happy it did though.”
Polkinghorne conceded it was the first time he had pulled off the feat, but not for a lack of trying.
“I have shanked a few (at training). Maybe it was my time to hit one sweet,” Polkinghorne said.
“It was all a blur, an instinct thing. Luckily it came off.”