The Swans fan who claimed the ball from Buddy Franklin‘s 1000th goal has said he couldn’t believe he managed to make it out of the SCG unscathed.
Alex Wheeler was filmed taking a brilliant mark in the stands after Franklin’s kick sailed between the posts, before clutching it tightly on the ground as other fans stormed the pitch.
“It looked pretty dramatic on that video but look, I’d had a couple of cans so that probably numbed the blow a little bit,” he joked to 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
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“It was such a blur at the time – I couldn’t really believe what was happening, and I couldn’t believe it just sort of sunk in the paw. Then I managed to hit the deck and there was a couple of kicks in the ribs and the hands and whatever else – I was getting absolutely pummelled on the ground.
“It was unbelievable that I managed to hang onto it.”
Wheeler got up eventually and got on the field with thousands of others – before he was advised to make his getaway.
“I ran into one of my other mates who’d been sitting somewhere else on the ground and I told him what had happened and he said, ‘Mate, you have got to get out of there.’
“So I’ve hit the burners, got out of there, got out of the ground … I was just walking through the middle of Sydney, effectively, with this ball.”
After a quick cab ride home, the ball has remained “safe and secure” and ready for him to hand back.
Despite what many thought, Wheeler had no legal right to keep the Sherrin, even if he wanted to – but he said he was happy to return such an important piece of Australian sporting history.
“It’s pretty hard to value something like that but at the end of the day it’s about getting it back to the club,” Wheeler said.
Swans CEO Tom Harley said the Swans would announce exactly what was coming Wheeler’s way in terms of compensation at today’s ceremony, where Wheeler will return the ball to Franklin – but that the club had ‘a few things lined up.’
“Alex has been a great sport,” Harley said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing Alex at the SCG with Lance, and (getting) the ball back. It was unbelievable scenes and a great life experience for Alex in particular to be front and centre of all of that.”