If you told a young Armadale-born, Bunbury-bred, Isiah Winder he’d be kicking his first AFL goal alongside some of the greatest forwards in history, he would’ve told you, ‘you’re dreaming’.
But, that’s exactly what the 18-year-old did, seizing his quick-fire opportunity in a joint venture between West Coast teammates.
Jamie Cripps began the passage with a tackle on St. Kilda’s Brad Hill, which led to a Josh Kennedy follow-up smother, and finally a handball into the waiting arms of Winder.
The small forward then snapped truly across his body from about 20 metres out, with an immediate response from teammates in the vicinity.
A weighty pile-on ensued, with the likes of Nic Naitanui, Liam Ryan and Oscar Allen rushing into the celebratory circle.
“It happens all so fast,” Winder laughed after starting on the bench as a medical sub.
“But, it was an unreal feeling, it’s always what you want to do as a child growing up.”
Winder was still processing the goal for days afterward, stating he ‘doesn’t remember’ the moment, most likely due to a rush of adrenaline.
However, there’s someone that does recall the snap with distinct clarity… three-time All-Australian Josh Kennedy.
Pictured are the photos every West Coast fan would have seen on the night, a jubilant ‘JK’ sprinting up to a stunned Winder, who promptly leapt into his arms.
“(He was) the closest person to me – came at me with open arms,” Winder laughed.
“The photos are pretty funny, it kind of shows how much the child comes out of you when you’re playing football, and I loved it.
“I watched it (the replay) a few times, the boys gave me a bit of grief about the photos of me and ‘JK’,” Winder said laughing.
Although Winder remembers those moments with a smile, the minutes beforehand had stunned the Peel Thunder product, with Shannon Hurn coming off with a soleus issue.
The former skipper looked set to counter Dean Cox’s 290 game record with a monumental game at half-back, but was struck down in the first two minutes of the match.
“With Hurn coming off, I didn’t actually realise I was coming on, I thought he was going to get a rub and go back on,” Winder recalls.
“Then he came up to me and told me to get warmed up, it kind of happened all so quick and I was on the field.
“I think it’s still trying to sink in, I didn’t really realise I was playing AFL football until I was out there with everyone.”
The young prodigy playing alongside his childhood heroes much sooner than expected, despite receiving his guernsey from senior coach Adam Simpson in the days leading up to the match.
“Receiving my jumper from ‘Simmo’ was a really good feeling, it was a bit of mixed emotions coming in as an emergency,” Winder reflected.
“The boys made me go up and do a speech, but I think they were all happy with me, especially helping me along the way, they like to see a young boy get their jumper.
“And the opportunity to fly over with the boys and get that experience, it’s a feeling that I will never let go.”
