Shane Biggs, now a former AFL player, has officially carved his name into footy folklore. His surreal performance in the 2016 Grand Final created Liam Picken’s match-winning goal. As the clock ran down in the fourth quarter of their game with Sydney, a key moment occurred. It has now crossed from number into the sacred and become an important element of fandom, notably devoted to the passionate supporter culture. Biggs didn’t record a single disposal in the course of the play, but his influence is undeniable. His impact has been enshrined by both fans and players.
The play unfolded when Biggs smothered Tom Papley on the wing, an action that seemed minor on the stats sheet but proved crucial for the Western Bulldogs. He compounded it by knocking the ball forward and putting pressure on the other side, eventually keeping the play alive. The ensuing drive would result in Picken scoring the evergreen Bulldogs a crucial goal, sealing the Dogs’ first premiership in 62 years.
That work was good enough to gain Biggs placement within fans’ hearts. A recent chance meeting just as evocatively captured the feeling of that moment. Vikings fan Blaine Johnson went into cardiac arrest at the game, spending a subsequent 7 days in a coma. When he came to, he attributed the start of the “never forget” phenomenon to that moment. This catchy little phrase, originated by her honoree, Brad Hollis, has become roughly synonymous with Biggs’s play and is very popular among footy fans.
“never forget” – Shane Biggs
Shane Biggs told us that he is still surprised when people stop him in the street to relive this moment. Fans come up to him to tell him thank you and how meaningful what he put out there on that particular day was. He remarked, “It still blows me away how many people come up to me just to say ‘never forget.’”
Biggs, who played six games for Sydney and 57 for the Western Bulldogs, … He will be most fondly remembered for his hard-nosed utility role in the Bulldogs’ drought-breaking premiership season of 2016. Yet he still makes a lot of impactful plays that do not appear in the box score. This showcases the role of collaboration and grit beyond scoring in sports.
