Heath Shaw’s Smother Takes Centre Stage as Toyota Australia’s ‘Legendary Moments’ Returns for AFL’s 2025 Toyota Good for Footy Round

A moment forever etched in football folklore, Shaw’s 50 metre chase-down and smother on Nick Riewoldt as he encroached on the goal line, became a defining act of desperation, determination, and pure footy instinct, perfectly capturing the spirit of what makes the game legendary from grassroots through to elite.

Toyota Australia’s Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo, said they are hoping to spark a conversation with the return of this campaign and unearth legendary moments at every level of the game.

“Reigniting this campaign reinforces our longstanding support of football in its entirety, looking not only at the elite heroes, but at every level of our game. It also injects some quality humour that audiences will enjoy!”

“By spotlighting moments like this, we are hoping to celebrate everything that makes footy great, from elite heroics on the big stage to unbelievable brilliance on local grounds,” Naidoo said.

The Toyota Legendary Moments campaign officially launched on Thursday 3 July during a tongue in cheek press conference that took place at the State Library of Victoria, a play on the iconic commentary from Dennis Cometti “Came up behind him like a librarian”

Speaking at the press conference, Shaw shared his delight at being announced as the Toyota Legendary Moment for 2025.

“It’s a moment in time that has been talked about a lot, mostly by me playing up how important it was.”

“I played 325 games over my career and was lucky enough to play for two amazing clubs. I played 173 games for Collingwood and then 152 for GWS GIANTS and after all those games and so many highlights, I’m always going to be remembered for a smother.”

“In all seriousness though, to see this moment take centre stage, and for it to be selected by Toyota to inspire the next generation is really special. I wouldn’t be here without my junior footy club, I really do appreciate them, and what Toyota does to contribute to community clubs across the country is incredible. That’s what footy is all about.”

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon also spoke to the impact the enduring partnership between the league and its premier partner, Toyota, had on every level of the game.

“Toyota has been an incredible partner of the game at every level, and the Legendary Moments campaign helps bring to life the emotional impact footy plays in our community and at the elite level. Highlighting iconic moments from the AFL competition to amazing stories from community clubs helps us celebrate the local legends at every level.”

The return of Legendary Moments launches during the Toyota Good for Footy Round, celebrating local grassroots footy clubs and highlighting Toyota’s Good for Footy Program, which supports clubs across the country with initiatives such as the Good for Footy Raffle.

Toyota’s Good for Footy Raffle helps local football clubs across Australia raise much-needed funds with all proceeds going directly to community clubs to support junior development, facilities, and the future of the game.

Fans are encouraged to visit https://toyotagoodforfooty.raffletix.com.au/ to support their local club, purchase raffle tickets, and view exclusive content from this year’s campaign.  

HISTORY OF TOYOTA’S LEGENDARY MOMENTS

Toyota have celebrated 16 Legendary Moments across AFL and Cricket in the past:

AFL:

1. James Hird – The Fan Hug
2. Peter Daicos – Finals Miracle Goal
3. Wayne Harmes – Grand Final slide
4. Dermott Brereton – Grand Final heroics
5. Alex Jesaulenko – Mark of the century
6. Malcom Blight – 80+ metre torp goal
7. Tony ‘Plugger’ Lockett – 1,300th goal
8. Francis Bourke – Grand final heroics
9. Bruce Doull – Grand Final streaker
10. Kevin Bartlett – Grand Final goal haul
11. Peter Hudson – Goal Kicking record
12. Leigh Matthews – Breaking the goal post
13. Michael Long – Grand Final Run
14. Leo Barry – Grand Final Mark

Cricket:

1. Steve Waugh – Ashes century

NRL:

1. Wally Lewis – Origin Heroics