While Michael Walters became the fifth Fremantle player in history to kick a winning score after the final siren, it was inaugural captain Ben Allen who could have been the first back in 1995 at the Whitten Oval.

In episode three of the Bleeding Purple podcast Allan talks about the Round five match that year against Footscray in Fremantle’s first year in the AFL that saw Freo go down by two points after missing his chance to be the winning hero.

A 70-metre kick was required of Allan, resulting in a torpedo that failed to make the distance.

“I don’t remember too many of those games,” Allan said.

“But Shaun McManus reminds me of that Footscray game because it was his first match.

“I took a mark and the siren went and I had the shot – it was like the dream had come true.”

Speaking to senior physiotherapist Dr Jeffrey Boyle on the podcast, Allan shared the thoughts going through his head just prior to the kick.

“I thought to myself ‘there’s a bit of a breeze here going right to left, if I can just punch this at the right goal post I reckon I can kick it,” Allan said.

“I used to try torpedo punts quite a bit during games and it was just the classic opportunity to let one rip.

“I reckon if I hit it pure on the ball I could have made the distance with that little breeze.”

It seems the occasional reminder from that day’s debutant in McManus, as well as watching Walters deliver the win on the weekend continues to haunt Allan.

“Shaun still reminds me of it, so I’m sorry Shauny,” Allan said.

“Maybe I would have kicked it in the first minute of the opening quarter when my legs were a bit fresher.”