Swans star Jake Lloyd praises the actions of family friend Barry Clark at Avalon Airport

The Avalon Airport security breach delayed Jake Lloyd’s parents’ journey to see his 250th game. Thankfully, family friend Barry Clark was with them – and Jetstar wants to thank him.

Swans veteran Jake Lloyd has paid tribute to the “brave actions” of family friend Barry Clark who has been hailed as a hero and offered free flights to any Sydney game following a security incident on a Jetstar flight heading to Sydney on Thursday afternoon.

With Lloyd set to celebrate his 250th AFL match for the Swans on Friday against Hawthorn at the SCG, Clark and Lloyd’s parents were on the Jetstar flight to attend the match.

However, their flight was disrupted after a 17-year-old boy burst through a fence at Avalon Airport and then allegedly tried to board the Jetstar plane with a loaded shotgun.

Clark, as well as other passengers and crew, tackled and then detained the teenager until police arrived.

“My thoughts are with everyone on board as it must have been a terrifying situation,” Lloyd said.

“It sounds like there were some incredibly brave actions from Barry and others to keep everyone safe.

“I’m grateful that my parents are OK, and I can’t wait to see them when they arrive in Sydney.”

Lloyd’s travelling party have since made it to Sydney and will be in attendance at the SCG for the milestone occasion, while Clark has been offered free flights to any Swans game after his heroics.

They are also set to be involved in a special guernsey presentation for Lloyd before the match.

Clark was pictured in the Sydney rooms pre-game and was given a hero’s welcome at the SCG.
“We’ve got a bit of royalty here,” Swans coach Dean Cox said.

“Clarky saved 250…237 lives yesterday.

“He said one thing, it’s just like a hardball, you’ve got to f**king go.

“Tonight, if you’re going to do anything, do what he did. Wrestle shotguns and save people’s lives. It’s a little bit different, but we’re honoured to have you here at the footy club and for everything you do for the Lloyd family.”

Seemingly overwhelmed by the attention when he wanted the focus to be on Lloyd, Clark offered a few words of thanks to Cox and the rest of the Swans.

“I’m honoured to be here and a pleasure to know Jake from a young person,” Clark said.

“(I’m) proud of your team. Play hard, play fair and you will win.”

Jake Lloyd ahead of his 250th game with his father Tony and family friend Barry Clark.

Dean Cox points out Barry Clark in the Swans rooms.

Clark and Jake Lloyd share a laugh.

In video footage obtained by the Herald Sun, staff and crew can be seen applauding him as he walked off the plane.

“We just keep flying, that’s behind us and we go forward,” he said.

Jetstar chief executive Steph Tully said Mr Clark will receive free flights to Swans games for the rest of the year.

“We’ve said to Barry we are happy to fly him to any Swans game for the rest of this year on us because we are very grateful,” she said.

“Whilst the crew did their job and did the right thing, the help of Barry was really appreciated.”

Jake Lloyd ahead of his 250th game for the Sydney Swans. Picture: Phil Hillyard

A bush shearer from Moama, Clark has been widely praised for his actions after potentially saving lives on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking after the incident, he detailed the plans of his trip to support Lloyd, as well as what was going through his mind when he tackled the accused intruder.

“I’m relieved we were all able to get home safely at the end of the day,” Clark said.

“He got agitated. Before we knew it, a shotgun appeared. He had other apparatuses on him. I don’t know what his full intention was. It looked like he was trying to get into the cockpit, actually.

“You don’t think … you act. I didn’t want to see that poor girl (the flight attendant) get shot.”

Fellow passengers credited Clark’s quick thinking for de-escalating the dangerous situation.

“Barry and the pilot saved us, 100 per cent,” Daniel Defino told Seven News.

“The pilot saw the shotgun and leapt on to him. (Barry) got him in a headlock, and that’s when I started recording.

“(The suspect) was dead silent, there was no emotion in his eyes at all, it was scary.”

The 17-year old boy is facing a series of charges, including endangering the safe operation of an aircraft, unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, bomb hoax, possession of a firearm.

Originally published as Swans star Jake Lloyd praises the actions of family friend Barry Clark at Avalon Airport