Leigh Matthews, Paul Roos and Mark Williams feature in the best quotes of the 21st century

FROM Leigh Matthews’ inspiring words to Mark Williams taking a pot-shot at a rival and Adam Goodes taking a stand, do you remember these amazing footy quotes?

IT’S the ultimate tribute to 21st century footy.

Herald Sun football reporters Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane have worked through every jaw-dropping, fist-pumping moment of the past 17 seasons — from 2001 to 2017.

Today, they look at the best quotes since 2001.

17 IN 17: WHO MADE THE BEST TEAM OF THE 21ST CENTURY

17 IN 17: BEST AND WORST AFL GRAND FINALS

17 IN 17: SCANDALS THAT ROCKED THE AFL

17 IN 17: FOOTY’S MOST-LOVED CULT FIGURES

TEN BIG QUOTES, 2001-2017

1. “IF IT BLEEDS, WE CAN KILL IT” - Leigh Matthews, 2001

Brisbane coach Matthews channelled Arnold Schwarzenegger before a Round 10, 2001, clash with reigning premier Essendon. He told his players: “If it bleeds, we can kill it. And we reckon Essendon can bleed.” Matthews’ team responded with a famous victory that also killed the impression the Bombers were unbeatable. That belief flowed onto the rest of the season as the Lions swept all before them and defeated Essendon again in the Grand Final. It also led to Kevin Sheedy’s threat to fight back against the Lions in 2002: “I will just tell the players there are no rules against Brisbane this week — none whatsoever.”

Leigh Matthews was the master motivator. Picture: David Kapernick

2. “HERE IT IS” - Paul Roos, 2005

Three simple words washed away the pain of the longest premiership drought in VFL-AFL history. When Sydney coach Paul Roos took to the podium and raised the 2005 premiership cup — 72 years since the Swans had last won a premiership — he kept his words short and sweet. But he directed them to the long-suffered Swans fans when he said: “Here it is.”

3. “ALLAN SCOTT, YOU WERE WRONG” - Mark Williams, 2004

As Port Adelaide was branded chokers after crashing out of the 2003 finals, trucking magnate and club major sponsor Allan Scott, who was 81, claimed Mark Williams would never coach the Power to a premiership. So when Port was premier the following year, the coach was always going to give Scott a not-so-gentle reminder. “Choco” already had yanked his tie in a choking gesture, then he stepped up to the microphone and screamed: “Allan Scott, you were wrong.”

4. ‘THEY DON’T HAVE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DRIVE WE HAVE. WE’VE BEATEN GEELONG WHEN IT MATTERS” - Jeff Kennett, 2009

As Hawthorn prepared to take on Geelong for the first time since winning the 2008 Grand Final, Hawks president Jeff Kennett questioned the Cats’ mental strength. And so began the “Kennett Curse”. Geelong defeated Hawthorn in their next 11 matches. It wasn’t until the 2013 preliminary final that the Hawks beat the Cats again.

5. “AS A COACH, I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR FOOTY DEPARTMENT.” - James Hird, 2013

On the day of that significant press conference at AFL Headquarters, Essendon coach James Hird fronted the media and said he was “shocked” by allegations about the club’s supplements program in 2012. It set off one of the most divisive and destructive sagas in the history of Australian sport, during which Hird fought the AFL every step of the way.

James Hird said he would take full responsibility for what happened in the club’s football department. Picture:Wayne Ludbey

6. “MY UNDERSTANDING ... (WAS) THAT I WAS RECEIVING AOD. (I BELIEVED) THAT IT WAS LEGAL AT THE TIME AND THAT’S WHAT I WAS TOLD I WAS GIVEN” - Jobe Watson, 2013

When Essendon captain Jobe Watson revealed on Fox Footy that he took a drug he believed to be AOD-9604 — a substance since confirmed as banned under anti-doping rules — it became one of the biggest talking points of the Bombers’ doping scandal.

7. “I ACTUALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT THE DEFINITION OF TANKING IS” - Gillon McLachlan, 2013

Melbourne was fined $500,000 and two former members of its football staff were suspended following the AFL’s investigation into tanking allegations. But the league was insistent the Demons hadn’t actually tanked. Confused? Well, Gillon McLachlan didn’t really clear it up at a press conference announcing the penalties when he said: “I actually don’t know what the definition of tanking is.” It followed on from Andrew Demetriou’s comments throughout much of the controversy: “I don’t believe teams go on to the ground to lose matches. I simply don’t.”

8. “THIS IS YOURS MATE. YOU DESERVE IT MORE THAN ANYONE” - Luke Beveridge, 2016

One of the most selfless moments of the 21st century so far was when Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge called injured skipper Bob Murphy to the stage and placed his Jock McHale Medal around his neck. It will go down in football folklore, even after Murphy handed the medal back later. It now sits in the Bulldogs’ museum at the Whitten Oval.

9. “THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKIN’ ABOUT.” - Shane Crawford, 2008

Hawthorn great Shane Crawford waited longer than any other AFL player to taste premiership success. When he stepped up to receive his 2008 premiership medal, he let out a catchphrase that became a part of his fabled story: “That’s what I’m talkin’ about.”

10. “RACISM HAS A FACE. IT’S A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL” - Adam Goodes, 2013

The morning after being taunted by a young supporter, who turned out to be a 13-year-old girl, Adam Goodes spoke of his anguish at what had happened during Sydney’s 47-point win over Collingwood at the MCG. He told the media: “Racism has a face. It’s a 13-year-old girl.” He later explained the girl called him to apologise and he urged others to support her. While his comments highlighted the need for continued education on racial tolerance, on a personal level, Goodes paid an unfair and heavy price with the boos of the crowds that followed.

Adam Goodes calls out a fan for making a racist comment. Picture: AFL Media

AND TWO MORE QUOTES WE COULDN’T RESIST BECAUSE THEY MAKE US SMILE

* “If Jarrad Grant’s not the best player after them (No. 1 pick Matthew Kreuzer and No. 2 Trent Cotchin), then I’ll swim to Williamstown from here.” — Bulldogs recruiter Scott Clayton after the 2007 draft. Grant, taken at pick 5, was chosen ahead of Patrick Dangerfield (10), Cyril Rioli (12) and Alex Rance (18).

* “I shouldn’t say this in front of the cameras, but it’s very, very difficult to see where we’re going to lose a game.” — Mick Malthouse’s light-hearted forecast before Carlton’s 2015 season. The Blues finished bottom of the ladder and Malthouse was replaced during the year.

Originally published as Leigh Matthews, Paul Roos and Mark Williams feature in the best quotes of the 21st century