It was a singular moment that will undoubtedly become part of Tamworth FC folklore: "What about the time the Flying Brick scored that freak goal."
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Owen Rogers, 38 and a goalkeeper since age 14, was promoted to striker for Tamworth FC at the end of their blowout semi-final defeat of Gunnedah FC last Saturday - and then produced a sublime bicycle-kick goal in the 91st minute.
"He is a goalkeeper and he thinks he is a striker," said Rogers' teammate, Brent May, adding that the veteran keeper "justified his claims".
Rogers said of the goal: "Anyone who didn't see it, I'll tell 'em I was like a gazelle. But in real life, it was probably more like a brick."
On Saturday at Scully Park, Rogers will be in goal when Tamworth FC try to win a third-straight premiership by defeating undefeated minor premiers Oxley Vale Attunga.
The father of four is a former locksmith and alarm installer who decided to "give up crawling through a roof and try to start selling stuff".
By 2017, he was the territory and branch sales manager (NSW/ACT) for Direct Alarm Supplies, a subsidiary of Hills Limited (think Hills Hoist).
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And in January, he relocated from his hometown of Penrith to Tamworth to become manager of MME Security.
"I probably talked about a sea change for 15 years," he said. "But you have to look after your family and yourself first. So, it [the relocation] was definitely career-orientated."
Rogers' four children from a previous marriage live in Sydney and visit him on school holidays.
"This move has been great for us, and it's been great for my family: my kids absolutely love coming up," he said, adding: "The town's got everything going for it ... It just all panned out perfectly."
Rogers is engaged to Lisa Hearn, with a wedding "on the cards once we get over this beautiful pandemic".
He had a lengthy first-grade career in Sydney (his last Sydney club was Prospect United). While he played in Northern Spirit's colts team in the National Youth Cup, and had junior tours of Sweden, England and Italy.
This move has been great for us, and it's been great for my family.
- Owen Rogers
He got injured in 2016 and sat out the past three seasons, before Tamworth FC's longtime keeper Michael Gay convinced him to join the club.
"I already told them, 'If you'll have me back next year, I'm happy to re-sign,'" Rogers said.
The team who controls the middle will win the grand final, he predicted.
