When Graham Johncock kicked the goal to put Adelaide in front with five minutes to play in last year’s Preliminary Final, he thought he’d finally secured that elusive Grand Final berth.

“I thought we were over the line,” Johncock said.

But it wasn’t to be. Hawthorn kicked the next two goals and the Crows were resigned to a heartbreaking five-point defeat. It was Johncock’s 16^th and last final.

“As we all know in finals footy, you’ve got to play right to the line and we just got pipped at the post,” said Johncock, who announced his retirement from AFL effective immediately on Monday.

“As footballers, we all strive for that premiership but it didn’t happen for me. I played in four losing prelims … so close.

“But I guess not everybody gets the fairytale finish they’d like.”

Johncock’s clutch goal in the dying stages against the Hawks was just one example of why he was regarded as a ‘big-game player’ at West Lakes. He excelled on the big stage, including in heated Showdown contests – he won the Showdown Medal for best on ground in 2005.

Outside of finals, Johncock regards a few significant milestones as his most memorable moments.

“I grew up supporting the Crows and idolising Andrew McLeod,” he said.

“To carry Andrew off on my shoulders in his milestone games was pretty special. Playing my own milestone games was pretty good too.”

Johncock accepts he’ll never be part of an AFL premiership team. But he’s confident he leaves behind a group of players and coaches capable of delivering the Club it’s third flag.

“The boys have had a challenging year … but we’ve got a young group that is very focused and driven. They want to have success,” Johncock said.

“I firmly believe last year was no fluke. With the young group coming through, they can support the older guys and it definitely can happen.”