Herald Sun photographer Michael Klein nailed the shot for Jamie Elliott’s Mark of The Year contender in Thursday’s drawn Anzac Day clash at the MCG.
Elliott’s mark came on the shoulders of Essendon defender Ben McKay, with the Magpies forward making full use of the defender’s 202cm frame by putting his knees on his shoulders before taking the ball at its highest peak.
The near-perfect mark was taken in the third quarter and Elliott would then go back and kick the goal, putting an exclamation 'mark' on the memorable moment.
JAMIE ELLIOTT WITH ONE OF THE BEST GRABS YOU'LL EVER SEE!@VirginAustralia | #AFLDonsPies pic.twitter.com/YGlMXx7A98
— AFL (@AFL) April 25, 2024
Klein was set up in the vicinity of the contest and took a shot which occurred just as Elliott’s hands reached the ball. The photo was front page of the Herald Sun on Friday.
HERALD SUN front page 26/04/2024.
Speaking on SEN Mornings, Klein explained how he quickly had to change his lens to ensure he got the mark on camera from a close distance.
“Probably 95 per cent of the game you shoot on the camera with the long lens, so the 600mm lens,” Klein explained.
“I'm probably on that for Jordan De Goey kicking it and then it comes into my nearer vicinity where that camera is way too long.
“You’ve got to be searching on the ground at your feet for the other camera with the wider angle lens, you pick that up in a hurry and you just pick it up and shoot away and hope for the best.”
While his camera is hooked up to a computer, sports photographers are never really sure whether they nailed the shot in the moment.
Klein says it was a nice feeling once he saw the end product given the camera wasn’t focused on Elliott until he entered the frame late.
“You sort of are waiting,” Klein said.
“It's always nice to have a look back on the back of your camera and see it, but you see something sort of fly through the frame because you're sort of on Ben McKay, I mean it (the camera) wasn't on Jamie Elliott.
“I was waiting for Ben McKay to mark it and next thing Jamie Elliott comes flying over the top.
“It's always good to see it on the computer.”
Klein says that he’s not expecting a call from Elliott to provide him with the photo but expressed that all credit goes to the player for helping him execute his photography skills.
“He’s a very subdued character, Jamie Elliott, so I wouldn't expect that phone call,” Klein said.
“Maybe someone from the footy club might hit me up for it.
“But no, I should probably be ringing Jamie Elliott to thank him for executing his skills so I could execute mine.”
