Gathered media waited...and waited…and waited for two-time Brownlow Medallist and 2014 Australian of the year Adam Goodes to emerge from the Paul Kelly Race at the SCG to resume training with the Swans.
Most other Sydney players were on the field warming up and each time a new pair of feet appeared at the foot of the steps, the impatient media crews focused their cameras and leaned a little closer.
Buddy Franklin's emergence was greeted with disappointment.
A few Wallabies sat in the nearby Member’s Pavilion, watching on after training across the road.
Former Swans star Michael O'Loughlin sat on the sidelines.
Suddenly Goodes was walking up the race and into the sunshine.
Cameras whirred.
A little girl leaned over the fence and called out to her hero.
With the spotlight of the world on him, a relaxed Goodes gave her a hi-five and greeted her warmly.
The little girl's carer, Mill, was ecstatic.
"Oh my god, that was beautiful! I can't believe I didn't get that on camera!"
Afterwards she said the girl, Shekyla, was Goodes' biggest fan.
“I’m her carer – she’s a Kid in Care – she’s Aboriginal and Adam just adores her,” said Mill.
“I’ve had her since she was 11 months old, she’s five now, and I’ve brought her in ever since she was a baby to see Adam and when Michael was playing and now Lewis. Everyone.
“We come to all the games and she loves Adam. She adores him.”
When asked what Goodes’ simple gesture meant to her and Shekyla, Mill said: “It means the world…
“We’ve spent the last few days in tears.
“It just blew me away.”
Watch the video below to see the touching moment.
@AussieVideos pic.twitter.com/4fVnt6fEGQ
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) August 4, 2015