Full house expected for Neil Kerley farewell
A big crowd is expected at Adelaide Oval today to farewell Neil Kerley, an icon of South Australian football.
Monday’s state funeral for the man affectionately known as “Knuckles” may also be watched by thousands online.
Details of the 1pm ceremony are yet to be released, but a number of AFL identities are likely to attend.
The 88-year-old died from an undisclosed medical episode ahead of a car crash east of Adelaide last month.
Acting Premier Susan Close said it would be a chance to celebrate the AFL icon.
“This will be an opportunity to hear from family and friends and celebrate what the man brought to South Australia, to our community and particularly to our great sport of Aussie rules,” Close said.
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She said Kerley’s family was grateful to be able to share their farewell with all the people who loved and respected him.
“They are looking forward to a day that they will regard as much as a day of celebration as a moment of mourning,” she said.
Kerley made his mark on Australia’s home-grown football code as an outstanding player, coach, administrator and media figure.
He played 276 games in the SANFL for West Adelaide, South Adelaide and Glenelg, and represented his state 32 times.
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He also coached five SANFL clubs to four premierships.
When the Adelaide Crows entered the AFL in 1991, Kerley was appointed their inaugural football manager as a key support figure to first-year coach Graham Cornes.
SA Football Commission chairman Rob Kerin said Kerley made a remarkable contribution to the game.
“A League Life Member, SA Football Hall of Fame Member and Australian Football Hall of Famer, Neil was a tough but fun, larger-than-life character who became one of the best-known personalities of football and the SANFL,” Kerin said.
Instead of sending floral tributes, those interested in making a donation have been asked to provide it to the non-profit organisation Legacy.
The live stream of the ceremony, which kicks off at 1pm, can be viewed at www.dpc.sa.gov.au/NeilKerley.
– AAP
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