Neil Kerley state funeral details revealed
A state funeral for South Australian football icon Neil Kerley will be held at the Adelaide Oval on July 25, the state government has announced.
Neil Kerley is chaired from the ground after coaching Glenelg to its drought-breaking 1973 Grand Final win against North Adelaide. Photo: SANFL
Acting Premier Susan Close said the service will be as much a celebration of his life as a time to mourn his passing.
There will be no limit on the number of people allowed to attend, up to the oval’s capacity, with the ceremony to be live streamed as well.
Full details of the event are still being finalised, with many AFL identities expected to attend.
“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 told reporters today.
Close said Kerley’s family was grateful to be able to share their farewell with all of 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, 88, made his mark on Australia’s home-grown football code as an outstanding player, coach, administrator and media figure.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Knuckles’, he played 276 games for West Adelaide, South Adelaide and Glenelg, and represented his state 32 times.
He also coached five SANFL clubs to a total of 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.
Kerley died on June 29 in a car accident in the Murraylands region.
He is survived by his wife Barbara and family.
– AAP
