Ex-South Adelaide captain joins Southern District cricketers in raising money for KI bushfires

Former South Adelaide captain Brad Crabb digs deep with ex-Panthers teammates and Southern District cricketers to raise money for his boyhood home, Kangaroo Island, amid bushfires.

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Disbelief and sadness.

Those are the emotions former South Adelaide captain and Kangaroo Island product Brad Crabb felt when he looked at heartbreaking images of his boyhood community as devastating bushfires ripped through homes, farms and wildlife habitat.

“I was in a bit of disbelief, really,” Crabb, who played 213 league games for the Panthers before retiring the end of last season, said.

“My old football club, Western Districts, burnt down, so I’d like to help them rebuild.

“A couple of guys have lost their farms – the whole lot – their house, shed, everything. It’s pretty devastating.

Former South Adelaide Brad Crabb and Southern District Cricket Club skipper Josh Barrett will join forces to play a T20 cricket match to raise money for those in need after the Kangaroo Island bushfire. Picture: Matt Loxton

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“It brings a tear to the eye, some of the photos of the houses, the football club and the animals.

“It’s just not good at all, it’s very sad.”

Crabb was born on KI and spent the first 18 years of his life there before moving to Adelaide to pursue football.

His mother Nanette lives in Kingscote with her partner and fortunately, their property was untouched by the fierce flames.

But two of his mates were not so lucky as their farms burned in the fires on the southeast that started on December 20.

Yet while hit with a sense of helplessness as each harrowing update rolled in, Crabb has vowed to make a difference by fronting in a footballers-versus-cricketers Twenty20 bushfire relief match next week.

Crabb will join ex-South teammates next Tuesday January 21 when they play Southern District Cricket Club in a Twenty20 clash to raise much-needed funds for those affected by the Kangaroo Island bushfires.

A koala named Robert with his paws bandaged is held by a vet nurse as he receives treatment after the Kangaroos Island bushfires. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Former West Indian Test and One Day captain Carl Hooper, who coaches Southern, Worcestershire wicketkeeper Ben Twohig and 2018/19 Victorian Team of the Year player Sunam Gautam form part of the Stingrays’ XI.

Crabb said he would be “a bit rusty” on the cricket pitch but hoped the community would get behind the cause.

“This is my way to be able to help the island rebuild,” Crabb, 32, said.

“It’s been pretty hard to watch everything go on and not be able to help.

“My mum ended up having a couple of people stay over while the fires were burning and helped out where she could.

“We need as many people there as we can get to raise money for those in need on Kangaroo Island.”

A gold coin donation will be required on entry, while there will also be raffles and silent auction items with all proceeds going to the KI bush fire appeal.

Southern District captain Josh Barrett will line up with the Stingrays and was also keen to help raise as much money as possible.

“It’s a great cause,” Barrett said.

“It’s hard to believe, it’s so bad that it’s hard to fathom.

“We’ve had a few from KI play with us in previous years so it’s good both clubs can come together and help.

“Anything we can do to help – this is so minimal – two or three hours playing cricket to raise money for them is pretty easy.”