Former AFL stars, Div12 Ressies to clash in support of Elizabeth Football Club

A number of SA football icons and former AFL stars will clash during a major exhibition game this Friday in support of a struggling local club.

A number of SA football icons and former AFL stars will clash in an exhibition game designed to support one of local SA footy’s struggling clubs.

The Elizabeth Football Club will join forces with Marmalade and the Lockleys ‘Div 12 Ressies’ at Argana Park this Friday night for ‘the biggest game of Div 12 Ressies 2.0’, with a crowd of thousands expected.

The event, organised by the men behind Marmalade and the Div 12 Ressies – ‘Checkers’, Srey and Jim – will raise money and support for the Eagles, who are yet to win an A Grade game during the 2024 Adelaide Footy League season.

A number of major footy names including Andrew Jarman and Bernie Vince will play in the side representing Elizabeth, while Daniel Motlop and Mitch Robinson will pull on the red and blue for the Div 12 Ressies.

SA footy icon John ‘The Rat’ Platten will also return to the field for Elizabeth, his local club, as coach of the Eagles during the game.

Elizabeth Eagles football director, Tim Young with players, Julian Pontifex, club legend, John Platten, Sam Harrison and Nova and Channel 7 personality, Andrew Hayes who played for the Eagles two weeks ago. Picture: Matt Loxton

“We’re really excited, it’s something which is going to be big not just for the clubs but the area as well,” Platten said.

“It will be a lot of fun and hopefully can help us to continue to build a bit of a buzz at the club.

“Having a few superstars and big names playing in the game is going to be great as well and as a family and community club we’re welcoming anyone down to come and watch and be a part of it.”

Elizabeth remains winless at the A Grade level in division six of the Adelaide Footy League and lost to Fitzroy by a state record score of 516-0 a month ago.

While the Eagles have not seen improvement on the ladder since then, a number of past players have returned under new coach Matt Switala to boost the club and set it up for the future.

SA footy icon and current Port Noarlunga coach Andrew Jarman will pull on the boots for Friday night’s game. Picture: Sarah Reed

“We’re just looking to build this year and get some blokes back and involved,” Platten said.

“To string a couple results together eventually would be nice but at this stage we just want to make sure the club is healthy and viable.

“The committee behind Adrian Watts and footy director Tim Young is doing a fantastic job and Matt (Switala) and Dave Rogers have been great for the club as well.”

Marmalade’s ‘Checkers’ was confident the event would be a major hit after a similar game at Lockleys Oval last year drew a crowd of more than 5,000 people.

Marmalade’s ‘Checkers’ with South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas during last year’s big Div 12 Ressies game. Picture: marmalade_aus/ Instagram

“Srey actually used to play for the club and is a life member. He was telling us how they were tracking heading into the season and then the 500 point loss came so we thought if we were going to go back to Adelaide and play a game we’d do it at Elizabeth,” he said.

“Our game last year got 5,000 and we’re hoping to go bigger and better this year with some bigger events and sponsors.

“We’ve heard the club has been strapped for support so we want to help them to build that support again and get back to being strong at the senior level.”

The game will kick-off at 6.30pm on Friday.