Ted Kerley remembers older brother Neil after tragic passing in Walker Flat

The younger brother of Neil Kerley has paid tribute to the late SA football legend after his tragic passing on Wednesday night.

An emotional Ted Kerley has paid tribute to older brother and much-loved SA footy giant Neil ‘Knuckles’ Kerley.

Kerley, a former SA captain and coach who was involved with five SANFL clubs as well as the Crows, winning four premierships, died on Wednesday night in a crash on Mallee Rd, Walker Flat in the Murraylands.

Neil Kerley in pictures: The player and the coach

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His car smashed through a fence and into a paddock just before 5.30pm.

The news has left South Australia and the national footballing world in mourning.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever get over it. I find myself breaking down whenever I think about him,” Ted Kerley said of the loss.

“You can tell from the huge reaction the impact he had on the state and football. It’s hard to put it all into words.”

Ted, now 83 years old and the only surviving Kerley sibling of six – Michael, Ronald, James (Ted), Brian and Jennifer – said he had countless fond memories of his late brother.

Ted Kerley holds a photograph of late brother Neil in action for West Adelaide. Picture: Emma Brasier

Among them were the many highlights he had as a player and coach of West Adelaide, South Adelaide and Glenelg from the 1960s to 90s.

“I don’t have too many memories of Neil when we were growing up because he was always away for work or football, but his ability is hard to forget,” Kerley – a West Adelaide life member – said.

“Right from the start he just had such an amazing skill and mind for football and I’m not sure where he got it from.

“I went to all his games at West Adelaide, then South Adelaide and then Glenelg – we followed him wherever he went.

“He’d make an amazing play, take a fantastic mark and you’d almost cry looking around at all the fans celebrating.”

Neil Kerley pictured when he was West Adelaide coach, talking with one of his players during a break in a match in August 1982.

Kerley started his career at West Adelaide in 1956, winning four best and fairests and the 1961 premiership over Norwood as captain-coach.

He then experienced premiership success as captain-coach of South Adelaide, and at Glenelg before returning to the Bloods to coach and thereafter heading to West Torrens and Central District.

Kerley was also the Crows’ inaugural AFL football manager before becoming a widely-loved and excitable media personality.

Ted said his brother was often quiet behind the scenes.

Neil Kerley boundary riding for Channel 7 during an Adelaide vs Richmond AFL game at Football Park. Picture: File

“Everyone knew him as such an animated and passionate personality but he was quiet and soft-spoken at times.

“He absolutely loved it out in Walker Flat and we’d enjoy Christmas there each year but he wouldn’t say too much unless we started chatting footy – then off he’d go, you couldn’t stop him.

“He was great - talented and so infectious. I’m just so proud of him.”

West Adelaide president Murray Forbes said Kerley’s spirit would long live on with the Bloods.

“Neil was a pioneer of football and of the Bloods – his images and words are plastered all around our club and he will continue to inspire us.”