Neil Kerley named coach of West Adelaide Team of the Centuries

SUCH was the impact Neil Kerley had on West Adelaide, he has been named captain-coach of clubs’ Team of the Centuries.

Neil Kerley, right, remonstrates with Neil Hawke of West Torrens as umpire Ken "KG" Cunningham intervenes.

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THE incredible influence of Neil Kerley at the West Adelaide Football Club was recognised on Friday night when named captain-coach of the Bloods’ Team of the Centuries.

An Australian Rules legend, Kerley was selected at ruck rover in the illustrious team which celebrates the greats of the club from its debut in the SANFL in 1897 to 2017.

The team also includes former Bloods’ champions Bruce McGregor, Richard Head, Mark Mickan and Doug Thomas.

“Neil Kerley said at selection it’s only a great team if champion players miss out,” Bloods president and selector Lee Harradine said.

“And it is a great team.

“It took many hours and many opinions to come up with the side. It was a great exercise and fantastic for the club.”

Neil Kerley flies for a mark against Sturt at Unley Oval.

The selection committee included Kerley and Grantley Fielke and to be eligible players had to appear in 50 games for the Bloods. That ruled out Tony Modra, Shaun Rehn, Tyson Edwards and Mark Ricciuto.

They also had to play more games for the Bloods than a rival club, costing Tom Leahy and Mark and Fos Williams a spot.

Players were selected in positions they played.

WEST ADELAIDE TEAM OF THE CENTURIES

Former West Adelaide captain Leon Grosser.

FP: Edgar Bennetts (1927 premiership, six-times leading goalkicker)

FF: Rogers Luders (1983 premiership, six-times leading goalkicker)

FP: Leon Grosser (1983 premiership, 1992 club champion, former captain)

HF: Robert Day (three-times club champion, 1966 All Australian, former captain)

CHF: Bruce McGregor (1927 premiership, five-times club champion, 1926 leading goalkicker, dual Magarey Medallist)

HF: Geoff Morris (1983 premiership, former vice-captain)

Wing: Jack Lynch (1952 club champion)

C: Richard Head (1909 Magarey Medal, four premierships, six-times club champion)

Geoff Morris in 1977.

Wing: Grantley Fielke (1985 Magarey Medal, 1990 club champion, 1983 premiership)

HB: Bernie Smith (1947 premiership, 1947 club champion, 1951 Brownlow Medal)

CHB: Brian Faehse (1947 premiership, twice club champion, former captain/coach)

1962 Magarey Medallist Ken Eustice.

HB: Ken Eustice (1961 premiership, 1962 Magarey Medal, former state captain)

BP: Colin Brown (1947 premiership, twice club champion, leading goalkicker 1953, former captain)

FB: Doug Thomas (1961 premiership, former captain/coach)

BP: Jeff Bray (1961 premiership, 1960 leading goalkicker, twice club champion)

1R: Mark Mickan (2015 premiership coach, former captain, four times club champion)

RR: Neil Kerley (1961 premiership, four times club champion, 1961 All Australian vice-captain, former captain/coach)

Rover: William Dowling (four premierships, twice club champion, 1913 leading goalkicker)

Jason Porplyzia during the 2015 grand final win. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Interchange: Colin Smith (1947 premiership, 1938 club champion, former captain, former state captain)

Bob Loveday (twice club champion, twice leading goalkicker, former captain)

Ryan Ferguson (four times club champion, former captain)

Jason Porplyzia (2015 premiership, twice club champion)

Emergencies: Peter Meuret (1983 premiership, 1978 leading goalkicker)

Rodney Pope (1964, 1968 club champion)

James Tierney (1908 Magarey medallist, two premierships, former captain)

Robert Snell (1929 Magarey Medal, 1927 premiership, twice club champion, former captain)