State funeral confirmed for SA footy legend Neil Kerley who died in Walker Flat car crash

The Premier has confirmed the family of football stalwart Neil Kerley have accepted his offer of a state funeral.

The Premier has confirmed the family of South Australian football great Neil Kerley have accepted his offer to hold a state funeral in his honour.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said a state funeral would give the community an opportunity to pay tribute to Kerley and reflect on his legacy and contribution to SA.

More details will be released in coming days, he said.

Kerley died when he crashed through a fence on Mallee Rd at Walker Flat, about 4km from his home, on Wednesday evening.

Investigations are continuing to discover whether the crash was caused by a medical episode.

Mr Malinauskas said it was important the state funeral was consistent with Kerley’s wishes, and his family’s.

Neil Kerley addresses the 2019 Australian Football Hall of Fame Dinner. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

“Neil Kerley was an extraordinary South Australian, I’m very grateful to be able to recognise that in a more public way,” he said.

“This is an important occasion for the Kerley family but also for the football community and South Australians.

“It was my judgment that a state funeral was an appropriate offer to be made to the family given the extraordinary legacy he leaves, but both on-field and off-field he captured the hearts of South Australians and showcased our pride as a state on many occasions, including on the big stage at the MCG among other places.

“We thank him for that service and we want to make sure that the state funeral reflects that.”

SA sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney led tributes to Kerley on Thursday, saying he was known as “the Enforcer”.

SANFL great Neil Kerley. Picture Sarah Reed

“He was a ruthless football, a very good footballer … not a tall man … he played in tall positions and he did some extraordinary things on the field,” McAvaney said.

But he was more than just a footballer, he said.

“He was an incredibly important person in the lives of many that were born around about the same time as I was in the early 1950s.

“(He was) a great South Australian footballer who transcended that with his personality and the other things that he was able to do after his football career. And of course, the coaching part was so big as well. So … he ticks a lot of boxes, and he will never be forgotten,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide on Thursday morning.

The legend’s brother Ted Kerley also remembered him in a touching tribute, while the Premier saluted the passionate and proud South Australian he described as “the embodiment of state pride”.

Neil Kerley, 88, was tragically killed in a car crash at Walker Flat on Wednesday.

Mr Malinauskas, on behalf of the state government, has extend his sympathies to his family and friends.

“South Australia has lost an icon. Australia has lost a football legend,” Mr Malinauskas said on Thursday morning.

Neil Kerley in pictures: The player and the coach

VIEW GALLERY

South Australia has lost an icon. Australia has lost a football legend

Donald Neil Kerley AM made a huge contribution to not only SA footy but Australian football, on & off the field

He was a passionate & proud South Australian, the embodiment of state pride

Vale Neil Kerley pic.twitter.com/yAlAiZDjZZ

— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) June 29, 2022

“Donald Neil Kerley AM made a huge contribution to not only SA footy but Australian football, on and off the field.

“His character and courage made him a legend among the South Australian public.

“He was a tough competitor on the field, an inspirational coach and a fantastic ambassador for football, especially State of Origin.

“To South Australians, he was a football legend – but to his family, he was so much more.”

The AFL Hall of Famer played 265 games with West Adelaide, South Adelaide and Glenelg and coached 628 games.

He represented South Australia 32 times with great distinction during his career including captaining SA to a famous win over Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1963.

Footy legend Neil Kerley at his home in Walkley Flat. Picture: Simon Cross

On Thursday morning, Mr Malinauskas told ABC Radio Adelaide he had been giving “active contemplation” to a state funeral since hearing the sad news – but that was something that would have to be discussed with loved ones “at an appropriate time”.

Vale Neil Kerley.

Forever respected as a fierce adversary of Port Adelaide and the ultimate competitor as both a player and coach.

— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) June 29, 2022

Donald Neil Kerley 🏉Kerls .
Kerls was inspirational, a leader of men , a hard fearless player & coach in the @SANFL and for @southaustralia
Kerls was a lifelong friend.
To Barb, Gail & their extended family our sincere condolences. pic.twitter.com/gAqksYb2rY

— john cahill (@jvcahill40) June 29, 2022

So sad to hear of the passing of a genuine SA footy icon. Neil Kerley was an old-school hard man who represented our state on the field, in the coaches box & in the media with great aplomb. Tough but had a sense of humour. Tragic news.pic.twitter.com/3lTnhszZkK#weflyasone
🇷🇴😔🇷🇴

— Vardy Magic (@VardyMagic) June 29, 2022

The Port Adelaide Football Club has remembered Kerley as a “giant of the game”.

“Neil was always greatly respected as a fierce adversary of Port Adelaide as both a player and coach,” the club said in a statement.

“He was the ultimate competitor who displayed skill and strength throughout the golden decades of South Australian football.

“Neil promoted the game like no other and his pride for South Australian football was legendary.”

More about South Australia's own 'https://t.co/Q5WxJC8jTI'.
📰 https://t.co/HigCOCYtNphttps://t.co/BcxSqal5kr

— South Adelaide FC (@southadelaidefc) June 29, 2022

South Adelaide remembered Kerley, its premiership captain coach as the state’s own “Mr Football” and perhaps the most recognised name in the game.

After making his Panthers debut in round 7, 1964 Knuckles would lead the Panthers to the 1964 Premiership, their first since 1938.

Probably my favourite football photo- Dad just loved him. Grip those handshakes extra tight today 🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/MHbF5FFQrU

— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) June 29, 2022

A true South Australian icon has left us. Neil ‘Knuckles’ Kerley was a giant football figure. Legendary player and coach at @SANFL club and state level, crucial contributor to the @Adelaide_FC in its infancy and fab story teller. A great
in the Australian Football Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/91Bl7dXkHX

— Keith Conlon (@KeithConlon) June 29, 2022

We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of the legendary Neil ‘Knuckles’ Kerley.

Revered and respected throughout football, his passion for the game and for South Australia made him an icon.

Our condolences are with his family, friends and the wider football community. pic.twitter.com/31kmTUuWxv

— Adelaide Oval (@TheAdelaideOval) June 29, 2022

“Up until recently, Kerley would still attend the annual 1964 Premiership reunion where he would share stories with his Premiership teammates,” the club said in a statement.

“There is no doubt that Neil Kerley has had a tremendous impact not only South Australian Football, but also the Panthers.”

Originally published as State funeral confirmed for SA footy legend Neil Kerley who died in Walker Flat car crash