2024 Neil Kerley Memorial Match

SANFL League Round 17: Neil Kerley Memorial Match -Sunday August 11^th 2024

Dear West Adelaide Members and Community,

We are extremely pleased to announce that this years’ Neil Kerley Memorial Match where West Adelaide play Adelaide, will now be held as a curtain raiser at Adelaide Oval ahead of the Adelaide Crows V Western Bulldogs AFL Match on Sunday August 11^th.

Given that the AFL game is on the same afternoon, the opportunity for West Adelaide to play ahead of the AFL game at Adelaide Oval is an exciting one for players and spectators.

Having successfully launched the Memorial Match in Murray Bridge in 2023, this day will enable us to include the wider AFL community and as such, provide a fitting occasion to honour Neil and his association with both teams.

President Emma Grigson says “Our commitment to our regions remains strong. West Adelaide has always drawn strong talent from the Riverlands and our games in Waikerie and Murray Bridge over the last three years is a testament to that. While playing the Neil Kerley Memorial Match on the biggest stage in South Australian football is a fitting tribute; we intend to return the to Murray Bridge in 2025 and honour Neil’s lasting legacy”.

All West Adelaide Football Club Members holding game memberships will also be eligible to stay on for the AFL Match, making for a wonderful day out with the two games being played.

The West Adelaide V Adelaide match will commence at 12.10 pm. Members who live in Murray Bridge and are interested in attending will be able to access a free bus service to and from the game.

Our commitment to our regions is evident, having played earlier this year in Waikerie, and Loxton the previous two years. Last year we were able to play Adelaide at the Imperials Football Club in our Murraylands Region, and it is our intention to return to Murray Bridge again in 2025.

“Given that the Neil Kerley tribute match was slated for the same afternoon as the AFL Round 22 match between Adelaide and Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval – it was agreed by both clubs over the past week to move the game so it could be a fitting curtain raiser to the Crows’ AFL match. This will provide both West Adelaide and Adelaide with a tremendous opportunity to honour Kerley in front of tens of thousands of fans at Adelaide Oval. SANFL, however, is committed to taking Hostplus SANFL League games to the regions and we will work with the West Adelaide Football Club to ensure the match can return to Kerley’s roots in the Murray Bridge region in the future”.  Sean Toohey, Head of Football Operations, SANFL

Further details regarding transport will be available in the coming weeks.