Zane Kirkwood and Max Proud announced as Cup Ambassadors

By ZAC MILBANK

Dual Sturt premiership captain Zane Kirkwood and triple Glenelg premiership defender Max Proud have been announced as the Kia Cup Ambassadors for the 2025 Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final on Sunday. 

Kirkwood, who featured in the Double Blues’ last flag in 2017, and Proud, who has announced his retirement after suffering broken ribs and a punctured lung in the Preliminary Final, will accompany the Thomas Seymour Hill Trophy on to Adelaide Oval in the official Kia Cup Entry before the bounce of the highly-anticipated title-decider.

Dual Magarey Medallist Kirkwood forged a name for himself as one of the most decorated midfielders in the competition throughout his 223-game SANFL career, in which he also won three Fos Williams Medals as the West End State team’s best player.

Proud, who captained the Bays to their 2023 flag triumph against Sturt, finishes with 210 League games to his name whilst also representing the West End State team and featuring in Glenelg’s 2019 and 2024 premierships.

Should a Sturt player win the Jack Oatey Medal as best afield, it will be presented by the Double Blues’ 2016 Jack Oatey Medallist Jack Stephens while Glenelg’s triple premiership champion Peter Carey will present the prestigious award if a Tiger is named best afield on Sunday.