King’s Birthday footy fest a treat for SANFL fans

By SANFL Media

The King’s Birthday long weekend will give footy fans plenty to cheer about with blockbuster footy rivalry and a festival flavour at Hostplus SANFL League match days.

The four matches in Round 9 will culminate in the SANFL Super Match between arch rivals Sturt and Norwood at Thomas Farms Oval, Unley on Monday June 10.

As the Double Blues and top-of-the-table Redlegs prepare to square off in front of an anticipated crowd of more than 7,000 people in the ‘Trims Cup’ clash from 2.30pm, SANFL and Sturt Football Club have teamed with MND South Australia to raise money in support of people diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The ‘Dunk Me for MND’ challenge will see past players, including Sturt greats Greg Whittlesea and Chris Thredgold and Norwood’s Michael Aish, as well as Channel 7’s Gertie Spurling, step up and take the challenge of being dunked by fans into a tank of icy cold water in support of MND SA.

SANFL CEO Darren Chandler said this weekend’s footy fest was a great opportunity to leverage off the ‘Big Freeze’ at the MCG for the annual King’s Birthday blockbuster between Melbourne and Collingwood, to help create awareness and support South Australians living with MND.

“Together with Sturt Football Club, we’re aiming to draw a huge crowd on the King’s Birthday holiday for the Hostplus SANFL League blockbuster between the two arch rivals,” he said.

“At the same time, it’s a chance to provide some fun-filled entertainment for the fans while helping to highlight and support the outstanding work of MNDSA in assisting and caring for many South Australians and their families whose lives are impacted by Motor Neurone Disease.”

Also on Monday will be the ‘10K at the Bay’ match day featuring the Glenelg v North Adelaide clash at Stratarama Stadium from 2.10pm, with the chance for fans to win $10,000 in the Adrien Brian Kia $10K Kick for Cash.

The Round 9 action kicks off on Saturday with South Adelaide hosting Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium from 1.10pm and Woodville-West Torrens taking on Central District at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval in the Seven broadcast game starting at 2.10pm.

Match tickets can be pre-purchased online in the links below – Adults $18 online/$20 at gate; Concession $11 online/$12 at gate; U18s FREE

Find out what’s on at each SANFL home match venue for the Hostplus SANFL League this long weekend:

Flinders University Stadium – Lovelock Drive Noarlunga

Reserves: South Adelaide v West Adelaide | 10:20am

Hostplus SANFL League: South Adelaide v Adelaide | 1:10pm

Hostplus SANFLW League: South Adelaide v Glenelg | 3:50pm

• ‘Magain Open House game’ with FREE ENTRY for everyone, thanks to Magain Real Estate
• One Sneeky Cheetah pizzeria pop-up stall
• Hither & Yon pop-up wine bar
• Enjoy the action with deck chairs in the Panthers Pocket
• Old Macdonald’s Travelling Farm – pat, cuddle and hand-feed a variety of animals
• Jumping Castles

FREE ENTRY, NO TICKET REQUIRED

Maughan Thiem Kia Oval – Oval Ave, Woodville South

Reserves: 11:30am

Hostplus SANFL League: 2:10pm

• Goodlife Health Clubs promotion with a chance to win a 12-month gym membership
• Kids zone and jumping castle
• Rival Brothers coffee cart
• Live broadcast on Seven and 7plus

Stratarama Stadium – Brighton Rd, Glenelg

Reserves: 10:30am

Hostplus SANFL League: 2:10pm

• Adrien Brien KIA $10k Kick for Cash – pre-purchase a match day ticket online for automatic entry and the chance to kick a footy into the Adrien Brien wheelie bin. Glenelg FC and North Adelaide FC members can also register online at the link here
• Free Footy for Friends – members of GFC and NAFC can bring a friend FOR FREE by showing their membership at the gate
• Pop-up bars and food vendors, including Threefold Distilling
• Family Zone by the Margaret Messenger gates, off Rugless Tce.

Thomas Farms Oval – Trimmer Tce, Unley

Reserves: 9:50am

Hostplus SANFLW League: 12:20pm

Hostplus SANFL League: 2:30pm

Kick n Sip Festival, supported by the City of Unley, from 11am

Trimmer and Oxford terraces will be partially closed and transformed into a food and wine festival with food trucks (pizza, seafood, paella and desserts) and pop up wine and gin bars from Farmer’s Leap Wines and Needle and Pin Spirits. DJ LEZEN from Fresh FM will also be spinning tunes. The Kick n Sip Festival is included in the cost of a match day ticket.

Inside the ground, the SANFL Super Match, presented by The Advertiser, will feature a range of activities for all ages:

The Advertiser Family Zone: Fun activities like putt putt, giant chess, giant Jenga, corn hole and Connect 4.
AAMI Lucky Zone: Win a $100 food and beverage voucher to enjoy on the day

Adelaide’s Finest Friendly Family Area: Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Playground and free fruit for kids.

SANFL Bean Bag Zone: Kick back and relax in style with SANFL branded bean bags and lounges

Blue Brick Road: children can grab a map and follow the Blue Brick Road to collect great prizes

Sherrin Footy Voucher Giveaways: available throughout the day

McDonald’s Promotion: Footy giveaways at the inflatable ‘M’

Mega Rewards Promotion: Go in the draw to win a Klipsch Entertainment System valued at $11,000

MND SA ‘Dunk Me for MND Challenge’

MNDSA #nevergiveup beanies, socks and other merchandise will be available to purchase at the MNDSA marquee in the SANFL Super Match family zone at the northern end of the oval.

Donations to MNDSA can be made on match day by scanning the QR codes displayed around the ground, or visit the MNDSA website, will all proceeds going directly to support South Australians with MND.