SANFL honours 2025 Life Members

By ZAC MILBANK

SANFL is hailing the tremendous service to South Australian football of outgoing SA Football Commission Chairman Rob Kerin, who was fittingly recognised with Life Membership at the League’s Annual General Meeting at West Lakes on Tuesday night.

The Honourable Rob Kerin, who has stepped down from his role after serving with distinction as Chairman since 2020, was joined by a host of long-serving stalwarts who were feted at SANFL’s new High Performance Centre.

“Rob’s specific commitment to the continued growth and sustainability of football in South Australia and particularly his impact on football in regional communities is immeasurable,” Newly-appointed SA Football Commission Chairman Steven Trigg said.

“He started in the role as Chair days before the pandemic struck and I know that his steady leadership and guidance throughout this challenging period was incredibly important for everyone at the time.”

Prior to serving two terms as SA Football Commission Chair, Kerin was Community Football League Director from 2014 to 2020.

A passionate advocate for football clubs, and volunteers across regional areas of SA, Kerin’s strong connections to country football were fostered by his playing days, and role as club president, with Crystal Brook Football Club in the State’s mid north.

A former Premier of South Australia, Kerin will always he held in high regard by the SA football community, including SANFL staff, for his kind and genuine character.

“SANFL’s vision is to be the game loved by all South Australians and I’m so proud of the work that’s been done to ensure we have the nation’s best talent pathways, and that our competition remains the premier State League in the nation,” said Kerin, who also served as Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority Chair for the past four years.

Four incredibly loyal fan favourites earned SANFL Player Life Membership in 2025, each lining up in a combination of at least 200 SANFL League or State matches.

Ken Farmer Medallist Mitch Harvey, a 2018 premiership player with North Adelaide, reached his 200-game milestone in Round 4 after making his debut with Port Adelaide in 2014.

A fan favourite at Prospect, the strong-marking key forward earned his first West End State guernsey in 2023.

Retired Glenelg premiership captain Max Proud, who featured in three flags for the club across his 210 games since making his debut in 2012, chalked up his 200th game in Round 9.

Proud, a two-time member of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, was the Bays’ best-and-fairest in 2018 and 2022.

Triple Sturt premiership forward Josh Hone, who made his League debut in 2014, was feted by Double Blues fans in Round 13.

Earning the Rick Davies Medal as Sturt’s leading goalkicker in 2019 and 2025, the dynamic goalsneak made his West End State team debut in 2023.

North Adelaide captain Alex Spina, who made his League debut in 2014, joined his great mate Harvey when he reached his 200th game in Round 16.

The Roosters’ skipper since 2020, the reliable rebounding half-back was named vice-captain of the 2021 The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Current South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright was awarded SANFL Player/Coach Life Membership after reaching his 200-game milestone in Round 9 of the 2025 Hostplus SANFL League season. 

Wright, who is the Panthers’ longest-serving League mentor, played a total of 64 SANFL League matches – 54 for South and 10 for Woodville-West Torrens.

His 136th game in charge of the Panthers in Round 9 ensured he would qualify for SANFL Player-Coach Life Membership, which is awarded to person who has played and/or coached in not less than 200 League matches in not less than ten seasons at SANFL League Level.

Retiring SANFL Field Umpire David Sobieraj, who made his debut in 2013, reached his 200-game milestone in Round 4 of 2025.

Featuring in nine League finals, Sobieraj finished his career with a total of 211 League games whilst earning the Andrew Vickers Medallion in 2015.

In a testament to his unwavering commitment, Sobieraj was adjudged SANFLUA Most Dedicated Field Umpire in 2016 and 2017.

It’s all a numbers game for stalwart statistician Bernie McNamara, who has served two clubs with distinction for the past 27 years. 

Starting with the Glenelg Football Club in 1998, McNamara filled various roles with the Bays until 2013 including Board Member, Reserves and League Statistician, Team Manager, Trainer and Ground Announcer.

Beginning with the Adelaide Football Club in 2006, he has worked with the Crows’ SANFL and AFL programs as a statistician and analyst, a role he continues to perform at State League level.

Not a second has got past loyal North Adelaide timekeeper Rob Ramsay, who has been involved with the Roosters since 1996. 

Previously the timekeeper at Broadview Football Club, passionate North supporter Ramsay has since kept watch on the clock for a staggering 600 SANFL League matches, as well as 25 finals as a neutral timekeeper.

Only missing eight matches due to illness or holiday since his arrival at Prospect, Ramsay was fittingly awarded North Adelaide Life Membership in 2011.

Joining Woodville-West Torrens in 2008, James Trotter has played an integral role in providing the best health care for Eagles players across all grades – League, Reserves, U18, U16 and SANFLW.

Acting chiefly as the Eagles’ League physiotherapist, James has been instrumental in supporting the physical performance and recovery of all players with his exceptional expertise and calm demeanour.

Awarded Life Membership with the Eagles in 2022, James has also worked with the Australian team at the 2008, 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games.

For the first time in 2025, the League has established a SANFL Staff Life Membership recognising employees who have achieved at least 20 years of dedicated service.

SAM BLADES

Now in her remarkable 35th year with SANFL, Sam is a highly respected, valued and loyal part of the organisation.

Sam commenced her role as the receptionist for SANFL in 1989 working across Finance and Membership before moving into the Football Department where she served as secretary for 12 years across multiple football programs, umpiring, coaching, game development and community footy.

Following a break to start a family, Sam returned to SANFL in 2007 as Football Programs Administrator providing critical day-to-day operational support across multiple portfolios from umpire payments and coaching to the APY Lands competition and our talent pathways.

VASSO FESSAS

Vasso’s SANFL journey began in 1986, when she joined the League as Secretary to General Manager Leigh Whicker AM. Her title changed in 1994 to Executive Assistant in line with Leigh’s changing title as Executive Commissioner.

Vasso was later appointed to the role as SANFL’s first HR Manager in 2008 where, during a seven-year term, she was instrumental in supporting our people and our organisation which included the return to Adelaide Oval.

TODD THORNE

Starting as a regional football co-ordinator in 2005, Todd has poured his heart and soul into expanding competitions and grassroot programs, particularly in the Barossa and Lower North Regions.

In 2021, he was elevated into a team leader role within the regional Game Development for the Adelaide Plains and North Eastern Football Leagues and the Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association.

Over the past 10 years, he has made a significant contribution to women’s footy, and was instrumental in the creation of the BLGW Female Football Competition and the Northern Plains Female Football Competition.