It’s about passion, it’s about the contest, it’s not wanting to let your team mates down, it’s SANFL League footy, they play hard, they play for the jumper,” said one of the games living legends Neil Kerley while describing with heartfelt emotion the nation’s premier State League competition in his recent advertising promotions.

So it seems only fitting that in the year we celebrate the 150th year of our nation’s greatest game, the two most traditional cross-border rivals of State League Football are set to descend upon Adelaide Oval next Saturday afternoon, transforming its tranquil, picturesque surrounds into a cauldron of truly authentic, heated interstate battle.

With state pride on the line, there will be no bigger or better stage for South Australia’s best to tackle the might of the ‘Big V’.

And who better to testify to the adrenalin that will run through each and every one of the chosen 22, who adorn the sacred ‘red jumper’ as they take to the field than the man who wore his heart, and his State - on his sleeve in 32 representative games including six years as captain.

“In my day, interstate football was the ultimate,” Kerley said. “To be selected to represent your state was an incredible feeling, and as a player you soon realised the importance of the occasion, particularly in a game against Victoria.”

Never one to hold back, Kerley stated that anything other than an unyielding determination and committed approach for such a game is unacceptable.

“These games are never easy and I hope the players who are selected understand the tradition involved, and the importance of being physically and mentally prepared for such an occasion.

“It’s no good saying ‘I hope I do well’, that’s rubbish, they’ve got to want to do well and have to believe in themselves, and every one of their team mates in that jumper.”

Whilst there may be a few new faces to the South Australian line up, Kerley has an inspiring message for those encountering the somewhat intimidating aura of the ‘Big White V’ for the first time.

“The only time I ever saw that white ‘V’ was when I crashed into it. “That’s about the only time I gave it any of my attention. “I was motivated by our jumper, not theirs.” Speaking on the imminent revival of such emotions, Kerley said ‘there’s no doubt this game will have a lot of physicality about it as well as a lot of skill, but there’s one thing for certain, the skills won’t come to the fore if the players fall short on applying that physical pressure.

“It’s one thing to be given the honour of pulling on that jumper, but at the end of the game when you take it off, it’s knowing that every one of you actually did it proud by putting your absolute heart and soul into the game.”

Although not having an official role, Kerley will be looking on in earnest next Saturday to ensure that philosophy is applied right from the opening bounce. “I certainly won’t address them prior to the game. “I’ll leave that in the hands of the coach. “But I’ll be watching their every move and if I see something which I feel needs addressing at half-time, particularly in relation to commitment, I’ll have no hesitation in speaking up,” declared Kerley, who personifies what this clash means in the context of state pride.

South Australia versus Victoria
1.40pm Saturday May 31 at
Adelaide Oval.

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