In 1923, passionate South Adelaide supporter Charlie Knuckey donated a silver cup to be awarded annually to the best and fairest player in the league team.

The first award was made to Dan Moriarty who had previously won three consecutive Magarey Medals, still the only SANFL player who has achieved this.

Many champions since have had their names etched into South Adelaide's highest individual honour, including the likes of Frank Tully, Jim Deane, Peter Darley, Mark Naley, David Kappler, Nick Liddle and Joel Cross.

Darley won the Cup seven times, the most of any player, with Deane not far behind him with six.

The Knuckey Cup is the oldest award of its type in the SANFL, having now has been presented for over 90 years, but what of the man behind it?

Charles Kingscote Knuckey was born in 1888, the fourth of five children to John and Louisa Knuckey, of Kensington Gardens. He died in in the North Eastern Community Hospital, Campbelltown in 1988, just two weeks short of his 100th birthday. Nora, his wife of 70 years died two weeks later.

Early Years

Charlie's father died when Charlie was an infant and his mother struggled bringing up the family. They moved to West Terrace where she took in boarders.

As a youngster Charlie watched the West Adelaide Football Club train on the parklands opposite his home, but after being taken to a game between South and Norwood, the dominant teams of the early SA competition, he became a passionate South Adelaide supporter. South had won seven premierships between 1866 and 1900.

Charlie played in South's junior grades but was small and slight and never made the senior team. However he was friendly with many of the players and often carried their boots when they played in the South Parklands. He developed a lifelong interest with the Panthers and sport in general.

War Service

In 1908 he took a job as a commercial traveller with the SA Paper Bag Co. but this budding career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Great War.

Charlie enlisted in 1914 and served in the medical corps in Egypt, Gallipoli, France and England.

Returning home in 1918 he renewed his association with South Adelaide.

In 1919 he married Nora Drury whom he had met in England and they had two sons, Kim and Richard and a daughter.

Commercial Traveller

Charlie had an early interest in motoring and established the Knuckey Rubber and Tyre Co. in Grenfell St, specialising in tyre sales and repairs. He was one of the very early SA drivers with a licence number comprising only three figures. Charlie worked as a commercial traveller (travelling salesman) for most of his working life regularly driving as far afield as Eyre Peninsula and Broken Hill. He enjoyed driving and his many cars, and bought his last new car at the grand old age of 93.

He also kept an aviary where he bred finches, and played kettledrum in the Caledonian Society pipe band. He had a strong affinity with Kangaroo Island where his mother was born she had given him the second name Kingscote.

Career with South Adelaide Football Club

Over his lifetime Charlie occupied almost every position on South Adelaide committees. He witnessed the 1935, 1938 and 1964 premierships and shared his passion for South Adelaide with his family. After the 1964 Grand Final, Charlie's son Kim bought a keg of beer for his neighbours in Felixstowe, mostly Norwood supporters with some winnings wagered on the match.

During his time at South he tried particularly to protect South's recruiting zones, which had suffered in the electorate system introduced at the turn of the 20th century, and again in the 1970's redistribution.

Football Publications

In 1960 he published a booklet History of the South Adelaide Football Club which ran to only 16 pages but is a concise account to that time. He also edited a 180-page book South Australian Football the Past and the Present; 1860-1965

Charlie personally presented the Knuckey Cup until his death, only absence or illness could prevent him from doing so. His grandson Brett Knuckey, a volunteer remedial massage therapist at the Club, has continued this tradition since Charlie's death.

Charlie Knuckey was the sort of person that football clubs depend and thrive on. He devoted much of his private time to South Adelaide over his long life and is fittingly remembered in the award which he inaugurated and bears his name.

Randal Williams
SAFC Heritage Committee

Panthers stars Brett Eddy, Brede Seccull and Tom Fields have been rewarded for their stellar play in 2016 with selection in the 2016 Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Brett Eddy spearheads a formidable forward line after claiming his first Ken Farmer Medal in a 2016 campaign that saw him slot 68 through the minor rounds. Brett's season tally bettered 2015 Ken Farmer Medallist Clint Alleway's total of 47 by 21 goals and included three bags of seven and a season-high haul of eight against West Adelaide in Round Three.

Brede Seccull enjoyed a breakout season in his fourth year in Noarlunga. The big-bodied midfielder averaged 23 touches per game, including a purple patch through the middle of the season that saw him claim four best on grounds in five games. His emergence in South Adelaide's engine room helped ease the workload of fellow star onballers Nick Liddle and Joel Cross.

Tom Fields shined in his return to the SANFL. After a season on Carlton's rookie list, which included two games at AFL level, "Fieldsy" brought his booming left boot and versatile game back to Hickinbotham Oval and enjoyed arguably his best year in the famous blue and white. Tom is now a 50-game player with the Panthers and his raking left leg is a fan favourite storming out of defence.

Named in the initial squad of 40, four-time Advertiser Team of the Year Member (2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015) Joel Cross was an unlucky omission from this year's final 22.

2016 Magarey Medallist Zane Kirkwood was named as Team of the Year captain, with Eagles skipper Luke Thompson named as his deputy.

Sturt mentor Martin Mattner was selected as coach. 

FINAL 22

F: Travis Schiller (CD), Brett Eddy (SA), Mark Evans (S)
HF: Josh Scott (G), Kory Beard (S), Justin Hoskin (CD)
C: Kane Mitchell (PA), Zane Kirkwood (S), Nick O'Brien (WWT)
HB: Jarred Allmond (WWT), Fraser Evans (S), Matthew Goldsworthy (WWT)
B: Patrick Giuffreda (WWT), Luke Thompson (WWT), Tom Fields (SA)

R: Sam Baulderstone (N), Chris Jansen (CD), Jared Petrenko (WWT)
INT: Cameron Ellis-Yolmen (A), Brede Seccull (SA), James Battersby (S)

CAPTAIN: Zane Kirkwood (Sturt)
VICE-CAPTAIN: Luke Thompson (Woodville-West Torrens)
COACH:   Martin Mattner (Sturt)

SQUAD MEMBERS

Adelaide:  Reilly O'Brien, Harrison Wigg, Jonathan Beech
Central District: Luke Barmby, Luke Habel, Nick Holman
Glenelg:  Christian Howard, Willie Rioli, Terry Milera
North Adelaide:  Jordie McKenzie
Port Adelaide:  Luke Reynolds, Steve Summerton
South Adelaide:  Joel Cross
Sturt: Jack Stephens, Aidan Riley
West: Adelaide Chris Schmidt
Woodville-West Torrens:  Chris Hall, James Boyd, Lachlan McGregor

U16 Girls

South Adelaide vs Norwood
Grand Final - Peter Motley Oval - 18/09/16

South Adelaide	5.8	38
Norwood	3.1	19

South Adelaide's Under-16 girls have claimed the 2016 Macca's Talent Shield Premiership.

The Panthers junior girls took out their first Grand Final win after defeating Norwood by 19 points at Peter Motley Oval on Sunday afternoon.

However, the match was not without controversy.

Midway through the second quarter, with the Panthers holding a handy 45 to 12 lead, it became apparent that a muddled quartertime interchange had left the Panthers with 19 players on the field.

The Redlegs called for a headcount, and once it was realised South had too many players on the field, their score was reset to 0.0.

The setback put a dampener on a red hot start from the Southern Conference champions, which saw them kick 5.0 in the first and surge to a commanding lead. It should be noted that the Panthers first quarter lead was established with the legal 18 players on the field.

However, the girls in blue and white were not fazed by the challenge of regaining the lead and continued their dominance in the second half, running out eventual 19-point winners.

The win sees South Adelaide's junior girls finish their campaign undefeated and claim a maiden Premiership after falling two-points shy in last year's decider against Woodville-West Torrens.

Watch the full match highlights

 

South Adelaide's U16s girls are set for Grand Final action as the 2016 Macca's Talent Shield comes to a conclusion this Sunday.

The Panthers girls have secured a place in their second consecutive Grand Final, after winning all three of their minor round games and finishing top of the Southern Conference. South will face Northern Conference champions Norwood from 1.30pm at Peter Motley Oval this Sunday.

The Club's U14s will also be in action from 12.00pm in a consolation play off against, also against the Redlegs.

For the past three weeks hundreds of girls across SA have been competing in the Under-14 and Under-16 competitions under Northern and Southern Conferences.

More than 350 girls registered for this year's Macca's Talent Shield, with a league-high 65 involved in the South Adelaide program.

Panthers SANFL League star Tom Fields has also been working as the Club's Macca's Talent Shield co-ordinator.

Courageous Cross: Panthers vice-captain Joel Cross fought to the very end in his side's Semi Final loss to Adelaide. Image: SANFL

Seniors Report

South Adelaide vs Adelaide
Semi Final - Adelaide Oval - 11/04/16

South Adelaide	4.1	4.2	7.6	13.8	86
Adelaide	4.0	8.4	16.6	22.8	140

Goals: McMahon 4, Eddy 3, Overall 2, Cross, Bass, Rose, Barnes
Best: Rose, Cross, Bass, Rankine, S. Taylor, Gulden

South Adelaide's 2016 season has come to an end after suffering a 54-point loss to Adelaide in their Semi Final clash at Adelaide Oval.

The Panthers held a slim one-point lead at the first break, but could not match a Crows side, which was sporting 21 AFL-listed players for the first time since entering the SANFL, through the final three quarters.

Looking for redemption from last weekend's Qualifying Final loss to Sturt and a spot in a second Preliminary Final in three years, South Adelaide were on song early, pushing their first quarter lead to as much as 19 points thanks to early goals from Sam Overall, Daniel Bass, Brett Eddy and Joel Cross.

However, Adelaide shrugged off their slow start, turned up the pressure late in the first term and would go on to boot 10 unanswered goals to give themselves a 26-point advantage at halftime.

Such was the Crows pressure, they held the Panthers to just three inside 50s and a single behind in the second quarter.

Back-to-back goals to Jackson McMahon, who would finish with four for the afternoon, gave South some life midway through the third, but Adelaide answered quickly through Riley Knight and West Adelaide premiership forward Jonathon Beech, who kicked his fifth and sixth major of a seven goal haul to nullifying any chance of a Panthers comeback.

Vice-captain Matt Rose gave his everything in a gutsy four-quarter performance in defence, amassing an impressive 40 disposals and 13 marks across halfback (both game highs), as well as sneaking forward for a goal late in the fourth quarter.

Similarly, dual Magarey Medallist Joel Cross did not say die all afternoon, battling hard for 31 touches, seven clearances and a goal against Adelaide's big-bodied engine room.

Daniel Bass fought admirably despite giving up much size against the Crows talls, while Matt Rankine showed patches of his dazzling pace and silky skills and Adam Gulden (18 possessions) and Scott Taylor (17 and five tackles) were also amongst the Panthers best.

Check out the full Semi Final highlights

 

U16 Girls

South Adelaide vs Sturt
Round Three - City Mazda Stadium - 11/09/16

South Adelaide	5.3	7.7	13.9	17.10	112
Sturt	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	1

 Goals: T. Bohnsack 5, J. Wise 4, H. Smith, S. Forbes 2, L. Hayes, S. Hissey, M. Worsley, M. McKinnon

U14 Girls

South Adelaide vs Sturt
Round Three - City Mazda Stadium - 11/09/16

South Adelaide	1.2	2.2	2.5	4.7	31
Sturt	1.0	1.3	2.4	3.4	22

Goals: S. Noble 2, T. Charlton, K. Russell

 

South Adelaide vs Adelaide
Round Five - 2015 - Hickinbotham Oval

South Adelaide	5.4	9.5	12.6	13.12	90
Adelaide	0.2	7.5	10.8	11.10	76

Goals: Cross 3, Overall, Murphy, Eddy, Liddle 2, Veide, Rolfe
Best: Cross, Liddle, Gotch, Crabb, Daniel, Veide

Two week's ago we made history against Adelaide's SANFL team as we completed a 10-0 sweep at Hickinbotham Oval for the first time. This week we look back at another historic win against the Crows.

It was Round Five of the 2015 SANFL season and the ladder-leading Panthers were hosting the ninth-placed SANFL Crows at Hickinbotham Oval.

Since joining the competition in 2014, the Crows had claimed the chocolates in both of the two sides previous encounters.

However, in their third ever trip to Noarlunga, Adelaide were dealt a masterclass midfield display from Joel Cross and co.

3 Votes, J. Cross: Cross put on a clinic in our first ever win over the Crows. Image: Nick Hook Photography.

The eventual 2015 Magarey Medallist laid claim to 26 possession and kicked three influential goals in a best on ground display that was not only recognised by his coaches, but also the day's umpires, who handed him the maximum Magarey Medal votes.

Also enjoying strong games were the likely suspects of Nick Liddle (team-high 31 touches and two goals) and Xavier Gotch (28 disposals) in the midfield.

Meanwhile, the games of Brad Crabb, Nathan Daniel and Jake Veide do not jump off of the pages statistically, but they all played important roles in the Panthers shrugging off their Crows hoodoo.

Check out the game highlights here

This Sunday we hope to continue our recent good form over the Crows and claim our place in the Preliminary Final.

Make sure you get to Adelaide Oval to cheer the boys on!

For this week's Match Preview - click here

For this week's Teams - click here

For Finals ticket information - click here

#FightOnForever

South's Semi Final Showdown!

This Sunday South Adelaide face Adelaide Crows SANFL team in a do-or-die Semi Final at Adelaide Oval from 12:10pm.

Semi Final: 12:10pm, Sunday 11 September at Adelaide Oval
Gates: open at 11:45am
Aftermatch: 3:30pm, Phil Ridings Bar, Level 2, Western Stand
Tickets: Adult $15, Concession $10, Under-18s FREE - more info here
Junior Girls: from 12:00pm, Sunday 11 September at City Mazda Stadium

Last weekend the Panthers got their 2016 finals campaign underway in the Qualifying Final against Sturt. Unfortunately, the Double Blues came away with the victory. Fortunately, the Panthers hold a double-chance and will get a second go at September glory this weekend.

Both South and Adelaide have enjoyed a successful 2016 so far, the Panthers enjoying a period atop the ladder and winning all 10 of their games at Hickinbotham Oval and the Crows qualifying for their first SANFL Finals since joining the competition - for an in-depth breakdown of this weekend's match up check out this week's Match Preview here

Further compounding the Panthers pain, they not only lost the match to Sturt last Saturday, but they also lost emerging utility Tyson Brown for the remainder of the season after the 23-year-old injured his hamstring in the opening minutes of the Qualifying Final.

Brad Gotch and co. have given themselves plenty of options to replace the versatile Brown. Coming into the 23-man squad to face Adelaide, which must be trimmed by two before the first bounce on Sunday, is the speed and excitement of Emmanuel Irra, experience and versatility of Nathan Daniel and strength and size of Alex Cailotto.

Each player has enjoyed stints with the League side in 2016 and has been in good form in the Reserves at the back end of the season.

Over the past month, Irra has averaged 27.3 touches per game, while also kicking three goals and handing out 10 score assists.

Likewise, Daniel has collected plenty of Burley across halfback over the last month (24.3 possessions a game), while Cailotto has been a rock in defence since returning from an ankle injury suffered in the seniors Round 10 battle against North Adelaide. 

Brad Gotch chats on the FIVEaa Sports Show about this weekend's clash with the Crows

Aftermatch Presentations

Can't Make it to Adelaide Oval?

If you cannot make it to Adelaide Oval on the weekend download the SAFC App for live scores, stats and radio call of the game! The SAFC App is available for free download from both the App Store and Google Play.

Meanwhile, the match will also be broadcast live on Channel 7 and streamed via 7live.com.au - make sure to set your location to SA if you are watching from interstate.
 

 

Semi Final Teams

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League

12:10pm, Sunday 11 September
vs Adelaide at Adelaide Oval

F: Seccull, Eddy, Gotch
HF: Hitchcock, Overall, Barnes 
C: Schwarz, Newell, Rankine
HB: S. Taylor, Fields, Gulden
FB: Rose, Crabb, Durdin

R: Bass, Cross, Liddle
INT: Ellison, Daniel, Irra, Cailotto, McMahon 

IN: Irra, Daniel, Cailotto
OUT: Brown (hamstring)

Win a SANFL Grand Final Roof Climb experience at Adelaide Oval

Sign up as a 2017 Panthers Member at this weekend's game and you'll not only get it at 2016 prices, but you'' also go into the draw to win a SANFL Grand Final Roof Climb experience for two at Adelaide Oval!

Come and see us in the Eastern Stand this Sunday for your chance to win!

Under-16 Girls

1:30pm, Sunday 11 September
vs Sturt at City Mazda Stadium - squad below

H. Smith, A. Thomas, D. Nicolescu, L. Downing, T. Morris, Z. Morris, T. Levy, C. Gladwin, E. Brown, L. Hamon, L. Fuller, M. Worsley, T. Bohnsack, S. Steele, C. Shaw-McMillan, B. Ramsey, B. Bosley, G. Hutchinson, J. Smith, L. Weekley, M. McKinnon, C. Schmidt, N. Bell, S. Hissey, B. Thompson, D. Grantham, N. Gore, S, Grantham, S. Forbes, K. Kramer, J. Wise, M. Walker

Under-14 Girls

12:00pm, Sunday 11 September
vs Sturt at City Mazda Stadium - squad below

C. Kennedy, K. Benson, L. Clifton, S. Noble, R. Rivalland, S. Wright, A. Dean, C. Reimann, M. Wagenknecht, K. Russell, A. Morris, N. Nolan, O. Downing, A. Moore, E. Thomas, G. Perry, K. Hill, K. Martin, R. Overall, B. Lang, B. Kraft, C. Quigley, S. Paterson, H. Lewis, I. Leon, M. Bentley, M. Taylor, N. Tydeman, H. Barrett, O. Osborne, E. Temme, T. Howden, T. Charlton

South Adelaide vs Adelaide Crows
Semi Final
12.10pm - 11/09/16

Gates open: 11.45am
Aftermatch: 3:30pm - Phil Ridings Bar (Level 2 - Western Stand)
Tickets - click here for more information

Last Time We Met

It was only a fortnight ago and the Panthers enjoyed a historic 38-point victory over Adelaide Crows State League team that saw them end the minor round with a 10-0 record at Hickinbotham Oval - the first time the club has swept their home series since moving to Noarlunga in 1995.

South set up the victory with an impressive second quarter that saw the home side kick 6.2 to 3.1 against a strong breeze and extend their advantage to 38 at halftime.

Star full forward Brett Eddy was one of the catalysts of South Adelaide's surge during the second term, kicking three goals for the quarter, including an incredible bending bomb into the breeze at the Colonnades end.

Eddy would finish the game with five majors, taking his season total to 68 and officially crowning him the 2016 Ken Farmer Medallist - 22 goals clear of next best!

He also handed off three score assists for good measure.

Buy your 2017 Membership before SANFL Grand Final day to get it at 2016 prices and go into the draw to win a Adelaide Oval Roof Climb experience at the SANFL Grand Final!

Livewire forward Rigby Barnes also got amongst the goals, kicking three for the afternoon, while Jackson McMahon took several big grabs up forward on his way to a pair of goals.

Dual Magarey Medallist Joel Cross was judged the Panthers best, racking up a game-high 31 possessions (15 contested), six clearances and a goal.

Meanwhile, big-bodied midfielder Brede Seccull (30 touches, seven tackles and two score assists) was again amongst the top performers on the ground, while Nic Schwarz (28 disposals, seven clearances and a goal) continues to go from strength to strength as he has become a key cog of the Panthers midfield.

Post-match, Head Coach Brad Gotch was full of praise for his backline, which held one of the league's most potent offences to a measly 62 points. In particular Gotch highlighted the performances of Scott Taylor and Luke Durdin, while also applauded the efforts of skipper Brad Crabb and Tom Fields, the latter who snuck forward for a goal in the first term.

The win also saw South Adelaide finish second on the ladder, which has proved vital to this weekend's clash, giving the Panthers a second chance in the finals and the opportunity to redeem their Qualifying Final loss to Sturt.

Watch all the Round 22 highlights here

Injury Update

As if taking on a strong Sturt side wasn't tough enough, the Panthers had to do so on the weekend a man down for much of the game.

Emerging utility Tyson Brown injured his hamstring in the first five minutes of the Qualifying Final and will take no further part in South's finals campaign. So early in the contest was Brown's injury, he had not yet even registered a possession.

Brown now joins a growing casualty ward in Noarlunga, which already consists of versatile tall Ben Haren (shoulder), vice-captain Tarak Redigolo (knee) and cult figure Jake Veide (knee). Meanwhile, Peter Rolfe (knee) has also yet to lace them up after injuring his ACL on the Queen's Birthday last season.

Brad Gotch talks potential replacements for Tyson Brown this weekend

 

Adelaide come into this week with several AFL-listed players potentially returning through the SANFL.

Paul Seedsman (corked buttock) and Luke Lowden (ankle) were both late withdrawals from the side that demolished Central District by 72 points in their Elimination Final, but have been listed as tests this week.

Similarly, Alex Keath (back) and Brodie Smith (concussion) are also listed as tests, however, the latter would need a clearance granted by the SANFL to be eligible to play.

Adelaide's only long term injury concern is Sam Shaw, who has been placed on the long term injury list after struggling with concussion symptoms throughout the season.

Crows veteran and former skipper Nathan Van Berlo retired from AFL action during the week, but has made clear his intention to play out the remainder of the SANFL season with the club's SANFL side.

For a full Panthers injury list - click here

For a league wide injury report - click here

Keep an eye on the website on Thursday evening this week for the full Semi Final team.

 

Looking Forward

Semi Final Shootout: South Adelaide and the Crows are the two highest scoring teams in the SANFL this season.

South Adelaide entered the Finals full of confidence and form, having won their last five games, including victories over fellow September participants Central District, Sturt and Adelaide.

However, Sturt were able to stifle the Panthers trademark run and carry in their Qualifying Final clash, holding them to their second lowest score of the season and strangling them into a dour 27-point submission.

In contrast, the Crows were seemingly floating across the surface at Adelaide Oval as they comprehensively eliminated Central District to the tune of 72 points.

Boasting 18 AFL-listed players in their ranks, Adelaide were simply too strong for the Bulldogs, handling the blustery conditions better and showcasing their elite fitness and precise skills by foot and hand.

The Crows are one of the SANFL's elite ball-winning teams, averaging the second most disposals per game (354), which they quickly transition into scoreboard pressure - first in the competition in inside 50s per game (46.3), scoring shots per game (24) and second in total points scored in 2016 (1651) and points per game (91.7).

The presence of Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Harrison Wigg and Mitch Grigg was evident in the clinches against the Bulldogs, while former Central forwards Wayne Milera and Troy Menzel, as well as West Adelaide premiership player Jono Beech and former basketballer Hugh Greenwood were game winners up forward.

Danger Man: Adelaide's Cam Ellis-Yolmen (left) is amongst the 2016 Magarey Medal favourites. Image: Nick Hook Photography

South Adelaide take a more traditional path to fuel their league-leading offence.

They may not be in the top half of the league in possessions (325.1 - 6th) or inside 50s (44.7 - 6th) per game, but the Panthers midfield consists of several elite clearance winners that sees them ranked second out of the stoppages with 36.7 per game.

Meanwhile, a league-leading accuracy in front of goal, led by Ken Farmer Medallist Brett Eddy, means the Panthers can put points on the board without requiring as many repeat forward 50 entries as their opponents.

It should also not go unmentioned how strong South Adelaide's defence is.

Both the defensive work of their midfield, who hold their opponents to an average of 20.1 less touches than them per game, and their backline, led by skipper Brad Crabb, who are ranked third in the league for total points and average points per game against, is as key as the firepower the Panthers have up forward.

The Crows may boast a wealth of AFL-listed talent, but it is the Panthers that hold the bragging rights in 2016.

South Adelaide defeated Adelaide's SANFL side in both Round Six and Round 22, while also claiming a victory during the preseason at Football Park.

However, the Crows have been in rampaging form in recent weeks and their Elimination Final victory over Central District looked ominous.

On Sunday the equation is simple; win or go home.

It will be an enthralling contest between two sides that each play an exciting brand of footy.

Make sure you get out to Adelaide Oval this Sunday to cheer the Panthers on from 12.10pm!

Fight On Forever!