- Saints legend Kevin Neale dies at 78
- Neale was a beloved figure at the club
- Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018
St Kilda opener Kevin Neale has died overnight at the age of 78.
Just a day after the passing of AFL icon Ron Barassi, the football world is once again mourning another sporting legend.
Neale, was a member of the St Kilda team that won the club’s only VFL/AFL premiership, scoring five goals in beating Collingwood by one point in 1966.
He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018.
“Known for his great physical strength as a footballer, he was also blessed with exceptional skills for a big man, which allowed him to play either as a key defender or as an attacker,” a club statement said. from St Kilda.
Kevin Neale died overnight at the age of 78 after a long health battle
The Saints legend was a member of the St Kilda team that won the club’s only premiership.
“Truly a larger-than-life character in every way, Cowboy has always been able to engage with people of different generations.”
“His health problems in recent times have been widely publicized and his teammates regularly visited him in Albury in groups.
“In difficult times his wife Georgina has always been a constant pillar of strength and the club extends its deepest condolences to her and the Neale family.
“Vale, Cowboy. »
Known as “Cowboy”, Neale was named to the club’s Team of the Century and Hall of Fame and won the club’s best and fairest award in 1973.
Neale played a then club record 256 matches and remained involved with St Kilda well after his retirement from the sport.
Neale made headlines for an incident in the 1971 final against Hawthorn, where he knocked out opponent Peter Hudson.
The big bump was discussed years later by Neale and Hudson in an interview on Fox Footy’s “Open Mike” in 2012.
Known as ‘Cowboy’, Neale was named in the club’s Team of the Century.
“It was a pretty ordinary effort,” Neale said.
“I definitely didn’t go there with that in mind.”
Hudson said he had no hard feelings toward Neale.
“Only because I wasn’t able to remember the game,” Hudson said.
