Long Weekend Footy Fest Fit for a King

By SANFL Media

The scene is set for a King’s Birthday footy fest, with the long weekend of Hostplus SANFL League action culminating in a blockbuster top of the table match on Monday between Glenelg and Sturt at Stratarama Stadium.

As the Tigers and Double Blues prepare to square off in front of a potential crowd of “10k at the Bay” in the top-of-the-table clash at 2:10pm, SANFL has teamed with MND South Australia to raise money in support of people diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The SANFL Super Match at the Bay will see local media personalities, including Glenelg No. 1 Ticket Holder Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello, and past players take part in a ‘DUNK ME for MND’ challenge before the start of the League game and at the first quarter and half-time breaks.

Local schools and National Pharmacies SANFL Juniors clubs also will be involved in the dunking challenge, each donating $100 to MNDSA to dunk their principal, teacher or coach.

In addition, the Seven broadcast game from Alberton Oval on Saturday between Port Adelaide and Central District will see personalities take part in a pre-match torpedo punt contest and ice bucket challenge in support of MNDSA.

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 Glenelg Football Club, we’re aiming to draw a huge crowd on the King’s Birthday holiday at the Bay for the Hostplus SANFL League blockbuster between current ladder leaders Sturt and Glenelg,” 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.”

Round Nine of the Hostplus SANFL League kicks off on Saturday with the fourth-placed Eagles (Woodville-West Torrens) hosting third-placed Adelaide from 12:35pm at Adelaide Oval in a fitting curtain raiser to the Crows’ AFL twilight match against West Coast Eagles.

This is followed at 1:10pm with West Adelaide v North Adelaide at Hisense Stadium, while at the same time Port Adelaide hosts the Bulldogs at home.

On Sunday, all eyes will be on the 2023 Hostplus SANFL Women’s League Grand Final, with South Adelaide and Central District to face off in the much-anticipated season decider at Prospect Oval from 2:15pm.

The King’s Birthday Monday also sees South Adelaide host Norwood from 2:10pm at Flinders University Stadium in a must-win match for both the Panthers and the Redlegs.

It’s been almost a decade since close to 10,000 people came through the gates on Brighton Rd to watch Glenelg versus Adelaide in 2014 when Taylor Walker featured for the Crows’ SANFL side.

The “10K at the Bay” King’s Birthday match promises to be a crowd winner on and off the field, with a blockbuster SANFL Super Match program presented by The Advertiser including:

• A Family Zone with mini-golf, giant lawn games, face-painters, roving entertainers, inflatable footy games and McDonald’s giveaways
• AAMI Chill Out zone with deck chairs and blankets to sit back and watch the action unfold
• Quarter and half-time entertainment for the kids on ground
• Party Zone on Scoreboard Hill with pop-up Threefold Distillery gin, White Claw and Canadian Club bars
• Mobile West End/Hahn backpacks which bring the beers to you
• Food vans and barbecue
• Attaboy barber offering free haircuts throughout the day.

Three lucky fans also will have the chance to win $10K in the Adrian Brien Kia ‘Kick for Cash’ on the oval at three-quarter time of the League match – just pre-purchase match tickets online or at Glenelg FC reception by 5pm Sunday for automatic entry.

MNDSA #nevergiveup beanies, socks and other merchandise will also 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.