Panthers clear the pickets for KI

By ZAC MILBANK

Big names are gathering as South Adelaide prepares to tackle Southern District in Tuesday night’s Kangaroo Island Bushfire Fundraiser to be played at Bice Oval.

The Panthers may be more adept at kicking a Burley but they will be fielding a side featuring Test swingman and Redbacks star Chadd Sayers as well as former South Australian Shield players Trent Kelly and Tom Plant at the Christies Beach venue.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, new South assistant coach Ben Warren refused to talk up his cricketing prowess despite being an accomplished allrounder and life member of the Langhorne Creek Cricket Club.

Warren will be captained by South spearhead Sam Overall while Magarey Medallist Joel Cross will play a vital role with the bat as well as behind the stumps alongside Statewide Super League coach Jarrad Wright and star recruit Matthew Broadbent.

Play begins from 5pm for the T20 clash between the Panthers and Stingrays, who will have two former international stars lining up in West Indian great Carl Hooper (SDCC Coach) as well as former South African spinner and ex-Strikers captain Johan Botha.

Entry is via a gold coin donation, while funds will also be raised for the Kangaroo Island Mayoral Relief and Recovery Fund through a live and silent auction being conducted on the night.

Plenty will be riding on every ball considering for every six hit by the the Panthers, the club will donate $100 to the Western Disricts Football Club, for every six hit by the Stingrays, a South Adelaide player will donate $50, and for every dropped catch by a Panther player $25 will also be donated.

The Western Districts Football Club, affectionately known as ”The Wonks” to Islanders, had its clubrooms destroyed in the devastating fire.

One of its favourite sons, retired SANFL 200 Club Member Brad Crabb is determined to earn as much extra cash as possible for his junior club when he dons the pads for the Panthers.