SANFL honours 2020 Life Members

By ZAC MILBANK

Three outstanding contributors to South Australian football have had their exceptional service recognised with SANFL League Life Membership at tonight’s Annual General Meeting.

Former SA Football Commissioner Richard Allen, North Adelaide board member Wayne Jeffries and long-serving SANFL solicitor Garry Palasis are now among a select group of SANFL League Life Members inducted since 1960.

Starting his administrative career with the Sturt Football Club, Mr Allen was the Double Blues’ treasurer for 15 years as well serving as the club’s SANFL League Director from 2005 to 2010.

In his past 10 years as an SA Football Commissioner, Mr Allen held roles on various committees including Finance, Marketing and the Boundaries Commission.

Mr Jeffries continuous service with the Roosters began as the club’s Under-19 team manager in 1988 before serving as North’s Zone Director and Football Director.

Awarded North Adelaide Life Membership in 1999, he rose to be the club’s Chairman from 2017 to 2019 and is now currently serving as a Director.

Since 1995, Mr Palasis has acted as SANFL’s solicitor, working areas such as industrial relations and since 2015, serving in areas such as football operations with respect to rule and regulations.

He has also held positions on SANFL’s Tribunal, Permit Tribunal and Boundaries Commission at various stages since 2006.

Dual Woodville-West Torrens premiership star Matthew Goldsworthy has fittingly joined the illustrious list of SANFL Player Life Members after playing his 200th match in Round 7 of 2020.

Now with a total of 204 SANFL League matches next to his name, Goldsworthy started his League career with the Eagles in 2008 after being recruited from the Yorke Peninsula town of Curramulka.

A member of the Eagles’ 2011 and 2020 premiership teams, he represented SANFL while lining up with the West End State team against the NEAFL in 2013.

The classy left-footer was also selected in The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year in 2013 (forward pocket) and 2016 (half-back flank).

Goldsworthy’s loyalty to the Eagles is illustrated by him starting in the Under-17s in 2007 before making his League debut in Round 18 of 2008.

Off the field, he has been working at the club, firstly as its Marketing Manager – from 2016 to 2018 – before taking on the role of Football Operations Manager, a role he has held since 2019.

North Adelaide forward and inaugural Adelaide State League coach Heath Younie is the latest addition to the list of SANFL Player/Coach Life Members. 

Featuring in 183 games for the Roosters between 2001 and 2010, Younie is a dual Barrie Robran Medallist (2002 and 2006) as well as dual leading goal kicker with 49 in 2007 and 2008.

A Life Member of the North Adelaide Football Club, he was also a member of the 2006 The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year.

Beginning his coaching career at Prospect, Younie guided the Roosters’ Under-18 team in 2011 and 2012.

Younie coached the Crows’ SANFL side for 78 matches in two stints – from 2014 to 2016 and in 2019.

Racking up a combined total of 261 games as a player and coach, he guided the Crows to their highest SANFL finishes – 3rd – in 2016 and 2019.

Dr Andrew Saies has had his supreme service to the Sturt Football Club recognised with a SANFL Merit Award.

Dr Saies has been involved with the Double Blues for the past 21 years, providing match-day medical coverage in a voluntary role as Club Doctor.

Utilising his expertise on orthopaedic advice, treatment and prioritisation, his ongoing commitment to Sturt as a leader within the club’s medical and training staff has been exceptional.

Sturt is indebted to Dr Saies for providing support and guidance to all staff members both at training and on match days for the past two decades.