If there’s one thing Mick Godden remembers about Neil Kerley’s coaching rev-ups, it is this.
“He always said ‘never hesitate’,” Godden said.
“Every time he spoke to me, he said ‘never hesitate, when it’s time to go, you go, don’t wait for anything’.
“That was always something I hung onto when I was a player and I try to pass that on with my coaching.”
The Crows SANFL Senior Coach is preparing his side for this year’s Neil Kerley Memorial Match against West Adelaide, which will be hosted at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
The inaugural tribute match against the Bloods - the State League team Kerley coached and Godden featured in 89 games for - was played in Murray Bridge last year.
Kerley, who passed away in June 2022, had a profound impact on both Adelaide and West Adelaide.
He led the Bloods to SANFL flags in 1961 (as captain-coach) and 1983 (coach), before playing a vital role in the Crows’ entry into the AFL, as the inaugural Football Manager.
Godden, who had Kerley as his first League coach at the Bloods, said he would draw on the SA football great’s legacy ahead of the special match.
“I think it’s really important that our younger AFL players and our development players learn about the people who have come before us,” Godden said.
“This is a great opportunity to share some knowledge about the impact Neil had on myself and the footy Club and keep his legacy alive.
“In the team meeting prior to the game which will be on Saturday this week, we will have a photo of Neil and talk about his influence on the Club.
“He had a huge influence on not only our footy Club, but football in Australia and in particular South Australia and he’s very much deserving of this tribute.”
Adelaide enters the match just one win and percentage out of the top five, following triumphs against North Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens.
This week's match will be played as a curtain raiser to the Crows’ Round 22 AFL game against the Western Bulldogs, which kicks off at Adelaide Oval at 3.40pm.
Godden said the side was looking forward to starting the day off for the Club.
“I’ve been really proud of the group because we’ve chopped and changed a lot in the past few weeks but we’ve been able to perform,” Godden said.
“When we play the double-headers we feel a lot of responsibility to make sure the team and the Club starts the day well.
“We talk about that quite a lot and how it’s important that when the AFL players get there, they see a really good brand of footy and one they can be proud of.
“We hold that responsibility in high regard and we must make sure we start in the right manner.”
The Neil Kerley Memorial Match between Adelaide and West Adelaide starts at 12.10pm.
