St Kilda premiership hero and Team of the Century member Kevin “Cowboy” Neale has died at the age of 78.
Just a day after the confirmation of the passing of AFL legend Ron Barassi, the footy world is mourning the death overnight of another all-time great.
Neale, who was a key member of the Saints’ one and only flag from 1966, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018.
St Kilda released a statement confirming Neale’s passing.
“St Kilda Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Kevin “Cowboy” Neale,” it wrote in part.
“The 1966 premiership hero died overnight at the age of 78.
“Cowboy was truly a beloved figure at the Saints, not only among his teammates and fans, but by those who worked alongside him at the club long after his playing days.”
At 188cm and 103kg, Neale was an imposing ruckman and full forward who earned a glut of honours during his career.
Also the Saints’ leading goal-kicker in that famed 1966 premiership season, he was a club best and fairest and was named in the back pocket in the club’s Team of the Century.
He would later captain-coach Ainslie in Canberra to four premierships in the ACT and coached Central District in the SANFL.
Neale returned to St Kilda later in his life and worked in marketing and with the Past Players Association.
“Truly a larger than life character in every way, Cowboy was always able to engage with people across various generations,” the St Kilda statement added.
“His health struggles in recent times were well-publicised, and his teammates regularly visited him in Albury as a group. Through the difficult times his wife Georgina was always a constant pillar of strength and the club extends its deepest sympathies to her and the Neale family.”
More to come