St Kilda’s Past Players and Officials Association staged one of its biggest annual reunions at RSEA Park, ending the club's milestone year in a moving and memorable evening for Sainters of all eras.

A keynote of the night was a special tribute to 1966 Premiership heroes Alan Morrow and Cowboy Neale before the main reunion function began.

Introduced by Ross Smith, Neil Roberts spoke of Morrow, and Gary Colling and Barry Breen saluted their great mate 'Cowboy' Neale. A moving video tribute created by Russell Holmesby and Andrew Shostak brought a tear to the eye of many in the audience. Alan Morrow’s daughters Liz and Jenny, and Cowboy’s wife Georgina and son Josh were welcomed by Ross Smith and many former teammates of Alan and Cowboy.

Premiership men Ian Synman, Jeff Moran, Brian Sierakowski, Kevin Billing, John Bingley, Brian Mynott and Bob Murray were there, and Bob modestly accepted congratulations for his recent hole-in one at the ripe old age of 81.

Coach Ross Lyon and his assistants Robert Harvey and Lenny Hayes dropped in for a catch-up after a busy day showing our new recruits and their families around RSEA Park.

It was great to see those who came from long distances to pay their respects along with those who had not been at the club for many years and were seeing the new look RSEA Park and Danny Frawley Centre for the first time.

Jim O’Dea came from Queensland, Glenn Elliott from South Australia, Russell Tweeddale (Queensland), Brian Sierakowski (Western Australia), while Tim Pekin and Carl Ditterich made long journeys from country Victoria. It was great to see Gary Lofts back at the club for the first time in many years

At the younger end of the scale, master of ceremonies Bruce Eva introduced National recruiting Manager Chris Toce and some of the club’s new arrivals: Paddy Dow, Liam O’Connell, and Angus Hastie. Club board members Jason Blake and Jennifer Douglas also gave an update on the Saints’ off-field progress.

St Kilda PPOA president Sean Ralphsmith thanked everyone for their support in a year where funds were raised by auctioning items at the True Believers finals function, and from the Saints Magic Night where past players Sam Gilbert, Justin Koschitzke, Robert Harvey, Lenny Hayes, Andrew Thompson and James Gwilt gave insights to two classic games form the past.

RSVP acceptances had exceeded all previous levels, but unfortunately the weather meant that on-field entertainment activities for kids had to be cancelled. A vehicle accident which caused gridlock on Kingsway meant that some couldn’t make it.

Farewell, Saints

Many of you will already heard of the recent passing of three former Saints players Allan Callow, Chris Stone and Darryl Cowie, as well as former Board member Sheena Ferguson.

Allan was aged 93 and played 32 games from 1953 and 1956.

Chris was aged 63 and passed away in Belgium after a long illness. He played 23 games from 1978 to 1981. He had lived overseas for more than 30 years.

Darryl played 56 games for the Saints during the 1980s, sadly passing away aged 62 following a long illness.

Meanwhile, Sheena was one of the Saints' most dedicated fans whose impact on the club as both a founder of the Sinners Supporter Group, Board Member and eventual Life Member were profound.

Our condolences are extended to the Callow, Stone, Ferguson and Cowie families

PPOA 2024 Membership Guide

All Past players and officials are encouraged to sign up as members of our association which fosters maintaining connection to the club and also offers great discounts on home game seating packages. The PPO&A ultimate Home Game membership is proving very popular.

For more information about the Past Players & Officials Association, click here.