South Adelaide induct five life members for 2024

At the 2024 Knuckey Cup and Margaret Nyland Medal event, the South Adelaide Football Club proudly honored its newest life members: Boyd Austin, David Earl, Marilyn Wiskar, Lyn Finkers, and Craig "Rocket" Tomsen. Their commitment and contributions to the club have been invaluable, and the evening was a fitting celebration of their achievements.

Boyd Austin

Boyd Austin's life membership was officially awarded during the Junior Best and Fairest Night on September 24th, 2024.

Boyd has been a dedicated figure at South Adelaide Football Club for decades, with his journey beginning in 1974 when he played in the club's Mini-League. He continued to progress through the ranks, playing in the Under-19s in the early 1980s and the Reserves in 1986.

Before returning to South Adelaide, Boyd had significant coaching experience, including leading junior grades at Reynella and taking on A and B Grade coaching roles. He also served as an assistant coach at Victor Harbor.

In 2011, Boyd returned to South Adelaide as an assistant coach for the Under-18s, a position he has held with distinction. Over the years, he has also taken on the role of Under-17s coach, guiding and mentoring young players with his wealth of knowledge and passion for the game.

The South Adelaide Football Club extends its heartfelt thanks to Boyd for his outstanding dedication and congratulates him on this well-deserved life membership.

David Earl

David made his debut for the Panthers in Round 4 of 1973, marking the beginning of a remarkable playing career.

Over the years, he played 108 League matches and scored 43 goals, 39 behinds. His final game came in the unfortunate 1979 Grand Final, a day that remains etched in memory, as lingering hamstring issues ultimately cut short his playing career the following season.

A former vice-captain of the club, David’s exceptional performance was recognized in 1979 when he was named to the Advertiser Team of the Year.

From 1983 to 2005, David transitioned into coaching roles within the club, serving as Under-17 Coach and Reserves Assistant Coach, where he helped shape the next generation of South Adelaide talent.

His contributions to the club didn’t stop there. Since 1996, David has played an integral role in the Past Players and Officials Committee, where he has continued to give back to the Panthers community.

Alongside his work with South Adelaide, David also built an extensive coaching career in the Southern Football League (SFL), culminating in his induction into the SFL Hall of Fame in 2024.

With over 50 years of involvement with the South Adelaide Football Club, David Earl’s dedication and passion are undeniable.

Congratulations to David on his well-deserved life membership.

Marilyn Wiskar

Marilyn's journey with the club began in 1995 when the Panthers moved to Noarlunga.

From the start, she played an active role in supporting the club, baking and selling cakes for the stall run by the Ladies Committee.

She was also a familiar face selling raffle tickets at Colonnades, contributing to the club’s fundraising efforts.

After taking a brief break to care for her parents in Port Pirie, Marilyn returned to Noarlunga, becoming a key volunteer in the Panther Club canteen on game days. Her unwavering dedication earned her the Club’s 10-year service certificate in 2017.

In addition to her canteen work, Marilyn has been a long-standing member of both the Panther Club Committee and the Carols Committee, where she has continued to offer her time and energy to the club's broader community activities.

With nearly three decades of service to the Panthers, Marilyn Wiskar's contributions have left a lasting impact.

Congratulations to Marilyn on her well-deserved life membership.

Lyn Finkers

Lyn began volunteering with the Panther Club in 2007 and has been a steadfast presence ever since. Over the years, she has taken on important roles within both the Panther Club Committee and the Carols Committee, contributing significantly to the club’s community activities.

One of Lyn’s key contributions has been her tireless work in the BBQ area during home games. She is a familiar and reliable figure, rarely missing the opportunity to help out on game days. Her commitment extends beyond game day, as Lyn also assists in setting up for the Southern Community Christmas Carols event, both the day before and during the event itself.

Lyn's ongoing dedication earned her a 10-year service certificate in 2017, a testament to her long-standing contributions.

With over a decade of unwavering volunteer work, Lyn Finkers has truly made an impact at South Adelaide.

Congratulations to Lyn on her well-deserved life membership.

Craig 'Rocket' Tomsen

Craig "Rocket" Tomsen, a devoted member of the South Adelaide Football Club Cheer Squad since 1996, has been honored with life membership in recognition of his unwavering passion and commitment to the Panthers.

Rocket’s involvement with the club began with the Cheer Squad, where he played an active role in creating the team banners for both home and away games. Over the years, his dedication has only grown, and he is now the driving force behind the Cheer Squad.

His enthusiasm for the Panthers is evident, as he rarely misses a men’s or women’s match.

What truly sets Rocket apart is the extraordinary effort he makes to attend games, especially at Noarlunga.

With flags in hand, he travels all the way from Birkenhead using public transport, often combining several trains and buses just to support his beloved Panthers.

Craig "Rocket" Tomsen’s commitment to South Adelaide is truly remarkable.

Congratulations to Rocket on his well-deserved life membership!