Heritage Committee Update - May 2024
In March 2024, South Adelaide Football Club’s legendary Captain of the 1890’s - Jack “Dinny” Reedman was inducted in to the Sport SA Hall of Fame.
Reedman’s exploits are well known in several sports but perhaps his contribution to SA Football while significant is sometimes overlooked. He Captained South Adelaide to 5 Premierships in his 126 games for “the Blue and Whites” in the 1890’s. He filled the role of a Ruckman and defender; he was skilled both in the air and on the ground. In days when the club Captain fulfilled the duties of today’s coaches, Reedman was credited of introducing the tactic of the “loose man” into the game at the time.
Reedman compulsorily transferred to North Adelaide when the SANFL introduced the controversial Electoral zoning system in 1900, where players were obliged to play for the team where the resided. This decimated South Adelaide’s successful team from the 1890’s.
Reedman went on to play in 3 Premierships with North Adelaide, Captaining the team in 2 of them. After retirement he coached West Adelaide from bottom position in 1907 to SANFL Premiers and Champions of Australia in 1908.
Jack Reedman is in the SAFC Hall of fame, the clubs greatest ever team, the SANFL Hall of fame, and the Australian Football Hall of fame.
Reedman’s cricket career was also significant, he played in 81 first class matches for SA, many as the State captain. A great all-rounder and brilliant fieldsman he also played 1 test match for Australia. In his spare time, he was also a champion long distance swimmer.
A recent addition to the Trophy Cabinet in the foyer at Jimmy Deane’s at Flinders University Stadium, is the ball used in the 1935 SANFL Grand Final. South Adelaide, after a 35-year Premiership drought, defeated Port Adelaide 15.9.99 to 13.13.91. The ball contains the signatures of most of the South Adelaide Premiership team from that year.
The Heritage Committee is also busy working in the background on a book on the history of the club, due for release in the clubs 150th year in 2026.
If you want to look up any information, we are always updating the clubs history page on the website. You can view it here.
Don Rusby (left) the son of dual South Adelaide Premiership player, Laurie Rusby who donated the 1935 Grand Final Match Ball back to the club with Chair of the Heritage Committee David Kelly (right). Image: SAFC Media.
