St Kilda premiership hero Kevin ‘Cowboy’ Neale dies age 78 after long health battle

St Kilda premiership player Kevin Neale passed away last night at the age of 78.

Just a day after AFL icon Ron Barassi passed away, the football world is once again mourning another legend of the sport.

Neale was a member of the St Kilda side that won the club’s only VFL/AFL premiership, scoring five goals as they defeated Collingwood by a point in 1966.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018.

“Known for his great physical strength as a footballer, he was also blessed with exceptional skills for a big man, allowing him to play as a key defender or as a forward,” the St Kilda club statement said.

“Cowboy was truly a larger-than-life character in every way and was always able to relate to people from different generations.”

‘His recent health problems were well publicized and his team-mates regularly visited him as a group in Albury.

“Throughout the difficult times, his wife Georgina was always a constant supporter and the club extends its deepest condolences to her and the Neale family.

“Gale, cowboy.”

Neale, known as ‘Cowboy’, was named in the club’s team of the century and hall of fame and won the club’s best and fairest award in 1973.

Neale played a then club record 256 games and remained involved with St Kilda long after retiring from the sport.

Neale made headlines for an incident during the 1971 final against Hawthorn, where he knocked out opponent Peter Hudson.

The big bump was discussed years later by Neale and Hudson in an interview on Fox Footy’s ‘Open Mike’ in 2012.

“It was a pretty ordinary effort,” Neale said.

“I certainly didn’t go into it with that idea in mind.”

Hudson said he had no hard feelings toward Neale.

“Just because he couldn’t remember the game,” Hudson said.