Story of a Footy Legend - Sam Kekovich
Born in Manjimup, Perth, Sam grew up with a simple life. He spent his teenage years on a farm in Myrtleford where the family worked long days with plenty of hard work. As most Aussie youngsters in the 1970’s, Sam played cricket and basketball in summer and football in winter. But his speed and co ordination set him ahead of the pack and he was discovered by a football scout at the age of 13. With dedicated training and development over the course of the next few years, Sam was recruited to professional football at 18. Not unlike the Superman character, Sam’s speed, dexterity, coordination and the fact that at 187cm and 95 kg he was a big bloke, ensured that he was noticed on the field even as a teenager. However it was his vibrant personality and irreverence for discipline that made him a media drawcard and a crowd favourite. Fiery and passionate, Sam once threw his boots into the Yarra River during a training session and, on another occasion, was famously photographed at the races when he should have been at training. Then there was the time he posed naked for the Truth newspaper… As a player, Sam never took too kindly to the disciplines required in football. When the mood took him, however, he could turn a game with sheer power and brilliance. He won North Melbourne’s best and fairest in 1969, but his career was not helped by unusual injuries – such as a damaged cruciate ligament caused while playing in a social soccer match and another incurred on a trampoline. Undergoing knee reconstructive surgery in 1970, Sam battled various injuries and rehabilitation while continuing to achieve footy success, until his retirement in 1980. Sam was constantly approached by other VFL Clubs and also received offers to play rugby league in Sydney and gridiron in the US. He departed North Melbourne after the 1976 season and played the following year with Collingwood. Then retirement followed and Australian Rules had lost one of its most controversial and compelling players. These days, Sam is a football and social commentator on TV and radio. Catch him every Tuesday on ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” or on Triple M during the footy season. Also involved in a host of commercials and advertisements, as presenter for the Meat & Livestock’s Australia’ week’s television commercials, recently garnered an international award for excellence. Sam has entered the corporate arena as a professional presenter and host of corporate functions. This naturally gifted entertainer brings a wonderfully satirical, irreverent and hard-hitting brand of humour to any occasion. When asked about his accomplishments, surprisingly Sam chooses to focus on the work-life balance he now has, the lifestyle he has developed, the work he is involved with and his passion for travel. Sam lists his biggest achievement as finding solace with himself. From one of footballs most colourful characters who achieved the pinnacles of success in front of a crowd, his love affair with the media meant that every life drama was played out in front of the camera, battling knee injuries for 10 years, being a member of the team of the century, Sam has now discovered the joy and solace of settling into a life that means more than being a media hero or a football legend. Coming soon - www.kekka.com.au |
In this issue |
“Slammin’ Sam” Kekovich
played 124 games and kicked 228 goals for Norther Melbourne between
1968 and 1976 and four games (four goals) for Collingwood in 1977.
A physically strong and imposing player, Sam was renowned for his
straight-ahead “take no prisoners” approach to football – a
trait that he has carried with him in his post-football life. Sam,
was a key member of Norther Melbourne’s first premiership
side in 1975, when the Kangaroos beat Hawthorn, and also represented
Victoria. 