Vale Neil Sachse

[Scraggers]

SANFL and the South Australian football community is mourning the passing of State and North Adelaide champion Neil Sachse.

Along with his brother Dennis, Neil was part of the fabled Roosters team of the early 1970s that won back to back premierships and in 1972 defeated Carlton to claim the title of Champions of Australia. Neil played 94 games in the red and white as a relentless and powerful utility.

He played five times for South Australia including a best on ground performance against Western Australia at Football Park in 1974.

The following season Neil transferred to Footscray but in his second VFL match was left a quadriplegic after a heavy collision at the Western Oval. The devastating injury rocked the football world and led to greater awareness and protocols around spinal and head injuries.

Neil committed his life to raising awareness of disability and spinal injury. His foundation raised millions of dollars for research and education and he was tireless in his efforts.

”Neil was a wonderful player who had his football career tragically cut short,” SANFL chief executive Jake Parkinson said.

”However, he remained a pioneer, committed and tenacious in his pursuit for research and understanding of spinal injuries through his foundation for which our game is the benefactor. He will be deeply missed.”

Neil passed away after a short illness. SANFL expresses its deepest sympathy to Neil’s wife Janyne and sons Ben and Sam and their families.

[Axe Man]

Vale Neil Sachse (https://sanfl.com.au/league/news/vale-neil-sachse/?fbclid=IwAR0gcap8yFX0SANAxsHOb8fg-SxS3MN7DxtBdr1xYYjtj6wwipBibwtaQPw)
https://i.postimg.cc/xCnN8rMg/Capture.png (https://postimages.org/)

SANFL and the South Australian football community is mourning the passing of State and North Adelaide champion Neil Sachse.

Along with his brother Dennis, Neil was part of the fabled Roosters team of the early 1970s that won back to back premierships and in 1972 defeated Carlton to claim the title of Champions of Australia. Neil played 94 games in the red and white as a relentless and powerful utility.

He played five times for South Australia including a best on ground performance against Western Australia at Football Park in 1974.

The following season Neil transferred to Footscray but in his second VFL match was left a quadriplegic after a heavy collision at the Western Oval. The devastating injury rocked the football world and led to greater awareness and protocols around spinal and head injuries.

Neil committed his life to raising awareness of disability and spinal injury. His foundation raised millions of dollars for research and education and he was tireless in his efforts.

”Neil was a wonderful player who had his football career tragically cut short,” SANFL chief executive Jake Parkinson said.

”However, he remained a pioneer, committed and tenacious in his pursuit for research and understanding of spinal injuries through his foundation for which our game is the benefactor. He will be deeply missed.”

Neil passed away after a short illness. SANFL expresses its deepest sympathy to Neil’s wife Janyne and sons Ben and Sam and their families.

[bornadog]

Very sad, only 69 but what a rotten life after that terrible incident at Western Oval (which I witnessed along with so many others)

RIP

[ledge]

Blown me away, a bulldog player I know was very close to him and bluey.
I think they both have hit him hard.
Neil was a top bloke and a real fighter may his legacy live on not only in the bulldog psyche but in the AFL as well.
A sad sad day :-(
We loved you mate.

[Jeanette54]

Very sad, only 69 but what a rotten life after that terrible incident at Western Oval (which I witnessed along with so many others)

RIP
My goodness, that was 45 years ago. I was there that day, aged all of 21, I am now 66. I look back at what seems a lifetime, but I can't even begin to imagine what life was like for Neil across all those years.

I shudder at every contact with a player who has his head down. And as for the modern practice of leading with the head, in order to prompt a free, modern footballers should be made more aware of the possible ramifications. Forty five years is a life sentence,, in awful circumstances.

[Remi Moses]

Still remember it as a 7 year old
Stuck with me
RIP Neil
Deepest condolences to Neil’s family

[Eastdog]

Sad news. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

[KT31]

Vale Neil, such sad news.

[ratsmac]

RIP Neil

Condolences to his family and friends

[Mofra]

Sad news

[bornadog]

Geoff Jennings on Neil- listen here (https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode/726000)

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Such a tragedy. Surely the league's greatest ever tragedy.
Vale Neil.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Well played to a very brave and positive man. If you get the chance to read his autobiography i can certainly recommend it. A very positive man.

[josie]

Well played to a very brave and positive man. If you get the chance to read his autobiography i can certainly recommend it. A very positive man.

Gee Hose - I did not know Neil Sachse had written one. I'll borrow it for sure. All dogs members, even those who were well after his dreadful injury know about this terribly sad part of RWB history. Thanks for the heads up.

[EasternWest]

Such a tragedy. Surely the league's greatest ever tragedy.
Vale Neil.

This would make for an interesting, if not depressing thread.

[jeemak]

My old man stopped playing footy after Neil's incident. Saw it and stopped after the aftermath was confirmed.

RIP mate, you got a rough hand. Bulldogs legend.