RIP Ian McKay

[Big Phil]

Sadly, another past legend of the SANFL passes away...

Roosters Legend Dies


FAMOUS SCREAMER: Ian McKay takes his famous mark in
the 1952 Grand Final (Picture courtesy of Full Points Footy)


North Adelaide legend and arguably the greatest full back in South Australian football history, Ian McKay has died.

The captain of the Roosters team of the century passed away on Saturday morning aged 87.

McKay played 164 games for the Roosters from 1946-55 and kicked 45 goals. His football resume is among the most impressive in the state with a lengthy list of achievements.

In 1950 he was the first full back to claim the Magarey Medal, the highest individual award in the SANFL. He captained the Roosters for all but the first two seasons at Prospect and led the club to premiership glory in 1949 and 1952.

His mark over Norwood's Pat Hall in the 1952 grand final is rated by many as the most famous SANFL photo of all time.

His illustrious career included club best and fairest awards in 1950 and 1954 while he played 14 state games and was captain 1950-51.

Fos Williams recognised the talents of McKay when he named him at full back in his all-time state team. The Roosters will wear black armbands in honour of McKay when they front the Port Adelaide Magpies at Alberton on Sunday.

[bayman]

sad news for south australian football in general & i believe 'that photo' went world wide at the time, obviously one of the greats & my condolences to his family & to the NAFC on losing a great


RIP IAN McKAY

[Magpiespower]

Always thought that famous image of McKay's screamer would make a great SANFL logo.

Similar to Jerry West's 'The Logo' silhouette for the NBA.

IIRC, he's the only full-back Magarey Medallist?

[Mr66]

Always thought that famous image of McKay's screamer would make a great SANFL logo.

Similar to Jerry West's 'The Logo' silhouette for the NBA.

Brilliant

McKay's mark may have been the first SANFL photo that I saw.

[Leaping Lindner]

The fact that he was captain of North's team of the century - a team that included Barrie Robran, Ken Farmer, Don Lindner, The Jarman brothers etc. - says it all about the high esteem in which this man was held down at Menzies Crescent. I had the absolute pleasure of talking with him at a couple of club history functions and he was a true champion off the field as well.
Vale Skipper.

[CK]

Always thought that famous image of McKay's screamer would make a great SANFL logo.

Similar to Jerry West's 'The Logo' silhouette for the NBA.

IIRC, he's the only full-back Magarey Medallist?

Ron Kneebone played the majority of 1966 at full back for Norwood in his winning year.

[baysman]

Very sad news. Mackay is a SANFL legend. He will be sadly missed not only by the N.A.F.C, but the SANFL community as a whole.

[Big Phil]

RIP and condolences to both the McKay family and the NAFC...

[Fhud]

RIP - great man you will not be forgotten a true legend and gentleman

[McAlmanac]

The 1952 Grand Final shot is the greatest ever SA football photo.

[FattyLumpkin]

"That" mark - an absolute classic & a SANFL trademark. (Just noticed Pat Hall appears to be wearing a short sleeved jumper??)

Never saw McKay play, but on the 3 photos on display here, that was my loss. RIP.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Yes, the mark was a classic, but there have been far more spectacular marks taken (even by McKay himself). I think what makes it special is the symmetry of it, the balance and poise of McKay, the classic moment captured milli-seconds before the ball in flight comes to rest in his hands, the perfection of the old fashioned number 1 down the middle of his back, the splendour of the Adelaide Oval grandstand and crowd in the background, It's a classic football photo.

I was working with Central District's Ian McKay in 1975 when he was selected to play his first league game. A photographer took him and another guy to Adelaide Oval at lunchtime and tried to recapture the shot of his namesake taking the perfect mark. Didn't do a bad job either from memory.

[robranisgod]

As older contributors would remember, Pat Hall was a panelist on World Of Sport for a long time in the early days of TV. One Sunday Pat stated "Flying from behind went out with button-up boots". Almost immediately the McKay mark was flashed up on the screen, with the obvious retort to Pat that he must have played in the era of button up boots!!!

[mal]

That mark reminds me of the way Bayman used to play footy
Bayman is the guy with the sprigg marks in his back

There was a tribute on Ian on the ABC last week, and an intreview with Mr Stringer
An ex team mate Stringer gave a wonderful insight into the greatness of Ian Mckay
Was inspirational to the other players
Got the best out his players
Played several state games at Full back standing AFL legend John Coleman and the most JC kicked on IM was 4 goals
Was the best full back Stringer had ever seen

I dunno Stringers first name
Is he related to the Stringers who played for NA/GL ?
And was this Stringer also a SANFL commentator ?

Ian Mckay a legend
Give credit to NA they have produced so many superstars and champions over the years
Prob 2nd only to PA for producing star players

[robranisgod]

That mark reminds me of the way Bayman used to play footy
Bayman is the guy with the sprigg marks in his back

There was a tribute on Ian on the ABC last week, and an intreview with Mr Stringer
An ex team mate Stringer gave a wonderful insight into the greatness of Ian Mckay
Was inspirational to the other players
Got the best out his players
Played several state games at Full back standing AFL legend John Coleman and the most JC kicked on IM was 4 goals
Was the best full back Stringer had ever seen

I dunno Stringers first name
Is he related to the Stringers who played for NA/GL ?
And was this Stringer also a SANFL commentator ?

Ian Mckay a legend
Give credit to NA they have produced so many superstars and champions over the years
Prob 2nd only to PA for producing star players

They interviewed Dean Stringer, who played in North's 1949 and 1952 premiership sides captained by Ian McKay. As far as I know Dean Stringer wasn't related to Kelly Stringer nor was he related to Barry, Wayne or Allan Stringer. If they were related it wasn't a close relationship.

Dean Stringer appeared on a footy panel in the early to mid 1960s on the ABC.

You are right about North often producing champs. Then again North have produced the second most Magarey medallists, won the second least wooden spoons and won the third most flags.

[mal]

Agree
I reckon if we had a best ever SANFL team from each club it would translate into a PA V NA Grand Final

Im guessing , Ian Mckay would be in the best ever NA team at full back ?
Bob Hammond 2nd ?

Was talking with a rooster stalwart on Sunday
Apparently Ian Mckay kicked a , or a winning goal in the 1960 Grand Final Vrs Norwood ?????

Also that photo of that mark is a classic
I have one Phil Carman taking a beauty at Glenelg Oval, Ive had that picture laminated and it sits proudly in my house

[Ian]

Im guessing , Ian Mckay would be in the best ever NA team at full back ?

Captain of team of the century says it all, he would be in the first 3 or 4 picked.

[Wedgie]

Just out of interest that famous mark taken in the 52 Grand Final was actually taken in Norths forward lines and he kicked a goal from it so my old man tells me. It was my old mans first SANFL game as a young Norwood supporter.

[baggy8]

Was talking with a rooster stalwart on Sunday
Apparently Ian Mckay kicked a , or a winning goal in the 1960 Grand Final Vrs Norwood ?????

Not too likely mal, as Ian McKay retired in 1955.

[baggy8]

He probably meant the goal that Wedgie was referring to in 1952