THE Port Adelaide Football Club is encouraging those attending its ANZAC Day game against St Kilda to arrive early to catch a special screening of locally produced documentary “The Rover of Tobruk” on the Adelaide Oval big screens.
The documentary tells the story of World War II Military Medallist and Port Adelaide Football Club legend Bob Quinn.
Quinn is a member of the South Australian Football Hall of Fame after his 239 games for Port Adelaide between 1933 and 1947.
During his career, Quinn booted 386 goals and won two Magarey Medals either side of his military service.
After just six games of the 1940 season, Quinn enlisted with the Australian Army and was sent to North Africa to fight with the Allies against the Axis forces in Tobruk.
It was on that battlefield that he would earn the Military Medal for courage, leadership and devotion in battle during August 1941.
He returned to play football and finished with three premierships, four best and fairests and 15 state games to go with his two Magarey Medals.
Told through interviews with his son Greg Quinn, a number of historians and football identities, starring former SANFL captain Steven Summerton and narrated by Erin Phillips, the daughter of Port Adelaide great Greg Phillips and a fine footballer in her own right, The Rover of Tobruk paints a picture of a remarkable human with the hallmarks of what it means to be a Port Adelaide great – courage, selflessness, loyalty and resilience.
The film, which runs for 23 minutes, will be screened from 4:45pm on the big screens at Adelaide Oval as part of the lead-in to Port Adelaide’s ANZAC Day clash with St Kilda.
It is part of a special gameday which will also see a tribute to Port Adelaide players and officials who enlisted to serve in the defence of empire and nation.
As well as a commemoration, Sunday night will also see the traditional ANZAC Day observance ceremony before the first bounce.
The Peter Badcoe VC Medal will be awarded at the end of the game to the player who best demonstrates the qualities of skill, courage in adversity, self-sacrifice, teamwork and fair play.
Those planning to attend Sunday evening’s game are encouraged to arrive early to catch The Rover of Tobruk and additional pre-game build-up with gates opening at 4pm.
Adelaide Oval’s COVID-19 protocols remain in place including a requirement for patrons to check in using the QR codes and wear masks while moving into and around the venue.
For more details on Sunday's ANZAC Day clash against St Kilda - visit out game day hub.
