Received life membership in 1999.
Kevin “Cowboy” Neale was a noted player at both Ainslie and St Kilda. The nickname “Cowboy” stemmed from coach St Kilda Alan Jeans who once said Kevin plays like a Cowboy. Kevin represented St Kilda for over ten years between 1965 – 1977, debuting as a 19 year old and accumlating over 250 games with a Best and Fairest Award in 1973.
Upon retirement as a player at St Kilda, Kevin moved to Canberra and was drawn back in playing as a Captain/Coach at Ainslie while also representing the ACT in the Escort Cup. Despite entering his thrities at this stage of his career, Kevin was still dominanting at full-forward, even setting a goals record in 1980. He kicked over 100 goals in three successive seasons. 149 in 1980. 139 in 1981 and 125 in 1982. His stint as Captain/Coach at Ainslie accumlated in Premierships in 1979, 1980, 1982 and 1983.
Kevin was reluctantly moved on from Ainslie at the end of 1983 to take a on a coaching role in the SANFL. The Cowboy would however make his return to Ainslie in 1998 as his final stint as a coach. Life Membership for Kevin represents the incredible responsibility he took on as Captain/Coach at Ainslie and the lasting impression he made amongst everyone involved with Ainslie at the time. The set of goals at Alan Ray Oval are named after Kevin in honour of his contributions and legendary status at the club.