Victorian Metro stalwart Neil Rainbow has claimed the mantle of being Australia’s oldest active player in senior men’s football, as confirmed by the AFL.
At 76 years of age, Neil has had a storied football journey thus far, with a career that spans all the way from school football to the present day in the AFL Sapphire Coast competition. Neil arrived on the NSW Far South Coast in his 50s and had aspirations of playing just one senior game, but has since gone on to play over 200.
“I thought if I could play one game in the Sapphire Coast AFL, that’s going to be terrific,” Diamond said.
“There was a bit of criticism — what’s the old guy doing out there?”
Along with his incredible longevity in the game, Neil is no stranger to success, having been involved in 10 successful Masters National Carnival titles thus far.
While his current season with AFL Sapphire Coast club Bega-Tathra will continue, Neil is slated for another appearance in the National Carnival in Fremantle later this year.
Though Neil will turn 77 just prior to the 2025 season, he has no plans to hang up the boots yet.
“Too young for that at the moment,” Rainbow said.
You can read more about Neil’s incredible story on ABC News, or catch the news story on ABC TV.
