Vicki Cleary Day Explained

Vicki Cleary Day is an annual Australian rules football match in the Victorian Football League (VFL) hosted by the Coburg Football Club. The game is held in honour of Vicki Cleary, the sister of former Coburg captain and coach Phil Cleary, who was killed by her former partner in 1987.[1] [2]

The first match was held in 2017, and it has been held every year since (excluding 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) with Coburg competing against various other clubs.[3] [4]

Background

On 26 August 1987, Vicki Cleary was attacked and repeatedly stabbed at a kindergarten by Peter Keogh, her former partner. She was 25 when she was killed.[5] [6]

Keogh was acquitted of murder and convicted of manslaughter by a jury, spending less than four years in jail. He committed in suicide in 2001.[6]

At the time his sister was killed, Phil Cleary was the captain-coach of Coburg in the Victorian Football Association (now Victorian Football League). He retired at the end of the 1987 season after playing 205 games.[7] Cleary currently campaigns to stop male violence against women.[8]

Results

YearDateHome teamAway teamGroundWinnerMargin
201730/4311.13 (79)Northern Blues21.15 (141)Coburg City OvalNorthern Blues62
201819/577.5 (47)10.12 (72)Coburg City OvalCollingwood25
201921/71615.12 (102)16.9 (105)Preston City OvalNorth Melbourne3
202219/6137.10 (52)15.14 (104)Piranha ParkRichmond52
202313/5812.8 (80)12.15 (87)Piranha ParkNorthern Bullants7
202421/71711.9 (75)10.10 (70)Piranha ParkCoburg5

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vicki Cleary Day . Vicki Cleary Day.
  2. Web site: Vicki Cleary Day – Against Violence Against Women . . 22 July 2019.
  3. Web site: Vicki Cleary Day: How doing more for women in footy could also help tackle domestic violence . ABC News . 29 April 2017.
  4. Web site: Northern pulling up its socks for Vicki Cleary . Carlton Football Club . 18 July 2019.
  5. Web site: Vicki Cleary was killed by her ex-boyfriend. In court, she was blamed for her own death. . Mamamia . 19 May 2021.
  6. Web site: Peter Keogh's horror past outlined in Maria James inquest . news.com.au . 20 September 2021.
  7. News: The Age. Melbourne, VIC. Dennis Jose. 39. 17 August 1985. Bottom pay, but top play.
  8. Web site: Phil Cleary giving men a sporting chance to end violence against women . The Age . 16 June 2022.