David Kantilla
Encyclopedia
David Kantilla was an Australian rules footballer who is recognised as the first Indigenous Australian
to play in the South Australian National Football League
. Throughout his footballing career he was known by his 'Anglo' name David Kantilla but also had his tribal name of Amparralamtua.
Kantilla was born in Bathurst Island, which is part of the Tiwi Islands
. After playing a couple of seasons with St Mary's
in the Northern Territory he joined South Adelaide
for the 1961 season and had an immediate impact, kicking six goals against Glenelg on his debut and winning the club's best and fairest award in his first two seasons. A tall man who stood at 196 cm, Kantilla was soon moved away from the forward 50 and became a ruckman
. He was a member of South Adelaide's premiership side in 1964 and by the time he left the club at end of the 1966 season he had played 113 games. During his time in South Australia he represented the state at interstate football on four occasions, in 1964 and 1965. After returning to the Northern Territory, he became captain-coach of his old club St Mary's.
In 1978 Kantilla was killed in a car accident on Bathurst Island. Twenty-seven years later he was named on the interchange bench in the Indigenous Team of the Century
. He is also a member of the South Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame.
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
to play in the South Australian National Football League
South Australian National Football League
The South Australian National Football League is an Australian rules football league based in the Australian state of South Australia. It is also the governing body for the sport of Australian rules football in South Australia....
. Throughout his footballing career he was known by his 'Anglo' name David Kantilla but also had his tribal name of Amparralamtua.
Kantilla was born in Bathurst Island, which is part of the Tiwi Islands
Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are part of Australia's Northern Territory, north of Darwin where the Arafura Sea joins the Timor Sea. They comprise Melville Island and Bathurst Island, with a combined area of ....
. After playing a couple of seasons with St Mary's
St Marys Football Club
The St Marys Football Club, nicknamed, Saints, formed in 1952 is a member club of the Northern Territory Football League. It is famous for its record of success, with 28 NTFL premierships and 55 out of 57 possible final appearances....
in the Northern Territory he joined South Adelaide
South Adelaide Football Club
South Adelaide Football Club competes in the South Australian National Football League . Known as the Panthers, their home ground is Hickinbotham Oval , located in Noarlunga Downs in the southern suburbs of Adelaide....
for the 1961 season and had an immediate impact, kicking six goals against Glenelg on his debut and winning the club's best and fairest award in his first two seasons. A tall man who stood at 196 cm, Kantilla was soon moved away from the forward 50 and became a ruckman
Ruckman (Australian rules football position)
In Australian rules football, a ruckman is typically a tall and athletic player who contests at centre bounces and stoppages . The ruckman is one of the most important players on the field...
. He was a member of South Adelaide's premiership side in 1964 and by the time he left the club at end of the 1966 season he had played 113 games. During his time in South Australia he represented the state at interstate football on four occasions, in 1964 and 1965. After returning to the Northern Territory, he became captain-coach of his old club St Mary's.
In 1978 Kantilla was killed in a car accident on Bathurst Island. Twenty-seven years later he was named on the interchange bench in the Indigenous Team of the Century
Indigenous Team of the Century
The Indigenous Team of the Century was selected to recognise the role of Indigenous Australians in the sport. It was announced in 2005 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first senior game played by an indigenous player, Fitzroy's Joe Johnson...
. He is also a member of the South Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame.