The legacy of football trailblazer the late David Kantilla has been further recognised with his induction into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame at Monday night's Magarey Medal count.
Kantilla, who's tribal name was Amparralamtua, from Nguyu (Bathurst Island), arrived at SANFL club South Adelaide in 1961, winning the club's top individual honour in his first two years and ending with a list of accolades from 113 games over six seasons with the Panthers.
He's recognised as the first Tiwi Islander to play in the southern state league, and the competition's first Indigenous player to reach 100 career games.
Kantilla was inducted into the SA Hall of Fame alongside three-time Magarey Medallist James Allan, Woodville-West Torrens premiership player Andrew Payze and former four-decade Centrals chief executive Kris Grant on Monday night.
The Tiwi man already held Legend status in the NT Hall of Fame.
Recruited out of Territory powerhouse St Mary's, having already played two seasons in green and gold, Kantilla came to South Adelaide as a strong-marking goal kicker standing 6'5" - leading their goal kicking in his debut year there.
He won the Panthers' best-and-fairest Knuckey Cup in 1961 and 1962, was named best on ground in the club's 1964 premiership triumph and went on to play four state games with South Australia after transitioning into a dominant ruckman of the era.
Kantialla returned to the Territroy after his time in Adelaide, ending a four-time premiership player at St Mary's.
South Adelaide's award for their best first year player is named in his honour.
The Panthers inducted Kantilla into their club hall of fame in 2004.
12 months later, he was named in the AFL's Indigenous Team of the Century.
In the NT, Kantilla is vice-captain of the Territory's team of the century, slotting into the ruck spot.
Congratulations to 1964 Premiership Player David Kantilla on his long awaited induction to the SA Football Hall of Fame! ⭐️#SouthProud pic.twitter.com/yUsfk1hIEe
— South Adelaide Football Club (@southadelaidefc) September 1, 2025
He tragically died in his late thirties in a motor accident on Bathurst Island.
Kantilla's great grandson, Kim Kantilla, stretched further his families legacy at the club playing senior football at the Panthers between 2022-2023.
David Kantilla career record
113 games (106 goals) South Adelaide, 1961-1966
South Adelaide premiership player, 1964
South Adelaide Knuckey Cups, 1961-1962
South Adelaide leading goal kicker, 1961
4 State Games for SA, 1964-1965
4 premierships, St Mary's NTFL
South Adelaide life member, 1967
South Adelaide Hall of Fame
NT Football Hall of Fame, Legend Status
NTAFL team of the Century
AFL Indigenous Team of the Century
SA Football Hall of Fame
