A famous football family is in mourning after South Australian great Ian Day died aged 90.

The SA Hall of Famer, who began his career with West Adelaide, kicked the sealer as South Adelaide won the 1964 SANFL grand final.

The premiership decider was his final game, coming just days after the birth of his second son, and he moved straight into commentary when Channel 7 came calling for its pioneering SANFL broadcasts.

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Ian’s younger brother Robert was also a SANFL star with West Adelaide and went on to win the 1971 VFL premiership with Hawthorn, but the Day family’s sporting pedigree did not end with the siblings.

Ian’s son Tim went on to play baseball for Australia.

Ian and Robert both have grandsons in the AFL, with Sam Day (Ian) forging a long career with the Gold Coast Suns before joining the Brisbane Lions this year.

Will Day (Robert) has starred for Hawthorn in recent years but has been sidelined with injury for much of the 2025 season.

Ian’s death comes just months after his son Chris — Sam’s father — died following a five-year battle with cancer.

Chris’s initial diagnosis in 2020 saved his brother’s life, with Tim prompted to get tested and also found to have early-stage prostate cancer.

Tributes flowed on Tuesday following the news of Ian’s death.

“Saddened to hear of the passing of South Adelaide legend Ian Day aged 90,” Channel 7’s John Casey said.

“’Daisy’ was a pioneer of the Ch7 broadcast team starting a 30-year commentary run in 1965 and setting the standard for all of us who followed.

“Condolences to Ian’s family and many friends.”

Long-time AFL media manager Patrick Keane described Ian as a “legend” of SANFL broadcasts.

“His voice is a central part of memories for so many in the time he called games,” Keane said.

“Also a fine rover with West Adelaide and South Adelaide and a key member of the Panthers’ last flag side in 1964 which famously went bottom to top.”

Ian also worked alongside future star commentators Bruce McAvaney and Sandy Roberts on SANFL broadcasts.