Flamboyant AFL Personality

Controversial and personality-rich AFL player Sam Kekovich began his playing career in 1968, and ironically earned the Best and Fairest award the following year. After a ten-year career taking in over 150 games, Sam directed his flamboyant character into the media where he morphed himself into an entrepreneur and media identity. The satirical spokesman for Meat & Livestock Australia continues to display his unique style across the airways and audiences thoroughly enjoy his anecdotal and humorous presentations. 

"Slammin'" Sam Kekovich is one of the real personalities of AFL football. He is well known for his controversial behaviour, both on and off the field, and his advocacy for the consumption of lamb. He is also well known for his satires as spokesman for Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) to promote lamb.

A previous star player with North Melbourne and Collingwood, Kekovich was a fine contributor to North Melbourne’s first Premiership victory in 1975. Sam started his career with the North Melbourne football club in 1968 and in the following year won the club's best and fairest award and was the club's top goal kicker, kicking 56 goals. 

From that point, his brilliance was displayed only in flashes as he seemed to put more effort into other non-football activities, including soccer, trampolining and posing naked in the "Truth" newspaper. These began to grate with those in power at the Kangaroos. However, he did play a role in the club's breakthrough premiership win in 1975. After playing 125 VFL games for the Kangaroos between 1968 and 1976, he moved to Collingwood in 1977, but only played four games, retiring that season.

During Sam’s playing days controversy surrounded him as he had several running battles with his icon coach Ron Barassi. During his career, which extended over 10 years, Kekovich participated in over 150 games, won a Club Best and Fairest and represented Victoria a number of times.

Since Sam’s playing days he has “turned himself" into an entrepreneur and media identity. He has carried his flamboyant style into the media sector, being most notable for his rants on the ABC show The Fat and a breakfast show on Melbourne radio station 3AK. He also appears on Triple M's pre-match AFL coverage and is on ESPN.

Kekovich's direct-to-camera TV monologues are done deadpan and use wide-ranging cultural references. They normally place in contrast many disparate or incongruous verbal images and ideas, ending with him saying his trademark, "You know it makes sense. I'm Sam Kekovich." He has performed these 'rants' on commercials for North Melbourne FC membership drives, Dan Murphy's bottle shops, and, perhaps most famously, encouraging people to act less 'unAustralian' on Australia Day by eating lamb. In the lead-ups to Australia Day 2005, 2006 & 2007 Kekovich headed advertising campaigns encouraging people to eat more Australian lamb.

He was the President of the Hammerheads; the Football Team created by Channel 7’s show “The Club" and was the Chief Executive Officer of “K Rock" Radio in Geelong,

Sam’s presentations are always anecdotal and extremely humorous as he brings together all his best stories and the characters he has encountered over the last 30 plus years of his involvement in football, and life. Of course Sam also adds his own special slant and commentary on the world. “You know it makes sense: I’m Sam Kekovich"

Presentation Topics Include

• Lamb!
• Football
• Australia Day
• The media

Testimonials

A great act which had the room engaged and laughing.  Sam was very professional in his endeavors from start to finish and I was really impressed with his knowledge on our company which was portrayed in his act.  Sam was low key with his requirements, minimal fuss and great communication. Great value with Sam involving himself for the whole evening. He involved the audience and held them captive and we would most certainly recommend Sam to any future clients. 
Simplot Pty. Limited

Sam assessed his audience well and had a good mixture of laughs and messages in his presentation.  He spent time with our media and was happy to talk to people after the session.
Berrigan Shire Council

Great speaker, excellent communication with me pre and post function.
Langwarrin FC

Sam was the perfect choice to address our team at this years’ conference.  A very witty and gifted man with a great ability to engage people at all levels.  Sam was an absolute pleasure to deal with.
MG Trading

Sam was great. All the guests loved it.
Cloud Solutions Group

Very funny and engaging. An absolute professional. 
Deer Park Club

Sam was absolutely fantastic and our guests just loved his performance – which I believe was above and beyond what was expected.
APCO Service Stations

Funny, engaging and inspirational 
FC Business Solutions

Exceeded all expectations. Eloquent, naughty and hilariously entertaining. An absolute highlight.
eBusiness Media

Sam remains one of the funniest, most down-to-earth entertainers we’ve had at these events.  His humour is not for every audience, but if you want an entertainer who is not politically correct and doesn’t pull any punches, then Sam is the man.
Real Estate Institute of Northern Territory

Sam conducted an extremely funny & entertaining session that was well received by all who attended the function. He was able to relay his message via humour but still make his point.”
Vero Insurance 

An engaging presentation that not only met our expectation but was carefully adapted to suit the leadership theme. With the right mix of humour interspersed with Sam's unmistakable opinions. Very Good!
Show Services

Sam's presentation was perfect for our clientele, and he managed with ease to keep the laughs rolling for the full duration of his time on stage.  You could sense that Sam had a very good understanding on what would appeal to his audience, and he delivered on all fronts.
Queensland Rugby Club

“Excellent – Sam had the audience in his hands from the very beginning." 
National Electrical Contractors Association

“ Excellent. Sam was the highlight of the night. Well received and commended by our audience. His grasp of the English language amazed all. His delivery and control of his audience was excellent. We received a lot of plaudits on his behalf." 
Basell Australia Pty Ltd

“Excellent, Sam was fantastic. He was warm and friendly to everyone that he met at the cabaret. He took the time to visit each table and introduce himself. Sam gave a funny, enlightening and honest Australian presentation. Sam stayed most of the evening and we are sure added to the enthusiastic charity auction prices received." 
LJ Hooker