Coach Michael Ciccia said the first annual Jezza Memorial Cup, held to honour Jeremy 'Jezza' Martin-Heath, was an emotional but celebratory day.

"Win or lose, we were playing for just one guy today, the score didn't matter," he said.

"It's hard for everyone to revisit the memories and feelings of everything that's happened, but it's important to celebrate what he did on the footy field...We wanted to make it a celebration."

Martin-Heath's teammates, family and friends from Walla came together on Saturday to celebrate his life and courage, on and off the field.

His younger brother Jamie, 16, captained the reserves while playing in his brother's 37 jumper.

"We had the jumper presentation before the game, giving Jamie Jezza's old guernsey, number 37," Ciccia said.

"It certainly brought tears to the room.

"Jamie kicked a goal and the whole ground just ran and got around him."

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Before the match, a guard of honour and minute's silence was held for the 20-year-old who died in February 2020.

Ciccia said it was important to the club that Jezza's family was involved and felt supported on the day.

He said it had been an especially hard year for Jezza's family, friends and teammates given COVID prevented physical gatherings for much of 2020.

"His family are so great, we want to rally around them and do everything we can to support them in this still-tough time," he said.

"We're still keeping his memory alive... to have the cup happen every year and to celebrate Jezza every year, it'll be something everyone looks forward to."

Although the Crows lost the match, 40 to 103, and Rand-Walbundrie-Walla took home the first Jezza Cup, Ciccia said they were indebted to the Giants for how they embraced the day.

"As a football club we can't thank Rand-Walbundrie-Walla enough," he said.

"They've been so good and showed such sportsmanship."

Giant Zach Lassey was given the 2021 Most Courageous Medal.

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