Australian Football

Neville Roberts, who began his league career with West Torrens in 1973, was a quick, highly skilled half forward or forward who marked and kicked extremely well. After two seasons with the Eagles he joined VFL side Richmond, where he played 48 games and kicked 81 goals over the next three years. A second stint at West Torrens followed, with Roberts showing the benefits of his spell in the VFL by developing into one of the most eye-catching players in South Australia. He topped Torrens' goal kicking list in 1980 with 47 goals and all told kicked 198 goals in 95 games for the club before crossing to Norwood in 1982. 

In his debut season with the Redlegs he played in a premiership team, while in the Grand Final of two years later, against arch-rival Port Adelaide, he booted six goals from a forward pocket to be one of the best afield as Norwood edged home by nine points. By this stage of his career, Roberts was playing most of his football on the full forward line, and he topped his club's goal kicking list in 1982 with 85 goals, 1983 (117), 1984 (106) and 1985 (71). 

He retired at the end of the 1987 season after playing 108 games and kicking 413 goals for the Redlegs. He also represented South Australia five times (twice as captain) and Victoria once. He captained the Eagles in 1980 and 1981, and the Redlegs in 1985 and 1986. 

After his playing days were over, Roberts became a respected media commentator, before returning to Norwood as senior coach in 2000. In two seasons at the helm he oversaw fifth and fourth place finishes.

Arguably Neville Roberts' best football came during his six-season stint at the Parade, a fact that was endorsed with his selection in a forward pocket in Norwood's official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Author - John Devaney