Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Neil Roberts

Known as
Neil Roberts

Born
15 June 1933

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 19y 34d
Last game: 29y 71d

Height and weight
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 81 kg

Senior clubs
St. Kilda

Jumper numbers
St. Kilda: 33, 10

Family links
Michael Roberts (Son)

Neil Roberts

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
St. KildaV/AFL1952-1962169400.2436%12.00—1.0076
Total1952-1962169400.2436%12.00—1.0076

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 6,261st player to appear, 997th most games played, 2,427th most goals kickedSt. Kilda: 958th player to appear, 40th most games played, 166th most goals kicked

St Kilda recruited Neil Roberts from Melbourne High School Old Boys and he made his VFL debut in 1952. After failing to impress as a forward during his first two and a half seasons in league company he was moved to centre half back with stunning success. Tall and boasting an athletic physique, he was excellent overhead, and a superb rebound player. He won St Kilda's best and fairest award in 1955, and again three years later, when he also landed the Brownlow.

A regular Big V representative (11 appearances), Roberts was an inspirational player who led from the front. In 1958 he became the first ever St Kilda player to achieve All Australian selection. Appointed St Kilda captain in 1959 he retained the position until he retired, after 169 VFL games and 40 goals, in 1962. In 2002, Roberts was chosen at centre half back in St Kilda's official 'Team of the Century'.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

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Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.