Australian Football

Norwood’s Roy Bent was the first great South Australian full forward of the post-World War One era. During the course of his comparatively brief, eight season, 98 game league career he topped the SAFL goal kicking ladder in his debut season of 1921 with 42 goals, as well as in 1924 (53 or 54 - sources vary), 1925 (59) and 1926 (65). He was Norwood’s leading goal kicker five times. Lightweight and lithe, he outmanoeuvred full backs with a combination of pace and guile, and his left foot kicking for goal was perfection itself, both in terms of style and accuracy. With Bent at the goalfront, the Redlegs were a consistent force, winning premierships in 1922-3 and 1925. 

Some of Bent’s best football was played in the interstate arena. His 17 appearances for South Australia included games at the 1924 Hobart carnival, and he booted a total of 60 interstate goals. Roy Bent was a more accomplished all round footballer than many full forwards, and when required could play as a rover with almost equal effectiveness. Considering the enormously high regard in which he was held during his playing career, he was a perhaps somewhat surprising omission from Norwood’s official ‘Team of the Century’.

Author - John Devaney