The irony of the whole “Rocky” thing was that Neville Roberts the footballer was nothing like the “bum” of the famous movie. As a player Neville was an aristocrat, the smoothest-moving, quickest leading, surest-marking, straightest-kicking key forward Norwood has ever had.

The real-life drama was what he went through to present himself on the field that way. Season after season, club medicos marvelled at the inner strength Neville called on to overcome chronic injuries that would have retired a lesser individual.

Out there though, the proof that his efforts were worth it was there for all to see. Neville gave his teammates a target, and he fi nished off their hard work with a mastery that lifted every one of them. His input was critical to two Norwood premierships - the very team honours he had so coveted when playing elsewhere.

But Neville’s value was much more than a healthy 3.8 goals a game. Because of the Rocky cult, officials at first resisted coach Neil Balme’s pleas to recruit his former Richmond teammate from West Torrens. Once he arrived, however, Norwood couldn’t get enough of a great club man. Neville was so at home that in time he was made Norwood captain, and years later, coach.

Games: 108 Goals: 413
Premierships: 1982, 1984 Captain: 1985, 1986
Coach: 2000-01 Leading goalkicker: 1982-85
Further honours: Norwood Team of the Century, SA captain 1984-85, SA games 5.

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