VALE Merv Roberts

VALE Merv Roberts – 30/12/1923 – 24/10/2024

The Norwood Football Club is saddened by the passing of Mervyn Arthur Roberts.

Merv played 162 games for Norwood between 1946 and 1956, and represented South Australia on five occasions. He was later inducted into Norwood’s Hall of Fame and received Life Membership of the club.

He played in three SANFL Premierships in 1946, 1948 and 1950, and also played in the 1947 and 1952 Grand Finals.

Merv was slightly built but became one of the most respected defenders of his era.

He grew up in the Norwood area, attending Norwood High School before enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. He served as a flying officer on the South West Pacific and Borneo before being discharged in 1946.

He made his debut for the Redlegs in Round 3, 1946 at Alberton Oval against Port Adelaide and went on to play 10 seasons at the club.

Merv passed away last Thursday at the age of 100. On Merv’s 100th birthday last December, Roger Woodcock, Robbie Neill and Declan Hamilton (fellow wearers of the number 10 Norwood guernsey) visited him and presented him with a framed number 10 guernsey.

Rest in Peace Merv Roberts.

Merv Roberts

Career: 1946 to 1956
NFC Games: 162
NFC Goals: 6