St Kilda has lost a popular former player in Steve Roberts.
Steve Roberts did not touch an Aussie Rules football until he was 12, but by the age of 17 he was playing senior footy for St Kilda.
Steve passed away on November 7 at the age of 77.
Born in Cornwell, Wales, he was six years old when his family migrated to Australia.
In his words the family were “10 pound Poms”, and initially settled in Naracoorte, South Australia. He first played footy at the age of “12 or 13” and by 1965 the Saints gave him a few games in the reserves at the age of 16. He was allowed to return to his local club Springvale to play in the finals.
He debuted for the senior St Kilda team in 1966 with a taste of the big time in two games on the bench.
In later years he recalled “I was in the senior squad training at the MCG during the ‘’66 finals. It was hard to believe- here’s a young Pom in the squad playing with Ditterich, Stewart and Baldock. I had my first full senior game on the day they unfurled the flag on the opening day at Moorabbin in 1967.”
He played in a number of positions, mainly as a defender, and at six foot three inches (191cm), "I wasn’t big enough for the ruck in those days.”
Across the seasons 1966 to 1970 he played 40 senior games before a bad car crash resulted in a broken leg and ankle. He said the ankle was never right after that and St Kilda did a deal with Tasmanian club East Devonport where he was a “fly-in” player for two seasons. He then had a year at Bendigo and also played with Whyalla and Benalla.
He lived in SA town Victor Harbour in later years, but was delighted to be invited back to Melbourne earlier this year for the 60th anniversary reunion of all players who were on the senior list in 1966.
Nicknamed “Melon”, over the years he remained as good mates of Jim O’Dea and Bob Murray.
Vale Saint Steve.
