Legends of SANFL - Panther Power & Roger Woodcock

[smac]

''have an ale with the whale'' a catchcry in melbourne for many years, i have learnt something tonight & that was 'the whale' actually came from adelaide & went to perth before playing in melbourne


one for the memory bank because when in melbourne i think we could win a lot of money on that

Brian "Whale" Roberts used to have his South Adelaide lace-up displayed in his bar. He never made any secret of the fact he played for South Adelaide, so it may be more common knowledge than you imagine. It is also recorded in the Encyclodedia of AFL Footballers that he played in WA & SA before going to Richmond.

For the record, he played 57 games for South Adelaide from 1965 to 1967, and represented South Australia 3 times.

Sadly his bar manager resigned about 6 or 8 years back and the pub went downhill after that as the whale was too keen to sit and drink with the patrons instead of running the place. But his collection of guernseys on the wall was a sight to see, that's for sure. Was a great place to stay when in Melbourne at one stage.

[Ebert, Evans & Me]

If you are taking requests, Ivan Eckermann is a notable absentee from your otherwise excellent site.

[Conrad Gates]

''have an ale with the whale'' a catchcry in melbourne for many years, i have learnt something tonight & that was 'the whale' actually came from adelaide & went to perth before playing in melbourne


one for the memory bank because when in melbourne i think we could win a lot of money on that

Brian "Whale" Roberts used to have his South Adelaide lace-up displayed in his bar. He never made any secret of the fact he played for South Adelaide, so it may be more common knowledge than you imagine. It is also recorded in the Encyclodedia of AFL Footballers that he played in WA & SA before going to Richmond.

For the record, he played 57 games for South Adelaide from 1965 to 1967, and represented South Australia 3 times.

The Whale displayed many a jumper in his pub (is just across the road from my office). Given his playing history, I'd reckon most of 'em were actually his!