Merv Agars

Early life Born to John and Margaret, on a sheep farm close to Elliston, South Australia, Agars grew up as one of 10 siblings, with seven brothers and two sisters. Aged 13, he began boarding at Prince Alfred College in Adelaide and studied there for three years before returning to the family farm.

In 1948, he joined The Advertiser and worked in the printing office, while he continued to play football for West Adelaide and at representative level for South Australia. Agars topped the goalkicking at West Adelaide in 1951, his penultimate season.

Retired from football, Agars transferred to the editing section of The Advertiser in 1953 and began work as a sports journalist.

During his journalism career, Agars covered four Summer Olympics.

Personal life One of Agars' West Adelaide teammates, Don Taylor, was his brother-in law, and a nephew, Leon Lovegrove, played in the club's 1961 premiership team.

Agars' son, Graeme, is a noted golf and tennis commentator.

Death Agars retired and resided in the Barossa Valley until his death in 2017.