ONE of the cult heroes of Red Cliffs' premiership sides of the 1980s, Robert "Bert" Keeble, died on Friday morning after a short battle with throat cancer.

He was 61.

Tigers' 1985 premiership coach Gavin Ridley knew Keeble from both sides, as an opponent and teammate, and spoke highly of the "larger than life" character who he coached to a flag that year.

"Going back I played a reasonable amoun...