Collingwood has known no more famous family in its history than the Rose family.
Bob Rose, of course, is one of the most significant figures in the Club’s history: one of our greatest-ever players, and a brilliant coach who was so very nearly a multiple Premiership-winning leader.
Three of his brothers also enjoyed significant senior careers. Bill was part of the 1953 flag alongside Bob, Kevin played in the 1958 triumph at the start of what turned out to be a 10-year career and would later serve as Club President, while Ralph played 23 games over two seasons. One of Bob’s sons, Robert, was also a senior player with both the Pies and Footscray before the fateful car accident that rendered him a quadriplegic in 1974.
But there was a fifth, less-heralded, Rose brother – Colin. And he too had a significant part to play in Collingwood’s near-glory days under Bob’s coaching.
Colin was a handy footballer himself, and played with our reserves and under-19s in the mid-1950s. He came from Sealake and played at least seven games with the Under-19s and 10 with the reserves before leaving Victoria Park at the end of 1957. He could well have gone further, but battled with severe asthma as a young man.
When older brother Bob returned to Collingwood as coach in 1964, however, he brought Colin back with him to act as the team’s runner. Bob always felt that Colin had a great footy brain, and thought he would be a great asset delivering his messages to the players.
And so Colin sat alongside his brother on the bench during some of the most important matches in the Club’s history. He was out on the ground delivering messages in the dying stages of the Grand Finals in 1964, 1966 and 1970 – all heartbreaking losses. He was there when all hell broke loose in the 1965 preliminary final against Essendon, after Duncan Wright had clobbered John Somerville. No matter the game or the situation, he was always there.
Colin was a loyal, smart and hard-working right-hand man to Bob during his time as coach. Respected and loved by the players and the rest of the coaching team.
Colin sadly passed away late in March, aged 88. The Board, players and staff at Collingwood send our condolences to Colin’s family and the entire Rose clan.
