Bob Rose

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

To paraphrase the introduction to old TV show The Naked City, there are many stories in finals history, these are a few. Every player and team strive for the ultimate prize of a premiership. Over the years, there have been many players whose teams get to the Finals or a Grand Final, but they are absent either through injury, poor form, suspension or simply being excluded from selection. These are some of those stories. [Ed. note: A "tragic" is someone for whom luck does not fall on their side and in this case, a perhaps once in a career opportunity is missed.]

In 1966 the Magpies and Saints, like the teams of today, had a host of stars. Collingwood had Des Tuddenham, Len Thompson and Ray Gabelich to name a few. Tuddenham was captain and Thompson would win the Brownlow Medal six years later. The Saints had Darrel Baldock in their forward line and young ruckman Carl Ditterich. Baldock debuted in 1962 and Ditterich a year later. Ian Stewart also debuted in 1963. All three would go on to become League and club legends.