Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, in partnership with Slater & Gordon, will honour former player Robert Rose’s contribution to sport and raise funds and awareness for people living with disability when the teams play for the Robert Rose Cup on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

The Robert Rose Foundation provides support to those suffering from spinal injuries and physical disabilities through Independence Australia.

It is named after Robert who played 26 games for Collingwood between 1970 and 1972 and nine for Footscray in 1973. He was the son of legendary Collingwood player and coach Bob Rose, and his uncles Kevin, Ralph and Bill Rose all played for the club with distinction.

Rose was a sporting prodigy, playing 19 First Class cricket games for Victoria as a middle order batsman between 1971/1972 and 1973/1974. He played in two VFL finals for the Magpies, and scored a century against Queensland at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.

In 1974, at 22 years of age, Rose become a quadriplegic in a car accident. He remained a popular figure around the club until he passed away in 1999 when the Robert Rose Foundation was formed in his honour.

The theme of this year’s Robert Rose Cup, which is proudly sponsored by leading law firm Slater & Gordon, is disability inclusion, specifically focusing on encouraging more people living with a disability to get involved in sport and recreation activities.

For every use of the #disabilityinclusion hashtag, Slater & Gordon will donate $1 to the Robert Rose Foundation up to $7,000.

The two clubs have played for the Robert Rose Cup annually since 2000, with Collingwood holding an 9-5 edge in the 14 contests.

Since 2007, the Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton Medal has been awarded following Robert Rose Cup matches, recognising two players who are legends of their clubs and the game itself.

The Medal is awarded to the player in the match who best exemplifies the qualities that Rose and Sutton become renowned for during their careers – toughness, skill, courage, leadership, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Robert Rose Cup Results
Round 20 2000
Western Bulldogs 15.10 (100) def. Collingwood 13.13 (91) at Colonial Stadium

Round 3 2001
Collingwood 23.15 (153) def. Western Bulldogs 12.9 (81) at Colonial Stadium

Round 22 2002
Western Bulldogs 17.12 (114) def. Collingwood 10.13 (73) at the MCG

Round 13 2003
Collingwood 18.20 (128) def. Western Bulldogs 12.14 (85) at Telstra Dome

Round 2 2004
Collingwood 15.16 (106) def. Western Bulldogs 13.19 (97) at the MCG

Round 22 2005
Western Bulldogs 21.15 (141) def. Collingwood 14.16 (100) at Telstra Dome

Round 9 2006
Collingwood 21.13 (139) def. Western Bulldog 16.9 (105) at the MCG

Round 8 2007
Western Bulldogs 20.15 (135) def. Collingwood 14.16 (100) at Telstra Dome
Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton Medal: Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)

Round 13 2008
Western Bulldogs 15.9 (99) def. Collingwood 14.18 (102) at Telstra Dome
Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton Medal: Ben Johnson (Collingwood)

Round 15 2009
Collingwood 17.9 (111) def. Western Bulldogs 16.14 (110) at Etihad Stadium
Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton Medal: Dane Swan (Collingwood)

Round 11 2010
Collingwood 17.11 (113) def. Western Bulldogs 16.7 (103) at Etihad Stadium
Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton Medal: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)

Round 6 2011
Collingwood 15.15 (105) def. Western Bulldogs 8.9 (57) at the MCG
Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton Medal: Heath Shaw (Collingwood)

Round 6 2012
Collingwood 15.8 (98) def. Western Bulldogs 11.11 (77) at Etihad Stadium
Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton Medal: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)

Round 12 2013
Collingwood 15.9 (99) def. Western Bulldogs 9.11 (65) at Etihad Stadium
Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton Medal: Heath Shaw (Collingwood)



Robert Rose shares a moment with his father Bob (152 games) and uncle Kevin (159 games).