Glen Rosser

(1969-1988, 1991-1999)

Glen Rosser was a wonderful servant of the Norwood Football Club as a player, coach and administrator. Originally from Port Elliot, he first played for the local primary school and then went on to captain Victor Harbor High School. Rosser also played with Port Elliot's senior team in the Great Southern Football League.
 
Moving to Adelaide to join the Redlegs, he stayed at Carmel Court in Kensington Park. The residence was owned by the Norwood Football Club, and was home for many other young Norwood recruits of the time.

Rosser made his League debut the same day as Roger Woodcock (267 games) in the second last minor round of the 1969 season. He started the 1970 season in the League side, but unfortunately dislocated his right elbow in round two, causing him to miss the rest of the year.
 
After making a successful comeback from the injury he quickly developed into one of the most consistent footballers in the SANFL. Predominantly playing on a wing, he also had short stints as a half forward and rover. But it is as an elusive wingman that he will be best remembered. A prolific ball-getter, "Black Duck" rarely had a quiet game and he was very high in Norwood's best players when the Redlegs broke their 25 year premiership drought in 1975.
 
In 1976, in a Wills Cup (Night series) clash against Carlton (VFL), he was again conspicuous on a wing, as the Redlegs thumped the Victorian side, 22.14 to 5.10. He injured a driving muscle on three occasions in 1976 and missed approximately half the season.
 
He was again in fine form when Norwood took out the 1977 Ardath Cup (Night series), beating East Perth (WAFL) by eight points (10.9 to 9.7) in the Grand Final.
 
Rosser played in another flag in 1978 when Norwood defeated Sturt by one point in the premiership decider, storming home from a seemingly hopeless position at three-quarter time.
 
After his playing career had come to a premature end because of injury, Rosser took on the role of Norwood Reserves coach.
He guided the team from 1982 to part of 1986, when Neville Roberts took over. During that time, the Reserves played in four Grand Finals, winning two premierships. Rosser was also the League assistant coach from 1982 to 1988. He was appointed Norwood's Technical & Development Officer in 1991.
 
From January 1992, the club's football administration was in the hands of Wally Miller and Rosser, as Miller gradually handed over
his responsibilities to Rosser. The legendary Miller had made the decision to phase himself out and Rosser became the new General Manager. He was to hold that position from 1993 to 1999.
 
Having been a fantastic clubman from 1969, Rosser then turned his focus to the SANFL. Between 1999 and 2006 Rosser was the League's Football Operations Manager, and from 2007 to 2013 the General Manager of the South Australian Community Football League.
 
Already in Norwood's Hall of Fame and a NFC Life Member, Rosser was made a SANFL Life Member in 2015.
 
Games: 182 Goals: 142
Premierships: 1975, 1978
Further honours: Norwood Player Life Member, NFL Champions of Australia Night Competition 1977
Norwood service: Reserves coach 1982-part 1986, League assistant coach 1982-88, match committee and selector 1981-88, technical and development officer 1991-92, general manager 1993-99
Other service: SANFL football operations manager 1999 - 2006, SANFL general manager State League competition 2007

R Cialini Jan 2017

<< Back