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{xtypo_dropcap}T{/xtypo_dropcap}he seventies was a good era for the Perth Football Club. Between 1970 and 1978 they won two premierships in succession(1976 and 77) and were runners up in 1970, 74, and 78. They had a star studded line up in that decade, being represented by players of the calibre of Miller, Brehaut, Cable, Astone, Shields, Wiley, and Bosustow to name just a few. You could have named a complete football team in positions of the Perth players who played for the State in the seventies.

One of the men behind the Demons success in those years was ruckman Wim Rosbender. At six foot five and a quarter, Rosbender wasn’t as heavily built as most players of that height, but his mobility and stamina made him an outstanding ruckman who combined well with the talents of the running players that Perth possessed, such as Wiley, Cable, Mitsopoulos, Brehaut, and Millson.

Wim Rosbender graduated from the Vic Park juniors to Perth colts in 1970, where, under the coaching of Brian Ashworth, he quickly came under the notice of the club, and became captain of the colts the following season.

When Barry Cable took over as playing coach of the Demons in 1972, Rosbender went straight into the league side, and soon established himself as a permanent ruckman. Ken Armstrong took over the reigns two years later, and saw the value of the young tall in other roles, and he was to alternate between ruck and centre half forward for the remainder of Armstrong’s tenure.

In 1974, Rosbender saw WAFL grand final action for the first time, and, as a forward, was one of Perth’s best , but it was for a losing cause as East Fremantle took the honours. Two years later, though, the Demons grabbed the flag with a hard fought win over East Perth, with Rosbender once again a target at centre half forward.

1977 was a big year for Wim Rosbender. He made his debut for Western Australia, and played against Victoria and South Australia, showing his versatility in the Victorian encounter by filling in at full back. “I’d never played there before,” he said. “Lining up on Peter Hudson was daunting. I must have done OK though, because he didn’t kick a goal on me.”

Perth went on to a second successive premiership, with a record score of 26.13(169) against East Fremantle, avenging the 1974 result, and ruckman Rosbender won the Simpson Medal. A Subiaco quagmire and a determined East Perth conspired to foil their hat trick attempt in 1978, and it also spelt the end of Perth’s dominance of the WAFL, consigning them back to the pack for the eighties.

Wim Rosbender struck injury trouble three games into the 1979 season, but captained the side in 1980. A sales representative, he was then transferred in his employment to Sydney, which prompted his retirement from league football.

Wim returned to Western Australia, and in 1985 was a runner for new coach Rob Wiley.

The man who played in two premierships, won a Simpson Medal, and played three times in the black and gold of Western Australia replied when asked about the highlights of his career: “Definitely playing with the blokes I played with at the Perth Football Club. It was my privilege to play with those great footballers. It was a pleasure to be among a bunch of hard working, team oriented guys who were well coached by Ken Armstrong, assisted by Frank Pyke.”

While giving his accolade as best he’d played against to Stephen Michael(“I could get away from some of the other blokes with my pace, but not Steve”), he was full of praise for the magic and ability of Cable and Wiley.

Wim is still busy with a wholesaling business, but is a regular at Eftel Oval, and enjoys getting away to his “holiday place” down South with his wife, Karen.

Perth were the dominant team of the Seventies. Wim Rosbender’s contribution to that should not be forgotten.

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