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Key Facts

Full name
Ross William Glendinning

Known as
Ross Glendinning

Born
17 September 1956 (age 68)

Place of birth
Subiaco, WA (6008)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 21y 196d
Last game: 31y 352d

Height and weight
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 89 kg

Senior clubs
East Perth; North Melbourne; Australia; West Coast

Jumper numbers
North Melbourne: 4
West Coast: 4

Recruited from
East Perth (1978); North Melbourne (1987)

State of origin
WA

Hall of fame
Australian Football Hall of Fame (2000); Western Australian Football Hall Of Fame (2004)

Family links
Gus Glendinning (Father)

Ross Glendinning

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
East PerthWANFL1974-19775620.04—————
North MelbourneV/AFL1978-19861902141.1359%12.805.346.25102
AustraliaIR19843———————
West CoastV/AFL1987-1988401112.7855%10.253.686.2018
WANFL1974-19775620.04—————
V/AFL1978-19882303251.4159%12.365.056.24120
IR19843———————
Total1974-19882893271.13—————

AFL: 8,960th player to appear, 411th most games played, 169th most goals kickedNorth Melbourne: 696th player to appear, 36th most games played, 27th most goals kickedWest Coast: 6th player to appear, 126th most games played, 27th most goals kicked

After joining East Perth under the father-son rule (Dad Angus played 70 games for the Royals in 1941 and from 1945 to 1951) Ross Glendinning made his WANFL debut on Anzac Day 1974 against Subiaco, and immediately seemed right at home. Solidly built, he was nevertheless extremely quick, could take a grab, and kicked beautifully with both feet.

In 1975 he finished as a runner-up to team mate Alan Quartermaine in the Sandover Medal count and VFL talent scouts began to take notice. Courted by several Victorian clubs, Glendinning ultimately opted to join North Melbourne in time for the 1977 season, but East Perth, understandably, refused to clear him. Having played only 46 WANFL games the Royals' hierarchy felt that Glendinning owed them at least another season, and so, after sitting out of the game until July, the prodigal son returned to play out the remainder of the year with East Perth. The understanding was that, in return for this comparatively meagre display of loyalty, Glendinning would be cleared to the Kangaroos in 1978, and this indeed was what transpired.

Sadly for Glendinning, playing the 1977 season with East Perth instead of North Melbourne meant involvement in a losing WANFL Grand Final team rather than, possibly, a VFL premiership. Glendinning did get to front up at the MCG on that 'one day in September' the following year, but North lost to Hawthorn, and it would be the club's last Grand Final appearance for almost two decades.

Ross Glendinning was a regular interstate representative, and, with 13 appearances, holds the record for the most state of origin games for Western Australia. In 1987, after a stellar stint with North, which included winning the 1983 Brownlow Medal, he returned to his home state to join the newly formed West Coast Football Club where he spent the final couple of seasons of his league career.

Despite the brevity of his time with the club Ross Glendinning was chosen at centre half back in East Perth's official 'Team of the Century 1945 to 2005'.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy's WA Football Companion

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Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.