A Tribute: Ross Stewart (Rosco)

By Bob McLellan

By contributing to ‘A Tribute’, Ross joined a group from our Club whom I am very lucky to have met. A group of passionate, committed members who love our Club. Much of what is said here is included in his excellent piece - page 457 of ‘A Tribute’.

Ross started at our Club with the Under 19’s under Roger ‘Doggy’ Brown, Shane ‘Gonzo’ Young and Stewart ‘Egg’ Murray. As Rosco himself admits, he was very lucky to have met with three such passionate Tonners at the start of his time at our Club.

Also, Ross experienced the coaching methods of Dale Tapping, Jared O’Neill and Stan Glascott. He was Assistant Coach to Joe Coy and Simon Williams (now Senior Coach at Caulfield Grammarians). The lessons Ross learnt from all the above coaches were to reap rewards in his own legendary coaching career.

Ross began coaching the Reserves in 2010 when Paul McCormack was coaching the Seniors and Adam Pirrie the Under 19’s. Rob Jakobi was President.

One year later in 2011, Ross’ team appropriately named, ‘The Invincibles’, had 20 wins and 0 losses!

They won the Grand Final narrowly against Old Ivanhoe. Read Andrew ‘Fish’ Mullett’s brilliant coverage of that game in the photos below.

Then in 2017 Ross’ boys had another Grand Final win against Old Scotch. The Seniors, under coach Greg Hutchison also defeated Old Scotch on that day in their Grand Final. Ross continued coaching until 2018.

In 2002, Rosco won the Senior Best & Fairest Award and later on in the Reserves won two more B&F’s!

In 2018, Ross was awarded Life Membership & The Best Clubman Award.

Since 2018, Rosco has been Assistant Coach of the Seniors.

It is not hard to understand why we are such a strong, vibrant Club when you read about the contribution made by such wonderful guys as Ross Stewart.