Born Subiaco, W.A.
17 September, 1956
Ross Glendinning was a champion footballer who set the seal on his greatness when he won the Brownlow Medal in 1983. A superb key position player in defence or attack for East Perth, North Melbourne and the West Coast Eagles, he was equally brilliant in interstate football and played in WA’s winning State-of Origin team in 1977. He was an automatic selection in WA State side until his retirement in 1988.
A son of Former East Perth player, Gus Glendinning, he joined his father’s club in 1974 and made his league debut that year. It was soon apparent that he was destined for eminence. In 1975 he was runner-up for the Sandover Medal and from that point his career went from strength to strength.
Glendinning soon came under the notice of Victorian scouts, especially those at North Melbourne. After only 56 games for East Perth, Glendinning joined North Melbourne in 1978 and went on to play 190 games for them. Equally at home at full-back, centre-half-back, centre-half-forward or full-forward, he quickly impressed Victorian critics as a key position player of considerable class.
Standing 188cm (6ft 2 in) and weighing 90kgs (14st 2Ib), he was, in the opinion of many, the finest key position player produced in WA. He was runner-up for the 1982 Brownlow Medal before becoming only the second Western Australian to win the coveted award the following year.
When the West Coast Eagles was formed late in 1986, Glendinning was viewed by the new club as an ideal inaugural captain. He returned home to complete his VFL-AFL career, leading the Eagles in 1987 and 1988 and heading the club’s goalkicking list in both seasons.
His last game was in the 1988 elimination final against Melbourne when he played at full-forward. Forty appearances for the Eagles took his tally of league games to 286.