The Western Bulldogs and Collingwood Football Clubs, in partnership with Slater & Gordon, will raise awareness for people living with disabilities when the two teams play off for the Robert Rose Cup on Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.
Sponsored by leading legal firm Slater & Gordon since 2013, the trophy named in honour of former Footscray and Collingwood player Robert Rose, was first introduced in 2007.
On match day this Sunday both clubs along with Slater & Gordon will raise awareness and funds for the Robert Rose Foundation, which supports Victorians with spinal cord injuries and honours Rose who tragically became a quadriplegic after a car accident in 1974.
Rose spent time at both clubs during his four year VFL career, playing nine games for Footscray in 1973 after calling Victoria Park home for three years and 26 games in the black and white.
The player judged best afield in Sunday’s match will be awarded the Sutton-Rose medal, named after Club legends Charlie Sutton (Footscray) and Bob Rose (Collingwood).
The Bob Rose–Charlie Sutton Medal is awarded to the player in the match who best exemplifies the qualities for which Sutton and Rose became renowned over their careers – courage, skill, leadership, and sportsmanship.
Sutton is one of the most famous names associated with the Western Bulldogs, and was the captain-coach of the Club’s only premiership in 1954.
Sutton sits alongside John Schultz and Doug Hawkins as one of only three Legends in the Footscray-Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame, and was named as coach and back-pocket in the Western Bulldogs’ Team of the Century.
Bob Rose is the father of Robert Rose and played 152 games for Collingwood – winning four Copeland Best and Fairest awards. He also coached Footscray in the mid-1970s.
The Bulldogs took home last year’s Robert Rose Cup, with midfielder Tom Liberatore winning the Sutton-Rose medal.
In partnership with Slater & Gordon, the two clubs - who have a proven record in supporting people with a disability - are working to make the match an annual event celebrating people with a disability and highlighting the importance of inclusion and respect.
Slater & Gordon is the naming rights sponsor for the game with the match day theme tying in with the organisation’s strong work in support of people with disabilities.
Slater & Gordon, the naming rights partner of the annual Robert Rose Cup, are also a foundation partner of the Sons of the West men’s health program and the Bulldogs’ coaches partner.
Slater and Gordon provides specialist legal services to individuals in a range of practice areas including all areas ofliability and compensation law, as well as other general legal services in areas such as family and relationship law, conveyancing, wills and estate planning.
