A rose in any other game?

Mid West footy will be saying farewell, but not goodbye, to a legend tomorrow.

Masters player Allan Rose has been 65 for about five years now, according to his mates, and that’s the least of his accomplishments.

He’s been handballing the footy around his “backyard” — the Rec — for 20 years and well over 100 matches, but when the siren goes there tomorrow, he’ll be hanging up his boots — probably for good.

The president of the Mighty Blues masters club for nearly as long as he’s been playing, Rose is planning to stay in the game he describes as “like a moving Men’s Shed” and continue meeting good people and good mates — just not while taking marks on the oval.

“It’s a really good concept,” he said. “The moral of it is ‘footy for kicks’.

I’ve been rapt to be involved for so long, and I still want to be involved.

“I might have a little bit of a run, but basically I want to retire.

“I might get involved in the umpiring side, I’m not sure, but I want to stay involved because of the friendship.

“Over the 20 years I’ve been involved, there are people that are really close friends who I would never have met otherwise.”

Mighty Blues president Peter Hobbs, who took over the role in October, said Rose had been the main man for the club for a long time and his involvement would still be key.

He said the club had held up a banner for Rose to run through for his 100th game five years ago, and played slightly fast and loose with the facts at the time, including exaggerating his age and prospects of retirement — but said they appreciated the effort put in by Rose, now actually 65, and would be celebrating his achievements tomorrow.

He said along the way, Rose had racked up numbers that might make a professional player or two look sideways, while also sharing some insight into his playing style.

Rosie’s been priceless

“(Tomorrow) will be his 135th game, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but you only play seven or eight games a year.

“When he played his 100th game, we put together an article which got published, and there weren’t too many facts in it.

“He was president for the best part of 19 years.

“He’s been the backbone of masters footy for Mighty Blues.

He’s always one of the key organisers and anyone who’s new to the club, and their families, he makes them feel welcome.

“He’s been magic, really, putting things together, he’s been the glue of our club.

“He’s always been one of the major guys organising the Perth trip and he’s represented the Mighty Blues up here for the Mid West and been a voice for Masters WA up here.

“He’s known for his goalkicking prowess.

“He usually plays in the forward pocket or half-forward flank and finds a lot of space.

“No doubt we’ll see a heap of guys who’ve played footy with him over the years turn up.

“Hopefully we get a nice day.”

Mighty Blues kick off at 2.45pm against Northampton, and Dongara face Mariners at 4pm.

There will also be a children’s footy kicking competition and a sausage sizzle, and meals for sale with a function to celebrate Rose’s career.