The Rosewater Football Club was founded in the mid 1880’s (see Photo Gallery / Archives for match report 1887) and played in the Suburban Junior Football Association (where the Junior refers to sub-League rather than as nowadays to age), and local Port Adelaide leagues. The Club has played under the Rosewater name since forming. It is the only “old” club in the north western suburbs not to have suffered an amalgamation.
The Club was a powerhouse in the local competition winning many premierships. It joined the SA Amateur League in 1949, then playing and continuing to play, at the Eric Sutton Reserve, Newcastle Street, Rosewater.
The halcyon days of the Club (in the SAAFL) were in the 50’s and 60’s, culminating in winning the 1957 A1 Division Premiership. Demographics change and the demise of work at Port Adelaide and the “greying” of the area, with the competition of many nearby clubs, have seen the fortunes of the Club decline (in playing strength).
Still a strength in Division 1 in the mid 70’s the Club’s Captain, John Staker, was named All-Australian captain. Over the years many players have represented the State. The most decorated player is (the late) Kevin Jacquier with five medals. Jim Farr, 1954, and Charles Cawthorne, 1971, are the Division 1 Hone Medallists. There are currently six players accredited with over 300 SAAFL games, being Kevin Thomas, Frank Carbone, Kevin Jacquier, Graham Morris, Malcolm Jorgensen, and Peter Tozer.
Over the years many former Rosewater juniors have progressed to SANFL and AFL. Players to have been drafted to AFL include:
Bruce Abernethy;
Che, David, and Donald Cockatoo-Collins;
Trent Ormond-Allen; and
Jarrad Poulton.
Brian Cunningham the Port Adelaide (AFL) Club first C.E.O. is also a former Rosewater Junior and 1967 Derwent Medallist (best and fairest U16s).
The Club plays an A and B Grade in Division 5 and 5 Reserve, in the SAAFL, with juniors in the Metro-West Junior League and has an “Old Dogs” team in the Super Rules.
