‘Rest easy, Colac’: Cats pay tribute to late coach, premiership defender

The AFL community is mourning the death of Geelong premiership star and former coach John Devine at the age of 82.

Devine, the defender dubbed ‘Colac’ given his ties to the town, made his debut for the Cats at the age of 20 and went on to play 118 games, including the 1963 premiership win over Fitzroy.

“Devine will be remembered as a fearless player and a passionate Geelong man, loved by all of his teammates, and will be sadly missed,” the Geelong Football Club said in a statement.

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Round 1

North Hobart premiership coach John Devine. Picture Barry WinburnSource: Supplied

“Rest easy, Colac.”

After leaving the Cats at the end of 1966 – where he finished runner up best and fairest twice, Devine quickly moved to coaching and headed south to join North Hobart as captain-coach for the 1967 season.

While famously still under suspension from the 1966 VFL finals series, Devine was forced to coach from over the boundary fence until his ban ended.

But his influence was immediate as he helped guide the formerly last-placed North Hobart to a grand final in his first season.

That match featured one of the all-time football moments as opposition fans tore down the goalposts just before the siren – after controversy over a North Hobart mark in the dying seconds that could have given the side a shot at victory.

The match, where Devine was arguably best on ground with five goals as a forward, would go on to be deemed ‘no result’.

North Hobart captain John Devine left, and Trevor Best are holding the downed post at the team’s 50-year reunion.
Picture: MATHEW FARRELLSource: News Corp Australia

Devine was described by Tasmanian media as “an inspiration” for what he was able to achieve in their league after arriving from Geelong.

Devine later returned to the Cats in 1986 as coach, taking over from Tom Hafey.