Perth legend and dual premiership Blue Peter Bosustow — one of the most electrifying players during a dominant Carlton era — has died after a long illness.
The Blues on Monday morning confirmed Bosustow passed away overnight, aged 67, while surrounded by family in Perth.
SEN journalist Sam Edmund reported Bosustow, who had battled cancer before his death, “raised a fist at the final siren” on Sunday as his Blues produced an upset win over Geelong at the MCG.
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A Perth team of the century member and WA state representative, Bosustow played 141 games for Demons in the WAFL either side of a celebrated VFL stint.
Affectionately known as ‘The Buzz’, Bosustow was one of the most exciting players in the then-VFL between 1981 and 1983, kicking 146 goals and playing a crucial role in Carlton’s 1981 and 1982 premierships.
He remarkably won both the Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year in his first season at the Blues as he showed off his high-flying ability and terrific goal nous inside 50. The goal was breathtaking, throwing himself across the boot of Geelong’s Ian Nankervis to smother before snapping truly from deep in a forward pocket in the 1981 second semi-final.
Bosustow played just 65 matches for the Blues in three seasons – he returned to WA to be with family due to his father’s illness — but left an indelible football legacy in Victoria.
Former Carlton teammate Ken Hunter said Bosustow was “a unique character and a rare football talent in equal measure”.
“That talent was obvious in Perth but it went to another level when he came to Melbourne,” Hunter told Carlton’s website on Monday.
“The Carlton people loved ‘Buzz’ and he loved Carlton.”
Former Blues coach David Parkin said Bosustow was “an exceptional talent”.
“I’ve coached some outstandingly talented players, but on his day Peter could do things on a footy field few could emulate,” Parkin told Carlton media.
“Peter had remarkable capacities in the air and on the ground, and was probably as exciting a player to watch as we ever had.
“What was really good was that despite the ups and downs of a coach/player relationship we remained really good mates and shared so much over the journey. We used to call, text or email each other a lot, particularly through the course of his illness which began 18 months ago. As a player he tested me like nobody else, but he was always quick to apologise to me and the players and it was just a bit sad that he decided to go home. But he was a gem of a bloke.”
Bosustow leaves behind his wife Shelley, son Brent and daughter Brooke.
