Peter Bosustow: AFL and WAFL community mourning death of former Perth and Carlton favourite, aged 67

The AFL and WAFL community is mourning the death of former Carlton and Perth favourite Peter Bosustow, aged 67.

A member of the WA Football Hall of Fame, Bosustow passed away in Perth on Monday morning following a battle with rectal and liver cancer.

Camera Icon One of Bosustow’s high-flying marks. Credit: GSP Images / AFL Photos/GSP

The player known as “The Buzz” was renowned for his considerable highlight reel across a 13-season career with the WAFL’s Demons and the VFL’s Blues, including two premierships with the latter in 1981 and 1982.

Camera Icon Bosustow broadcasting in 2000. Credit: IAIN GILLESPIE / WA News

Bosustow’s 1981 campaign included the extraordinary feat of winning both the VFL’s Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year in the same season - an achievement matched only by Richmond’s Michael Mitchell (1990) in the league’s history.

He kicked 146 goals in 65 games at Carlton, winning 49 of his 65 games in a dominant Blues era, before returning to WA in 1984 after his father - fellow former Blue, Bob - became ill.

Camera Icon Bosustow in his Perth days. Credit: The West Australian / The West Australian

Bosustow booted 379 majors in 141 WAFL appearances for Perth, including a key role in the club’s two most recent premierships in 1976 and 1977. He also represented WA eight times for 17 goals before calling time on his career in 1987.

He would go on to be named on a half-forward flank in the Demons’ Team of the Century, and earned his WA Football Hall of Fame induction in 2017.

Camera Icon Bosustow in 2016. Credit: Michael Willson / AFL Media

Perth president Adrian Barich described Bosustow as a legendary figure who “left a lasting mark on the game”.

“Known affectionately as ‘The Buzz’, Peter thrilled fans with his electrifying style, spectacular high-flying marks, ferocious tackling and unmistakable flair on the field,” Barich said.

“At both the Perth Football Club and Carlton, Peter Bosustow’s career was marked by brilliance and passion. He was a dual premiership player for the Demons and a dual premiership player with Carlton and a celebrated personality in the football community.

Camera Icon Bosustow completing a high-flying mark. Credit: WAN / Fairfax

“Beyond the goals and the marks, he was a character of the game—larger than life, and unforgettable to those who saw him play. A cult hero who, put simply, was a footballing genius.

“Today, we remember Peter Bosustow not just for his achievements, but for the joy he brought to fans across the country. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and the entire football community. Our thoughts are with Shelley, Brooke and Brent.

“Peter Bosustow was one of a kind, and he will be deeply missed.”

In a statement, Carlton paid tribute to one of the club’s all-time fan favourites.

“The great Australian game has lost a little of its lustre today, with the untimely passing of one of its most spectacular exponents, the two-time Carlton premiership forward Peter Bosustow,” the Blues said in a statement on Monday.

“Bosustow, 67, died in Perth early this morning after a long illness. He leaves behind his beloved wife Shelley, son Brent and daughter Brooke who were all with him to say their goodbyes.”

Upon revealing the start of his cancer battle in 2021, Bosustow told The West Australian that he would apply his trademark fight on the footy field to his medical challenge.

“I am going to meet it head on,” he said at the time. “Whatever comes up I will meet it then.”

Camera Icon Peter Bosustow and his wife Shelley at their Dudley Park home in Mandurah in 2021. Credit: Nic Ellis / The West Australian

Bosustow also said he and wife Shelley had been put “under enormous stress financially” following the collapse of home lease scheme operator Sterling First, which resulted in more than 100 tenants losing their life savings.

Former Blues teammate Ken Hunter described Bosustow as “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 said.

“The Carlton people loved Buzz and he loved Carlton.”

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