Bosustow jumped to his feet and threw both arms in the air to celebrate, only for Wayne “the Dominator” Johnston to jump excitedly into his arms and collapse to the ground under the Heatley Stand at Princes Park. There might not be a more Carlton moment of that period.
Incredibly, Bosustow only played 65 games for the Blues. It feels like he played 200. But it was the manner he played those 65 that marked him out and means he still evokes nostalgic smiles from fans who long for that glorious period when Carlton were good and good to watch.
“I think of what a character Buzz was and how much he took to the big stage,” Hunter said.
“I look back on him in his first year, winning mark of the year, goal of the year and a grand final – him being a half-forward, me being a half-back.
“He used to joke that I was the extrovert and him the introvert, when it was obviously the other way around. He 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.
“The Carlton people loved Buzz and he loved Carlton.”
Bosustow takes a screamer.Credit: Fairfax
Bob Bosustow became ill and Peter returned home to WA in 1984 when he was 24 and in his prime. He attempted a VFL return and came back to Victoria at the end of 1985 as part of an astonishing Blues recruiting coup that brought in Craig Bradley, Peter Motley, Stephen Kernahan and John Dorotich in the one summer. While he did much of the pre-season he had returned home by the time the 1986 season started.
“Peter 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 – a case in point that smother, gather and goal,” his Carlton premiership coach David Parkin said.
“Peter had remarkable capacities in the air and on the ground, and was probably as exciting a player to watch as we ever had.
“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.”
Back in Perth he won the Perth Demons’ goalkicking three times and was named in their team of the century. He played State of Origin for WA.
He died on Monday morning, leaving behind his wife Shelley, son Brent and daughter Brooke.
