Geelong is mourning the passing of premiership defender and former coach, John Devine, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 82.

Devine was recruited from Colac as a 20-year-old in 1960 and went to on to play 118 games for the Cats after debuting against Footscray at the Whitten Oval in the first round of that year. ‘Colac’, as he became known, quickly established himself as a tough and courageous defender and a key part of an emerging side that would go on to win the 1963 premiership.

In his seven years at Kardinia Park, Devine was vice-captain from 1961-1966 and was runner-up in the club’s best and fairest twice, including in his debut season in 1960 and again in 1965.

In 1967, Devine became captain-coach of North Hobart in Tasmania, leading the reigning wooden spooners to a premiership in his first season, and two more, in 1969 and 1973.

Devine subsequently returned to Geelong as senior coach between 1986 and 1988. In 1993 he was made a Life Member and elevated to the club’s Hall of Fame in 2002.

Devine will be remembered as a fearless player and a passionate Geelong man, loved by all of his teammates, and will be sadly missed.

Rest easy, Colac.