ONE of Port Adelaide’s top backmen through one of its strongest periods, Trevor Obst, has passed away at the age of 75.

For a hard-running back pocket, the man affectionately known as ‘Bubbles’ personified the transition of football in the sixties as well as any of them.

The stout Port Adelaide defender was both hard and fast – a strong barrel-chested mark who was loved for his skilled and fleet-footed style.

He was a favourite among the passionate legion of fans that turned out to barrack for the Magpies every Saturday.

Hard to match on any day, Obst began playing league football at the back end of the club’s golden age, but was certainly part of that special group of Port Adelaide men that dominated football under the watchful eye of supercoach Fos Williams.

He was a member of four SANFL premiership teams.

A favourite of a proud Port dynasty

Obst was a second generation footballer, his father Ken (165 games) was a successful Magpie in his own right.

Alongside his brother Peter, Bubbles would turn the Obst family into household names in the sixties – two brothers at the top of their game playing league footy side-by-side.

Trevor is the maternal grandfather of current Port Adelaide vice-captain Brad Ebert.

Retiring in 1972, Obst played 205 games for Port Adelaide and kicked 49 goals in 14 seasons with the club.

He would serve on Port Adelaide SANFL selection committee and many other voluntary roles around Alberton.

Former Port Adelaide captain Tim Ginever spoke highly of Bubbles he knew, first as his favourite player, and later as a face around the club.

“I remember when I started playing, I met Bubbles and all he would say to me was, ‘Why don’t you mark on your chest any more?’” Ginever told portadelaidefc.com.au.

"He was one of the quickest blokes off five metres, great chest mark, great kick, a classic Port backman, and he obviously won the '67 Magarey.

“But my big thing on Bubbles was that he was the first player that I identified with as a player, and I know there’d be plenty of Port people my age would be the same.

“When my old man met Bubbles one day, all he kept telling him were stories about how I would run around the backyard as a three-year-old kid shouting, “Bubbles Obst! Bubbles Obst!

“He was a great player and a very, very lovely man, he loved our footy club and used to volunteer around the place when he’d retired – many will miss him.”

The Port Adelaide Football Club extends its sympathies to Lorraine, Christine and Craig, Jenny and Ross, Tania, Adam, Brad, Rebecca, Andrew and Ashleigh.

Trevor Obst record of achievement

205 SANFL games, 49 goals (Port Adelaide)

8 state caps (South Australia)

Best and Fairest - 2nd place (1960) 3rd place (1967,1969`1)

Life Member 1967