Collingwood legend Bob Rose, one of the most revered figures in the famous AFL club's history, lost his battle with cancer.

The 74-year-old, a member of the AFL's Hall Of Fame, was with his family when he died.

"He was a dear friend of mine for many years, it's very sad," fellow Magpies legend Lou Richards told 3AW.

"We knew it was a matter of time, but I'm still shocked about it."

Rose was diagnosed with cancer in May and underwent chemotherapy.

He still went to Collingwood games as late as two Saturday nights ago, but had to leave before the end of the Magpies' win over the Western Bulldogs.

Also late last month, the AFL announced Rose would present the premiership cup to the victorious coach and captain at this year's grand final.

The club's website honoured him as "one of that rare breed - a man in football who seemed to have no enemies".

It also described him as one of the game's best post-war rovers, rated alongside Leigh Matthews and triple Brownlow Medallist Bob Skilton.

Rose was a four-time club best and fairest winner, played in the 1953 premiership and was runner-up for that year's Brownlow Medal.

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