Solidly built but agile and skilful in equal measure, Glendinning was considered one of the finest key-position players of his era.
The Ross Glendinning Medal is named in his honour and is awarded to the player judged best afield in the Western Australian derby between West Coast and Fremantle each AFL season.
When West Coast was formed in 1986, Glendinning returned to his home state and was appointed the club's inaugural captain.
In March 2000, while serving as Fremantle's match committee chairman, Glendinning attracted attention for making remarks on television claiming Essendon's star full-forward Matthew Lloyd was suspect under physical pressure.
Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy showed a video of the interview to his players in the lead-up to the match at Subiaco Oval.