Final farewell: Commemorating AFL legend Ron Barassi in a Melbourne memorial service
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On Friday, 10 November, thousands paid tribute to an incredible man and one of sport's greatest ambassadors—AFL legend Ron Barassi.
Ron Barassi, the ten-time Victorian Football League premiership winner as both a player and a coach, passed away aged 87 on 16 September.
Barassi’s loved ones and the public gathered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to celebrate his remarkable life, paying homage to his endless contributions to the AFL and the wider community.
Barassi played over 250 games of VFL—204 for Melbourne and 49 for Carlton. He led his sides to 10 premierships as both player and coach at Melbourne, Carlton, and North Melbourne.
He also served as the coach for a total of 515 AFL/VFL games, overseeing teams such as the Demons, Blues, Kangaroos, and Sydney Swans.
He was designated as one of football’s biggest shortly after his death.
Barassi’s legacy has been revered by some of the AFL’s biggest names, such as Carlton’s President Luke Sayers.
'A giant of Australian football, who left a legacy at every club whose doors he walked through...none more so than our own,’ Sayers said.
AFL Chairman Richard Goyder also paid tribute to and shared his admiration of Barassi.
'He revolutionised the game as a player—created the position of ruck rover–-built premiership success at clubs as a coach, and then was our first great evangelist to take the game north and grow it to become what we have today,' he said.
But it’s not just football where Barassi left his mark.
On New Year’s Day in 2009, he saved a woman from a group of attackers, who ended up beating him instead. Barassi suffered serious head injuries thereafter.
He was formally recognised in 2012 with a bravery award.
Given the part he played in Australian football’s history, the AFL considered renaming the premiership cup or medals as one of the options to best honour Barassi. However, they are still taking into account other ways to honour the late AFL legend.
In a previous story, the AFL removed former North Melbourne player Barry Cable from its Hall of Fame and his legendary status due to revelations of child sexual abuse. Read more about the story here.
Members, were you a fan of Ron Barassi? Share your stories about him in the comments below.
Ron Barassi, the ten-time Victorian Football League premiership winner as both a player and a coach, passed away aged 87 on 16 September.
Barassi’s loved ones and the public gathered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to celebrate his remarkable life, paying homage to his endless contributions to the AFL and the wider community.
Barassi played over 250 games of VFL—204 for Melbourne and 49 for Carlton. He led his sides to 10 premierships as both player and coach at Melbourne, Carlton, and North Melbourne.
A memorial service will be dedicated to AFL legend Ron Barassi. Credit: abc.net.au
He also served as the coach for a total of 515 AFL/VFL games, overseeing teams such as the Demons, Blues, Kangaroos, and Sydney Swans.
He was designated as one of football’s biggest shortly after his death.
Barassi’s legacy has been revered by some of the AFL’s biggest names, such as Carlton’s President Luke Sayers.
'A giant of Australian football, who left a legacy at every club whose doors he walked through...none more so than our own,’ Sayers said.
AFL Chairman Richard Goyder also paid tribute to and shared his admiration of Barassi.
'He revolutionised the game as a player—created the position of ruck rover–-built premiership success at clubs as a coach, and then was our first great evangelist to take the game north and grow it to become what we have today,' he said.
But it’s not just football where Barassi left his mark.
On New Year’s Day in 2009, he saved a woman from a group of attackers, who ended up beating him instead. Barassi suffered serious head injuries thereafter.
He was formally recognised in 2012 with a bravery award.
Given the part he played in Australian football’s history, the AFL considered renaming the premiership cup or medals as one of the options to best honour Barassi. However, they are still taking into account other ways to honour the late AFL legend.
In a previous story, the AFL removed former North Melbourne player Barry Cable from its Hall of Fame and his legendary status due to revelations of child sexual abuse. Read more about the story here.
Members, were you a fan of Ron Barassi? Share your stories about him in the comments below.
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