In front of a crowd of over 5000, on a warm November day, with the ground cricket carpet green, Ronald Dale Barassi was at the forefront of events. It was an odd time for him to hold court on his favourite stage, but memories of him will dominate our thoughts and stories for decades to come. Even the temperature obliged – as it should – reaching 31 degrees in perfect recognition of Ronald Dale Barassi.
Everyone who spoke on the stage knew Ron, and channelled his words and thoughts. Sitting in the stands, we – a block of the Members, Levels 1 and 2 – shared laughter and memories, shed a few tears, and recognised faces on the screen. It was like a footy day in miniature, with Ron Barassi at the heart of it. We saw shots of Ron in 2021, happy with the thirteenth Melbourne premiership cup. There he was in 1964, triumphant with the twelfth Melbourne premiership cup.
We learned new parts of the world of Ron Barassi – his friendship with Indigenous elder, Aunty Diane Kerr – and their shared link to this sacred ground that we embrace as the MCG. Amos Roach, son of Archie, gave us the haunting sounds of ‘Kangaroo Dreaming’, and Brigadier Robert Marsh channelled another haunting thought – the favourite Barassi saying of ‘If it is to be, it is up to me!’ Surely we could all hear it in Ron Barassi’s voice, just as a rare breeze blew into the stand.
MC for the occasion, Eddie McGuire maintained the footy rivalry that has always been part of a day at the MCG, regretting the use of the father-son rule that meant Barassi’s zoning – Collingwood or Carlton – was negated. But it was indeed very special, as Ron Snr had fallen at Tobruk, and Melbourne’s Coterie, along with Legacy, pledged to care of Ron Jnr and his mother, Elza. This ensured the younger Barassi ended up wearing red and blue and 31, just as his father had, and forging a legend that we would all celebrate, commemorate and treasure.
At the heart of the matter was the next Ron Barassi – son of Ronald Dale – who gave us such a generous insight into his cheeky, competitive, tough father. ‘Dad was the chief, the rest of us were a tribe.’ When he barracked for four clubs in four decades, Ron, like his sister and brother, ‘was really barracking for Dad!’ On a poignant note, linking all the generations together, his voice unwavering, Ron also parted with a gem epitomising his father: ‘The air is full of courage, and all you need to do is take a deep breath and move forward.’
So many people spoke of Ronald Dale Barassi – familiar figures themselves, yet somewhat in awe of him – Premier Jacinta Allan, recalling his honours as Melburnian of the Year (2006) and Victorian of the Year (2009), as well as his ‘generosity of spirit’ and his moustache that ‘outlived trends’. AFL CEO, Andrew Dillon, who praised and detailed Barassi’s belief and move towards a national league, working to obliterate the ‘Barassi Line’, dividing V/AFL and non-V/AFL states. John Bertrand, long a family friend, quietly recalled a ‘beautiful man’ alongside the competitive nature. Ricky Ponting, ever grateful to Barassi for coaching his beloved North Melbourne to two premierships, also proclaimed him as one of his ‘all-time sporting heroes’. Brent Crosswell and Sam Kekovich both recalled the competitive figure who coached them both to premierships, mixing awe, fear and affection in varying measure. Both had no doubt, as Kekovich proclaimed, that the phrase ‘fair dinkum’ applied to ‘no one more so than Barassi.’
Moving north to different times and sports, we heard from Swans champion Paul Kelly, ever appreciative of Barassi – a ‘beacon of light and hope’ – who did more than anyone to foster the national competition; a sentiment echoed by John Eales and Richard Colless in their respective roles and links to Barassi, along with biographer, Peter Lalor, who wrote beautifully of his subject that ‘He keeps pushing into time.’ Even as we farewell him, that will always be true.
Sitting down with Leigh Matthews and Kevin Sheedy, Eddie McGuire dragged forth some wonderful memories from the two legends talking about another legend. Matthews coached against Barassi – Collingwood against the Swans, when the Magpies had to win to progress to finals – only to be outsmarted by Barassi in his last game in charge of the red and white. Sheedy, remembering the Melbourne Football Club of the 1950s and early 1960s, echoed the thoughts of many when he said that Barassi was an ‘inspiration as coach – think what he could do to you as a player!’
That, of course, made most listeners laugh, as did Matthews’ memories of a landmark trip to Botswana, when ‘the lions were scared of Barassi!’ Ever ready to take on forces beyond the typical, Sheedy also recalled the moment when Barassi’s bravery was on show, with the then 73 year-old leaping to the defence of a woman being attacked by thugs, his efforts widely hailed and recognised. But ‘if it is to be, it is up to me.’ And so it was.
Throughout proceedings, there was naturally a strong red and blue streak, echoing the ceremonial scarves around the necks of many in attendance. Steven Smith, coached by Barassi, said what so many were thinking: ‘He loved Melbourne, and we all loved him.’ We always will. Smith also channelled the spirit of generations before, expressing the belief that Barassi would have won four Norm Smith Medals if the award had been in existence when he was playing. Ron Barassi – Norm Smith – what a connection that was; truly something to treasure.
Melbourne President Kate Roffey continued the red and blue theme, adding to the story when telling of Barassi’s advocacy for AFLW, as well as his twinkling humour when carrying the 2021 premiership cup off the ground, saying with a grin ‘This one took a while!’ 57 years, Ron, and so much more rewarding for you being around to welcome it home.
Garry Lyon, who knew Barassi as both coach and media colleague, hailed him in so many realms: ‘One of the greatest educators…captured the imagination…one of life’s great teachers.’ More than that, his bravery in defending the attacked was typical of the man, showing the strength of his convictions. Barassi, said Lyon, ‘never hesitated to jump in…the defender of us all.’
With former Premier Steve Bracks issuing a clarion call for the premiership cup to be called the Barassi Cup, the formalities moved back to the musical, following on from the ceremony of the national anthem, and the joy of Mike Brady’s adapted rendition of ‘Up There Cazaly’, honouring Barassi. The crowd fell quiet as Kate Ceberano sang ‘The Rose’, a favourite of both Ron and his wife, Cherryl.
Then, after an hour and a half, it was over. Formalities were finished, spectators shuffled off into the distance, thoughtful, sharing their own Barassi anecdotes, wiping away a tear or two, laughing at a story. Ronald Dale Barassi – 17410, Mr Football (no doubt!), Kokoda trekker at the age of 70, ever curious and ready to be there – will always have that impact on us, even now that he is no longer with us in person. We will think of him, and his family, and remember his time with us.
And, when the game starts for a new season, Barassi will be recalled, as legends always are, no matter if they are still with us in person. He is part of us, red and blue, Demon Spirit, at the heart of the game and beyond. Thank you for everything.
Lynda Carroll spends most of her time in the MCC Library, researching, writing, working on a match day, and cataloguing books.