http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-02-25/at-80-the-life-and-times-of-ron-barassi

What a wonderfully full life!  Full of challenges, setbacks and highspots. 

I had forgotten many of the things listed. Still in awe that he trekked the the Kokoda Track when he was 70!  There aren't enough superlatives to describe him.  I'll try a few:

Legend

Champion

Inspirational

Reilient

Hero

Wouldn't it be great to win another premiership in Ron's lifetime! 

An absolute legend.  Back in primary school in the early 90's a friend and I sent a cardboard "Ron Barassi Medal" (which Bob Davis jocularly suggested should be struck) into the channel 7 footy panel, he was nice enough to ring up and have a chat to me!  I love the old "hot gospelling" video's too... 

It would indeed be great if he could hold on for another flag...

Now begs the question that I've always wanted to post here...if by some chance we played off for a flag within the next decade...the AFL seems to have a recent tradition that an ex-club legend hand the cup over to the winning coach/captain...who would be your nomination for the Demons?

It would be Robbie for me if it wasn't for his tragic passing... who else?  David Neitz? A living member from the 1964 team? Garry Lyon?

 

When I worked in a bottle shop in St Kilda in early 2006 in came Ron Barassi. He was looking for a good bottle of plonk. He was humble, polite, a nice human being.When I told him I'd been a Demon supporter since 1958 he became very friendly. He talked up Melbourne's chances for the coming season. As he left the shop he turned around, gave a big smile, and said, Go Demons!

( I met David Neitz at the same shop. He was just as friendly and just as talkative. We share a kraut ancestry. Great player.)

 

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-02-25/at-80-the-life-and-times-of-ron-barassi

What a wonderfully full life!  Full of challenges, setbacks and highspots. 

I had forgotten many of the things listed. Still in awe that he trekked the the Kokoda Track when he was 70!  There aren't enough superlatives to describe him.  I'll try a few:

Legend

Champion

Inspirational

Reilient

Hero

Wouldn't it be great to win another premiership in Ron's lifetime! 

Agree Lucifer, also RESPECT.  

He has the respect of the whole community. Is there anyone who has the level of respect that RDB has?

. 

many and many more happy returns to you Ron  

I heard him on 3AW this morning.

His voice is getting a bit gravely but still had his humour.

He said his memory is now poor and has been since the famous hit in St Kilda.

Working on getting to 100 at present.

So he may yet see the next GF win by the Dees.

A truly great man, and a great player.  Lucky enough to watch him through the late 50s and early 60 with #31 on my MFC jumper.

And post football he has been an enormous contributor to many causes especially veterans' welfare.

Probably the person for whom I have the most respect.

Edited February 25, 20169 yr by monoccular

 

1 hour ago, BillyBeane said:

An absolute legend.  Back in primary school in the early 90's a friend and I sent a cardboard "Ron Barassi Medal" (which Bob Davis jocularly suggested should be struck) into the channel 7 footy panel, he was nice enough to ring up and have a chat to me!  I love the old "hot gospelling" video's too... 

It would indeed be great if he could hold on for another flag...

Now begs the question that I've always wanted to post here...if by some chance we played off for a flag within the next decade...the AFL seems to have a recent tradition that an ex-club legend hand the cup over to the winning coach/captain...who would be your nomination for the Demons?

It would be Robbie for me if it wasn't for his tragic passing... who else?  David Neitz? A living member from the 1964 team? Garry Lyon?

 

I was lucky enough to see most of the 1964 team at their 50 year anniversary reunion at the Bentleigh Club luncheoon.  One of my faves was Hassa Mann.  A delightful, friendly bloke and 3 flags, 3 Blueys, 3 times Captain, 2 times AA.

So if not Barassi I would choose Hassa 

Edited February 25, 20169 yr by Lucifer's Hero

With each new MFC-related milestone I ponder if maybe THIS will be the thing that breaks the curse. So far I have been bitterly disappointed at every turn. I've got a good feeling about this one though! Happy B'day RDB!

4 hours ago, dieter said:

When I worked in a bottle shop in St Kilda in early 2006 in came Ron Barassi. He was looking for a good bottle of plonk. He was humble, polite, a nice human being.When I told him I'd been a Demon supporter since 1958 he became very friendly. He talked up Melbourne's chances for the coming season. As he left the shop he turned around, gave a big smile, and said, Go Demons!

( I met David Neitz at the same shop. He was just as friendly and just as talkative. We share a kraut ancestry. Great player.)

 

was it on Barkly St,  near the corner of Inkerman St?

St-Kilda Wine & Spirit ?  I heard 'Neita'  goes there on occasion, as well as some others.

4 hours ago, beelzebub said:

many and many more happy returns to you Ron  

yes Indeed.....

 

Happy 80th  RDB...31

Ron 6 Flags for us

says it all

I hate Carlton and i am not too fond of Nought

but because you are RDB

I am prepared to let that slide. 

My Avatar is you at about 20....

RDB.......ReD Blue.

1 hour ago, dee-luded said:

was it on Barkly St,  near the corner of Inkerman St?

St-Kilda Wine & Spirit ?  I heard 'Neita'  goes there on occasion, as well as some others.

No, Acland Street, round the corner from Claypots.

1 hour ago, beelzebub said:

RDB.......ReD Blue.

ReDarkBlue  ReDemonBlue

 

RealDemonBlood

On 25 February 2016 at 5:23 PM, Grapeviney said:

 

I sell wine for a guy who was on North's list in Barassi's time. Many funny stories, most of them involving Crackers Keenan. He does point out that Barassi wouldn't get a gig as a coach these days because players wouldn't tolerate that ad hominem abuse.

(My favourite Crackers story involves a Melbourne game against Richmond

The umpire was about to bounce the ball to commence the second half. Instead of facing Crackers, McKellar was standing alongside him.

Crackers said, "What! Is the mighty Craig McKellar afraid to face Crackers Keenan at a center bounce all of a sudden?"

Greg Wells tapped Crackers on the shoulder and said, "We're kicking the other way this quarter, mate.")

90 points down and he sent out the runner with the inspirational message 'don't get done by a hundred points!'.  Relayed to me by a Demons player at Waverly.

Possibly one of the more amusing Barassi quotes : "Don't get too carried away with your ability because it came out of the eye of your old mans ..." (19:39)

https://youtu.be/jJoRQyyJsgk?t=19m30s

 

A nice interview : http://www.3aw.com.au/news/neil-mitchells-special-interview-with-ron-barassi-ahead-of-his-80th-birthday-20160224-gn349b.html

80, Not Out!  What a true legend of the game (and, more importantly) of the Mighty MFC...)!!!

Happy Birthday, RDB!!

(Here's hoping the boys begin their journey today of making you VERY proud!)

Wishing a happy birthday to the greatest Demon player I've ever had the good fortune to witness gracing the footy field. Every player stood tall having a teammate like Barass - no coincidence that after his debut season, we made the finals for 11 consecutive years and won six flags.

One of football's most iconic images

 

Well, that was a nice Birthday gift to the great man.  A nice win to the Mighty Dees!