A salute to an Australian Icon - Ronald Dale Barassi

[Bonkers 918]

The story of Ron Barassi is extraordinary really. To become one of the games greatest players after being raised partially by his future coach following his dad passing away in the war is something you just wouldn't dream of. Norm & Ron went on to share 6 flags together, that's something that won't ever happen again. Times were changing when Ron left for Carlton & Ron probably did what he thought was best for himself as well as Norm at the time when he left. In hindsight Melbournes era of dominance would have ended even if Ron stayed. The money in the game shifted to other clubs and the MCC / MFC fell behind. I think Ron in a way is a visionary of the game & he probably thinks the game overall is bigger than the MFC. It is a shame that after the club gave Ron so much in his early life that he didn't stay his whole career with us but that's life. He's done a lot for the game & is a true legend.

[beelzebub 22,373]

Melbourne became a mess. The red Fox knew it.. RDB sussed it..things changed

 

Sliding doors idea?  had not the committee [censored] up !!   who knows.  Smith and Barras are not to blame here

[Atholwebb 110]

Ronald Dale was a wonderful, courageous and inspirational footballer. He invented ruck roving. He never gave up and he gave his absolute all in every game he played for the MFC. We haven't had anyone with the determination and endeavour that Barass had. For you young fellas disparaging his legacy, you have no idea what you are talking about as RDB is an icon of the MFC and one of the greatest characters to ever play Aussie Rules. 

[Ricky P 757]

He only left cos he wanted to coach. 

Can't believe people not understanding his contribution to Melbourne. 

[Whispering_Jack 28,094]

I have on many occasions in the past commented about Ronald Dale Barassi and am convinced that it's virtually impossible to convey to those who were never privileged to have seen him play, the influence he had on our sport. He is our game's Don Bradman, Mohammed Ali and Joe DiMaggio all rolled into one - the Steph Curry of our current  times if you like. 

He represented strength, courage, determination and the indomitable belief that as long as he was with us, we would always prevail. I don't agree with the comment that Melbourne's era of dominance would have ended even had he stayed. He was that influential a person and that farsighted in his approach that he would have seen to it that the club moved into the modern money era rather than to languish and pride itself as an amateur old school relic which it remained for the next decade or two after he left.

 

We never caught up to the others because we constantly sought our next messiah, someone in his image without recognising that there can never be another Ronald Dale Barassi. In his era, there were two others who stood strong and tall at other clubs - the late Ted Whitten and the great Murray Weideman (who incidentally was in attendance last night). You can't reproduce men of that calibre and you can't reproduce them today because the times have changed (and will continue to do so).

 

Barass will forever be etched in my mind - the iconic picture of a raging bull crashing through packs, taking strong marks and kicking the miracle match saving goals from 60 yards out (that's how we measured distances then).

 

For those younger Demon fans who still don't get it, imagine waking up on a Saturday morning like today and knowing that your team just can not be beaten no matter who they're playing. He raised us up.

 

That's how it felt when you had Ron Barassi on your side.

 

The two singers who performed last night, sang this song at the request of the Barassi family. Here's a version from Josh Groban that might help people understand what Ron meant to thousands of impressionable youngsters like me -

 

 

[Dr. Gonzo 22,637]

5 hours ago, Ricky P said:

He only left cos he wanted to coach. 

Can't believe people not understanding his contribution to Melbourne. 

Correct and he would've stayed to coach Melbourne with Smiths blessing but he didn't want to seem as though he was forcing the Red Fox out before his time.

[Dr. Gonzo 22,637]

11 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I have on many occasions in the past commented about Ronald Dale Barassi and am convinced that it's virtually impossible to convey to those who were never privileged to have seen him play, the influence he had on our sport. He is our game's Don Bradman, Mohammed Ali and Joe DiMaggio all rolled into one - the Steph Curry of our current  times if you like. 

Being born in 1982 I never got to see him play but I always imagined Michael Voss to be the closest approximation to RDB. Is there any other modern player you might compare him to?

[deesrule 104]

25 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Being born in 1982 I never got to see him play but I always imagined Michael Voss to be the closest approximation to RDB. Is there any other modern player you might compare him to?

Voss probably played like Barassi but the back story with Norm Smith bringing him up after his dad died and his own coaching record set him apart . Jack Viney has many of his traits willing the team over the line but a long way to go to be thought of in the same way.

Barassi is a legend Mathews probably the closest to him 

[bush demon 1,915]

13 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

It must be said at the advice of his greatest mentor and our(the games) greatest Icon Norm.  Think we also underestimate the foundations he laid in the 80's for what followed under Swooper

It is the secrecy around this 'advice' and career move of Barassi's which galls so many old time melbourne supporters. footballers supporters on the other hand are unlikely to make a private pacts at half-time to start supporting the other side for the rest of the game. As Martin Flanagan says, we are all just chasing laundry.

[Deeoldfart 7,822]

13 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Agree. Don't understand it either.

At least the club has given him the flick of presenting jumpers to first round draft picks or any other stupid romance act.. Eg Jack Grimes jumper change..

Heresy.

[daisycutter 28,700]

another thing. barras was largely credited as being the player who redefined the role of the ruck rover. previously the "ruck rover" was more like a  ruckman than a  rover, Of course now we just talk of a ruckman and midfielders which includes the followers and the whole centre line, but then it was much different. he really did change the game leading into the "modern" era. if anyone lived through the 50's and 60's they would know just how huge his influence and fame was

[Elwood 3184 1,268]

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Being born in 1982 I never got to see him play but I always imagined Michael Voss to be the closest approximation to RDB. Is there any other modern player you might compare him to?

As WJ wrote, blokes like RDB won't come again ... but we have a combination of youngsters like Jack Viney, Jesse Hogan, Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw and, ahem ... Christian Petracca who together might revive that spirit at this club. 

[dazzledavey36 49,394]

The story of him chasing down that thug is pretty Courageous for someone his age

Must have been one hell of a tough bastard back in his hey day!

Can someone please also upload the North Melbourne spray Get an absolute laugh out of that.

[Bonkers 918]

1 hour ago, Whispering_Jack said:

He represented strength, courage, determination and the indomitable belief that as long as he was with us, we would always prevail. I don't agree with the comment that Melbourne's era of dominance would have ended even had he stayed. He was that influential a person and that farsighted in his approach that he would have seen to it that the club moved into the modern money era rather than to languish and pride itself as an amateur old school relic which it remained for the next decade or two after he left.

 

 

I may be wrong, but as I understand it part of the reason Norm Smith had a falling out with those in charge at the club is that he was asking for change. If a 6 time premiership coach can not bring about change from those he is working for I don't know if anyone could have. That is part of the so called curse IMO that a lot of people talk of, that the MFC were not willing to listen to a club great & willing to sack an immortal of the game, someone who was irreplaceable. Something at the club in that time IMO had become septic.

The MCC had the advantage of the MCG being the home of football & as I understand it during our era of dominance we were also paying players more than other clubs were willing to or able to. During the time of 1961 - 1964 we won one flag, the MFC's dominance was waning. Whilst Ron is a man of incredible influence & a person many would have or would follow I don't know if he would have been capable of bringing the people who were running the club along with him. It's all hypothetical but from my perspective (which admittedly is a limited one as I wasn't there & I don't know any of the people in charge of the club at the time) the people in charge of the club were set in their ways & I don't think anything was going to change that. One of the biggest reasons that successes become failures is that they fail to or refuse to adapt to change.

It is interesting to learn from those who have other opinions or who know more from being there or involved in it. It would be great to hear what Ron does believe & think about all of this.

[doc roet 1,232]

Every child who followed Melbourne in those times had No 31 on there jumper, me included.

He even had a segment in a footy show on tv at the time where  he showed kids how to hold the ball for different types of kicks.

Captain Courageous he was known as.

[Redleg 38,092]

9 hours ago, Ricky P said:

He only left cos he wanted to coach. 

Can't believe people not understanding his contribution to Melbourne. 

Which is still continuing, with his voluntary work for the club.

Edited May 14, 2016 by Redleg

[beelzebub 22,373]

3 hours ago, doc roet said:

Every child who followed Melbourne in those times had No 31 on there jumper, me included.

He even had a segment in a footy show on tv at the time where  he showed kids how to hold the ball for different types of kicks.

Captain Courageous he was known as.

Funny , I had 8

But I know many many had 31

[Red and Bluebeard 2,049]

18 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Agree. Don't understand it either.

At least the club has given him the flick of presenting jumpers to first round draft picks or any other stupid romance act.. Eg Jack Grimes jumper change..

Imagine that at the end of last season it has been Luke Hodge who left Hawthorn to coach Carlton rather than Brendan Bolton. Then in the next 5 or so years Carlton start winning premierships as Hawthorn wane. Would Hawthorn followers still have a lot of respect for Hodge? As others have said, Barassi is a unique person, and played in a different time, when there were lots of differences to today's players, but something like that scenario will give you some idea. Also don't forget that as things were going to hell for us in the late 60's and 70's, Barassi at Carlton and then North was one of the few tangible reminders of our successful times. 

[Dockett 32 1,213]

Evening great, unfortunately the showing of his football highlights ( courtesy of Channel 7) although good, didn't really to the man justice. Whispering describes him as a raging bull  and I reckon that is about right. Never seen the likes of his strength , toughness or courage since.

 

[special robert 438]

Imagine Michael Voss and Luke Hodge wrapped into one. 

[DemonDave 1,078]

Fantastic function last night, some great speeches by Barry Bourke, Steven Smith, Richard Colless, Sam Kekovich and Tim Lane a good host.
Was a pleasure to be able to mingle with some of the greats of the 64 Flag, as well as the Very Reverend Neale Daniher, 90s players and a host of other luminaries.

[Whispering_Jack 28,094]

4 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Funny , I had 8

But I know many many had 31

Bob "Tassie" Johnson who wore #8 for over 200 games in that era passed away recently. He suffered ill health in his later life due to diabetes and he had to have a leg amputated. The MFC Past Players & Officials managed to help him get out of his one bedroom apartment into a place where he could comfortably have a bath. They have now formed the Ron Barassi Club to assist past players who suffer health and/or financial difficulties. I will put some details up on the site if anyone wants to donate.

It was sad hearing about Tassie's problems because like Barass, he always looked so big, strong and healthy as a player and as Barry Bourke pointed out every club that has 45 men on its list at any given time is going to have someone in need. 

[doc roet 1,232]

4 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Funny , I had 8

But I know many many had 31

Thanks Beelzebub,I was only 10 or 11 when all this was going on.

For the life of me I can't remember who was 8.Can you enlighten me please.

I remember -Roet 18,crompton 5,dixon 9,hassa 29,emselle 10,lord 4,vagg 32,kenneally22,davis 40.

Massey was 32 I think,who was friggen 8?

[doc roet 1,232]

Whoops,now I know .

RIP Tassie.

[Emerald 1,737]

Barassi vs Zantuck is a classic.