Vale Ronald Dale Barassi - Rest in Peace

[In Harmes Way 7,104]

I thought the 2006 Comm Games got it right when they had him walk on water across the yarra with the torch at the opening ceremony.

Agree with the calls to name the premiership cup after him. There’s a nice synergy with the Norm Smith medal

[waynewussell 3,735]

When I was a kid, all the big boys at primary school wore number 31. It’s the main reason I’m a Demons supporter to this day. Our hearts broke when he left for Carlton in 1965. Still, he gave us something to cheer about when the Demons were in the doldrums, with his success coaching Carlton, and later North Melbourne. We were over the moon when he eventually returned to MFC in 1981. I was at The Western Oval in round 3 of that year for his first win coaching his old club. Melbourne kicked 6 goals in the final quarter to get up by one point. I think Robbie kicked a goal after the siren. I jumped the fence and made a beeline for the coaches’ box as Melbourne fans invaded the oval. Halfway across I saw Barassi charging through the crowd in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, a little girl crossed his path and the legend tripped. It occurs to me that that little girl succeeded where many fierce opponents had failed; she brought down the great man!

In round 14, later that year, Melbourne played St Kilda at Moorabbin. I used to sneak into the clubrooms whenever the opportunity arose by nonchalantly acting as though I belonged. On that day I found myself in the inner sanctum, hot pie in hand, while the Reserves were playing the curtain-raiser. Hoping to avoid detection, I stood by a whiteboard which listed the team positions for the match. I was surprised to see Robbie named at half-back! I heard a familiar voice behind me, “Excuse me mate, who are you?” It was Ron... “I’m just a supporter”, I offered. “Jesus... Who let this guy in?” Ron yelled in the direction of the doorman. I was swiftly escorted to the exit by a red-faced attendant.

Many years passed before my next face to face encounter with Ronald Dale. He released his Biography in 2010 and I attended the book launch. He was charming and obliging. I mentioned that I had been a follower since those early days at primary school. I also took a few photos.

It was wonderful that Ron was with us to hold the Premiership Cup again after Melbourne’s triumph in 2021. He always added 17410 to his signature; 17 grand finals, four clubs, 10 premierships. For me it now reads 18411. RIP, Ronald Dale.

Edited September 17 by waynewussell

[IRW 1,160]

1 minute ago, waynewussell said:

When I was a kid, all the big boys at primary school wore number 31. It’s the main reason I’m a Demons supporter to this day. Our hearts broke when he left for Carlton in 1965. Still, he gave us something to cheer about when the Demons were in the doldrums, with his success coaching Carlton, and later North Melbourne. We were over the moon when he eventually returned to MFC in 1981. I was at The Western Oval in round 3 of that year for his first win coaching his old club. Melbourne kicked 6 goals in the final quarter to get up by one point. I think Robbie kicked a goal after the siren. I jumped the fence and made a beeline for the coaches’ box as Melbourne fans invaded the oval. Halfway across I saw Barassi charging through the crowd in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, a little girl crossed his path and the legend tripped. It occurs to me that that little girl succeeded where many fierce opponents had failed; she brought down the great man!

In round 14, later that year, Melbourne played St Kilda at Moorabbin. I used to sneak into the clubrooms whenever the opportunity arose by nonchalantly acting as though I belonged. On that day I found myself in the inner sanctum, hot pie in hand, while the Reserves were playing the curtain-raiser. Hoping to avoid detection, I stood by a whiteboard which listed the team positions for the match. I heard a familiar voice behind me, “Excuse me mate, who are you?” It was Ron... “I’m just a supporter”, I offered. “Jesus... Who let this guy in?” Ron yelled in the direction of the doorman. I was swiftly escorted to the exit by a red-faced attendant.

Many years passed before my next face to face encounter with Ronald Dale. He released his Biography in 2010 and I attended the book launch. He was charming and obliging. I mentioned that I had been a follower since those early days at primary school. I also took a few photos.

It was wonderful that Ron was with us to hold the Premiership Cup again after Melbourne’s triumph in 2021. He always added 17410 to his signature; 17 grand finals, four clubs, 10 premierships. For me it now reads 18411. RIP, Ronald Dale.

"If it's to be its up to me"

[Grapeviney 8,493]

Really nice to read everyone's anecdotes and tales of the great man.

The one that sticks in my mind isn't related to football all; it was the night Ron came to the defence of a woman who was being assaulted by a gang of thugs at a restaurant in Fiztroy street.

Already well into his 70's, Ron put himself in harm's way to protect a stranger. 

When he got involved and chased the group away, they ultimately turned on him, punching and kicking him while he lay on the ground. In his own words: "I just hoped I'd survive."

The woman later credited him with saving her life.

"I'd like to thank Mr Barassi for daring to help. He's a very brave man. A good man. There's not many of them around any more."

[Demons3031 358]

Nice tribute to Ron on the Essendon Followers facebook group  https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=808004974666726&set=a.130111685789395.

As a kid, RDB was my hero. Dad used to take us to matches at the MCG where we would sit on the wing in the old Bay 13.  After the '64 Grand Final I wrote to him asking if he had an old jumper I could have. I got a reply with a signed photo saying "Sorry Tim-no jumper. Maybe this will help." A week or two later he signed with Carlton. It must have been a franctic time in his life with that big decision to make yet he still found time to write to me.  Up the top of my bucket list was a wish to have a coffee with him before either of us passed on. I missed out on that but I am sure at the moment he is having a quiet ale with my Dad upstairs.

[2021 129]

R.I.P. Ron, a true legend of the Mfc

[Cheap Seats 3,194]

Vale Ron, may you long be remembered as the champion you are.

[In Harmes Way 7,104]

I imagine the queue of people behind St Peter at the pearly gates would resemble a grand final crowd

[Stiff Arm 4,177]

Cowboy Neale died today.

Another fierce character from another era

[Lucifers Hero 36,706]

Had the pleasure of meeting Barassi at the Bentleigh Club when the 1964 Premiers celebrated the 50th anniversary. 

This photo with him looking hale and hearty, is in my 'special mfc photo frame' (which includes many of the 2021 Cup) 

It was a great day to meet him and so many others of that era. 

 

I also obtained the autographs of the 1964 premiers in the second photo.  A bit of trivia, Barassi had stopped using #31 with his signature.  In the top left corner of this photo you can see 17410 meaning he participated in 17 GF as coach or player and won 10 of them - a record that is unlikely to be bettered.

 

It is very sad that he is gone but he had a wonderful life, impacted so many for the good and has left a legacy that is unlikely to ever be surpassed.

[Green Demon 757]

The reason that me and many Irish people barrack for the Demons is because of Ron Barassi. The "Irish Experiment" brought Jim Stynes (RIP), Sean Wight (RIP), and others, to Melbourne. 

Thanks, RDB.

 

 

[DeeZone 6,507]

What a man, what a legend what a Hero for us kids even up in the country my father loved Checker Hughes, Norm Smith and Ronald Dale Barassi and dad followed him to each club that he coached. I stayed true to MFC but not dad he followed Ron and barracked for the team he coached. RDB will be sadly missed but long remembered for what he did and gave to Australian Rules Football.❤️💙💕💕💕

[Lucifers Hero 36,706]

21 hours ago, Deeoldfart said:

Vale ‘Mr Football’.  A true legend of the game, and a great citizen to boot.  Will never be forgotten.  Deserves a State Funeral.  ❤️💙

And fittingly offered:

"Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the Barassi family will be offered a state funeral to honour the Australian

ron-barassi

[Cassiew 1,864]

I haven’t been in because of my sadness for losing the sf. But after this, it really puts it all in perspective. In the end of a day it’s a football game. We lost our greatest player ever. The only demon as a player in the team of the century.it’s just sad to think that the great Ron is no more. He was a great ambassador for the sport and the Melbourne football club. 
Hard to believe he’s gone. Now only John Beckwith and Max Gawn are the last two living premiership captains.

RIP Ron

😢

[The Chief 604]

Ron was a guest at a corporate function held by my former employer, this was around 2013. My boss knew I was an MFC tragic, so unbeknownst by me they organised for me to sit next to Ron for the dinner. I couldn’t believe it. The 1970 GF was played on a big screen in honour of Ron and I was a bit star struck, so the conversation was a bit stilted. He was pretty focussed on the game, as it was quite evident that his memory of that GF was pretty hazy. I regret that I didn’t make the most of the opportunity in terms of discussing his MFC history. 

[tiers 2,650]

8 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

Had the pleasure of meeting Barassi at the Bentleigh Club when the 1964 Premiers celebrated the 50th anniversary. 

I also obtained the autographs of the 1964 premiers in the second photo. 

Me too for both. But my autograph included "31".
 

Edited September 17 by tiers
Correction.

[tiers 2,650]

We are truly grateful that our great game has been blessed by the life of Ronald Dale Barassi.

His name is synonymous with the greatest game on earth and his memory will live on for as long as and wherever our great game is played.

R.I.P Ron.

 

[BaliDemon 401]

Probably already suggested in this thread but thoughts on a temporary commemorative site banner in honour of the great RDB? Maybe to stay up over the off-season as a tribute? 

[Supreme_Demon 2,951]

There's been a lot of talk in the media about naming the AFL Premiership Cup the Ronald Dale Barassi Premiership Cup.

I support this idea! 😎👍

The great man was involved in 10 (6 as a player and 4 as a coach) Premierships! Pretty amazing!

 

[BaliDemon 401]

1 hour ago, Supreme_Demon said:

There's been a lot of talk in the media about naming the AFL Premiership Cup the Ronald Dale Barassi Premiership Cup.

I support this idea! 😎👍

The great man was involved in 10 (6 as a player and 4 as a coach) Premierships! Pretty amazing!

 

Love the idea.
 

Actually Barrass was involved in no less than 17 Grand Finals as player and coach. He is quite simply the most towering figure in Australian football history. Highly unlikely anyone will ever surpass that figure. He used to write ‘17 4 10’ under his signature post retirement from footy, which of course meant 17 Grand Finals 4 (for) 10 Premierships. 
 

Add up ‘17 4 10’ and what do you get? 
 

#31

Edited September 17 by BaliDemon

[layzie 27,039]

The Ronald Dale Barassi cup is a no brainer to me if they were going to name it. He's the Vince Lombardi and Tom Brady of our sport all rolled into one. 

[Superunknown 3,148]

I work deep in NRL country in Northern NSW.

There are a few Viccos in the building and on my floor - Dees, Saints, Swans and Hawks.

came in to today - still bereft after this weekend - to find this on my door. A nice touch and pepped me up a bit. Twas the Saints fan. He’s quite beat up about the great man leaving us as it turns out.

It’s nice to have these things that bind us all together.

 

Edited September 18 by Superunknown

[layzie 27,039]

I’m happy to see that so many of you got the chance to meet the great man, you’ll cherish those moments forever.

I would have loved the chance to meet him. I was however fortunate to meet Carlton legend Adrian Gallagher on the eve of this season and had a really good chat about the influence that Ron had on his career and life. Gags was not only coached by Barass in successful sides but also in business with him later on at fine establishments like the Cherry Tree, The Mountain View and the Royston.  

The one thing I really took out of my chat with Gags was that while Barass gave a lot of sprays to players, he would a) Always give you a chance to have your say and b) Moved on from it very quickly afterwards. He never held grudges.

Players like Gallagher, Tiger Crosswell, Crackers Keenan seemed to have love-hate relationships with Barass but followed him to his other clubs. It speaks volumes.
 

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,516]

Is Roger Dean still alive?

If so, he should come clean and admit that he staged , and that Ron didn't touch him.

His dishonesty caused  Ron to miss Finals in '63, greatly diminishing our premiership chances.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,118]

2 hours ago, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

Is Roger Dean still alive?

If so, he should come clean and admit that he staged , and that Ron didn't touch him.

His dishonesty caused  Ron to miss Finals in '63, greatly diminishing our premiership chances.

Not sure about Roger Dean being still alive but I heard that Ken Bennett who was a Collingwood player in the 1958 GF has just passed away. I remember him as a small rover type. Quite a coincidence to lose two players from the same match in such a short time.