Celebrity Featured: Ron Barassi
Artist: Val Landa
Chair Donor: diywoman
Fabric Donor: Warwick Fabrics
Upholstery Donor: Jims Upholstery
About Ron Barassi
The name Ron Barassi is synonymous with AFL greatness. Born in 1936, he rose to prominence in 1955 when he helped Melbourne to the first of three consecutive premierships until 1957. He also won the club's Best and Fairest award in '57, and then again in '58 and '59. He captained the team for three additional premierships, in '59, '60 and '64.
In 1965, Barassi stunned the football world by defecting to Carlton. As Captain/Coach, Barassi took Carlton to two premierships, the first in 1968 and the second in 1970. The latter was a particularly amazing feat given the team being 44 points down at half time. It was the introduction of a radically new style of play based on keeping possession using the handpass that gave them the edge.
After switching to coaching North Melbourne in 1973, 1975 and 1977 saw Barassi help the team to Premierships, before returning to his original club, Melbourne, in 1981. He stayed at Melbourne for 4 years, and then helped save the Sydney Swans from extinction in 1993.
As player and coach, Barassi has made an outstanding contribution to the game of AFL football. Since his retirement from the game professionally, he remains a prominent Australian Rules Football celebrity. He recently celebrated his 70th birthday, and was one of the last runners in the Queen's Baton Relay for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.