Career Highlights

• Ron Barassi has been one of the most influential people in Australian Rules football, stretching over a 50 year career as player and coach.
• Melbourne Football Club lobbied the VFL to implement a father-son rule so that Ron could follow his father’s footsteps as a player.
• Melbourne’s coach, Norm Smith, took Ron under his wing. When Ron’s mother moved to Tasmania, he moved in with Norm at the young age of 16; an invaluable opportunity Ron credits as a direct influence on his development as a player and person.
• Melbourne dominated the 1950’s and Ron became an essential part of the club’s most successful period. He paved the way for the new style ruck-rover, showing speed, ferocity and will to attack the ball without fear.
• Ron was made vice-captain in 1957, becoming captain in 1960. Ron was integral to Melbourne’s six premierships. He was voted Best and Fairest in 1961 and 1964.
• Ron joined Carlton after newly appointed president George Harris offered him a lucrative contract to become captain-coach, which he accepted in 1965;
• While the decision to join Carlton was a difficult one, it was vindicated by Ron’s success as coach. In 1968, Ron guided Carlton to its first premiership in 21 years.
• Carlton’s classic Premiership win against Collingwood followed in 1970 – a miraculous comeback from 44 points down at half time.
• In 1973, Ron took the helm at North Melbourne, culminating in the 1975 Premiership; a mere three years after North were wooden spooners.
• The dramatic drawn Grand Final in 1977 was another classic, where Ron roused the Roos to triumph over Collingwood.
• In 1981 Ron returned to Melbourne, the place where he made his name, and alongside assistant coach Ray Jordon laid the foundation for finals appearances soon after his departure.
• In 1993, Ron returned to senior coaching with the Sydney Swans, putting the Swans on the map in a territory that had been a foreign land for Australian Football.