Australian football legend Ron Barassi has passed away at the age of 87. Barassi is widely considered to be one of the greatest players and coaches in the history of the game. He was a member of the Melbourne Football Club’s premiership sides in 1955, 1956, 1957, and 1959, and he captained the club to its 1964 premiership. He also coached Carlton to two premierships in 1968 and 1970, and North Melbourne to a premiership in 1975.
Barassi was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1982, and he was awarded the Order of Australia in 2005 for his services to Australian football.
Barassi was born in Melbourne in 1935, and he began playing Australian football for Melbourne Football Club in 1953. He quickly established himself as one of the best players in the game, and he was a key member of the club’s premiership sides in the mid-1950s.
Barassi retired from playing in 1964, and he began his coaching career with Carlton Football Club in 1965. He led the club to premierships in 1968 and 1970, before moving to North Melbourne Football Club in 1973. He coached the Kangaroos to a premiership in 1975, and he retired from coaching in 1980.
Barassi was a controversial figure during his playing and coaching career, but he is widely recognized as one of the greatest players and coaches in the history of Australian football. He was a brilliant player, a master tactician, and a charismatic leader.
Barassi’s death is a great loss to the Australian football community. He was a true legend of the game, and he will be deeply missed.