Vale Ron Barassi

[KTigers]

I think his first year (93) we only won one game (it snapped the 26 game losing streak). Then in 94 we won 4. But the real turning
point was 95 when we brought in Plugger, Roos and Stuey Maxfield and won 8 games. I'm not sure of his tactical skills as a coach
back then but he gave the club crediibility due this stature with the game. And I think because of him the players started to
believe in themselves and so the likes of Kelly, Dunkley, Cresswell, Bayes, Lewis lifted to career best form. It was a unique combination
and in a way laid the groundwork for where we are today. I don't know for sure, but he always seemed like a decent guy too.

[KTigers]

I think his first year (93) we only won one game (it snapped the 26 game losing streak). Then in 94 we won 4. But the real turning
point was 95 when we brought in Plugger, Roos and Stuey Maxfield and won 8 games. I'm not sure of his tactical skills as a coach
back then but he gave the club crediibility due this stature with the game. And I think because of him the players started to
believe in themselves and so the likes of Kelly, Dunkley, Cresswell, Bayes, Lewis lifted to career best form. It was a unique combination
and in a way laid the groundwork for where we are today. I don't know for sure, but he always seemed like a decent guy too.

[KSAS]

Well described KT. Barassi did come to the rescue of a woman who was being bashed up in St Kilda in 2009. She said Barassi (72yo) saved her life. Barassi got hit in the head for his troubles which affected his memory ever since. He was awarded a Bravery medal.

[KTigers]

It was an interesting time when he came in. It was almost like we were starting again as a club after the weirdness of the Edelsten
period then the dark times of very early 90s. There were changes at the board / admin / organisational level as well at the time.
We got serious about being a successful footy club. I think too the eventual success of Barassi at the Swans was also the playbook
for the AFL to install Kevin Sheedy as the inaugural coach at GWS even though it was almost 20 years later.

[royboy42]

One of the (few) advantages of being over 80 is having the memories of seeing great players in their prime live. Not on grainy , old , black and white film , but right in front of your eyes, as it happened.Barass was awesome, in the literal sense of the word.I don't remember anyone who could turn a game off his own boot, as often and seemingly as effortlessly as he did.The Demons played in so many finals in the fifties that I saw a lot of him, much more than the couple of times he routinely tore the 'Roys apart each season.He'd rest in the back pocket as ruckmen did then...no interchanges.Melbourne would get in a bit of trouble; he'd come onto the ball, restore order in blistering 15/20 minutes bursts, then back to the pocket.And the team that Roos took to the flag in '05 was created from Barassi's nucleus.R.I.P Ron.

[Blood Fever]

Thanks RB. Didn't get to see him in his prime. Perhaps his greatest feat was coaching North to their first ever flag with some help from the short lived '10 year' rule.

[Mountain Man]

I was working at the Sydney Showgrounds, which was where the Swans were then located and trained. There was a substantial canteen there for staff, tenants and exhibitors. Barassi seemed quite old and stooped and was quite unknown to the fellow diners.

I lunched with him a couple of times, and he was indeed a gentleman.

[Bloods05]

One of the (few) advantages of being over 80 is having the memories of seeing great players in their prime live. Not on grainy , old , black and white film , but right in front of your eyes, as it happened.Barass was awesome, in the literal sense of the word.I don't remember anyone who could turn a game off his own boot, as often and seemingly as effortlessly as he did.The Demons played in so many finals in the fifties that I saw a lot of him, much more than the couple of times he routinely tore the 'Roys apart each season.He'd rest in the back pocket as ruckmen did then...no interchanges.Melbourne would get in a bit of trouble; he'd come onto the ball, restore order in blistering 15/20 minutes bursts, then back to the pocket.And the team that Roos took to the flag in '05 was created from Barassi's nucleus.R.I.P Ron.

He had a dynamism about him that he retained long after his playing days.

[Roadrunner]

He had a dynamism about him that he retained long after his playing days.

An amazing player and coach. He had an office furniture business in Melbourne and one day when I walked in he was playing chess with one of his staff. Can’t recall who won!
R.I.P. Ron- a true Legend.

[Nico]

An amazing player and coach. He had an office furniture business in Melbourne and one day when I walked in he was playing chess with one of his staff. Can’t recall who won!
R.I.P. Ron- a true Legend.

From memory the office furniture business got torched.

[lwjoyner]

what a great peice on the swans wbsite about RDB worth reading.

[Roadrunner]

From memory the office furniture business got torched.

Not sure what happened Nico but it closed not much later!

[KTigers]

Not sure what happened Nico but it closed not much later!

I suspect the failure rate for businesses started by ex-footballers is even higher than the normal failure rate,
and that's saying something. Someone needs to tell them being good at football only means one thing.
They are good at football.

[Roadrunner]

I suspect the failure rate for businesses started by ex-footballers is even higher than the normal failure rate,
and that's saying something. Someone needs to tell them being good at football only means one thing.
They are good at football.

Exactly. Of course, they were not full professionals back then and the money wasn’t what it is today. Some went on to own pubs and so traded on their identity and renown which was fair enough. A footballer’s career is not very long on average but I would have loved to play at that level if I had the ability!????

Ronald Dale was unbelievable and helped us during a very difficult period. Thank you Ron!

[stevoswan]

Renaming premiership cup one of several options discussed to remember Barassi's legacy

I know the Hun in Melbourne can be a very annoying paper (it's basically Murdoch trash) but on Monday (I think) it had a great full page article on Barrasi saving the Swans in their hour of need and the influence he had on the club.....complete with a great photo of him in full Swans playing kit taken before his final coaching session with the team. A great read.

PS: I support the the renaming of the Premiership Cup, The Barrasi Cup.....or even a stand at the MCG to be named in his honour.