Ron Barassi, AFL great, Funeral Who died Recently RIP

In a statement released on Saturday, Ron Barassi's family acknowledged the news of his passing as an AFL legend.

Ronald Dale Barassi, 87, "left us today due to complications from a fall after a full and extraordinary life," his family stated.

Peacefully, with his family at his side, he passed away. Please respect our request for privacy.Barassi was a legend in the sport of football, both on the pitch and off.

After playing professionally for several years, he retired in 1979 and became the first living player to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

Over the course of his career, Barassi played over 200 games and won six premierships with Melbourne. He went on to coach four teams to championships, including two with Carlton and two with North Melbourne. He is equal with fellow Melbourne great Norm Smith in having played in 10 premiership games.

Ron Barassi Jr. aspired to play at Melbourne, the institution where his father had made history as the first ruck rover. After six championships with Melbourne, Barassi moved to Carlton, where he captained the team for 50 games before deciding to focus solely on coaching.Barassi's vision for the game was even more important than his on-field records, according to AFL chair Richard Goyder, who called him the most important person in Australian football in the last 70 years.

"A champion of Victoria who relished the battles against SA, WA, and Tasmania at state level, Barassi saw the potential ahead if the game could unlock interest in New South Wales and Queensland and constantly pushed the game's administrators to dream big, plan bigger, and be prepared to risk dramatic steps into the unknown," Goyder said in a statement.

"He revolutionised the game as a player—creating the position of ruck rover—built premiership success at clubs as a coach—and then was our first great evangelist to take the game north and grow it into what we have today," said Goyder.Gillon McLachlan, the outgoing chief executive of the AFL, praised Barassi as a strong, combative, and determined advocate for the game.McLachlan said, "Every time in recent years we would see him at the MCG watching a match, our game was better for his presence, and we have lost a hero of our sport."After Barassi's death, Melbourne Football Club CEO Gary Pert said, "his legacy will forever be etched in the history of the game," expressing sympathies to the family.

Ron's passing has been felt throughout the football world, but his legacy will endure thanks to the sport he loved so much.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese proclaimed that Barassi was "a legend in every sense of the word" and that there was no more well-known name in sports.

"A fearless player and leader, a visionary coach, and a tireless champion for the growth and success of Australian rules football," Albanese said on Twitter/X.

As long as football is played, people will remember Ron and his accomplishments. Peace be with him.

Barassi passed away just after the AFL grand final between his two favourite clubs, Melbourne and Carlton, which the Blues won in straight sets for the second year in a row.

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[robyngully]

Rest In Peace 🙏❤️‍🩹You are my best player Ron Barassi .Will be missed God Bless You always.🙏