THERE has been much written about Ron Barassi over many years, and he has always had words of wisdom, humour and inspiration to share with the world.

So, let us share some of those quotes; not only from Ron, but – on the odd occasion – about him, too.

As we could undoubtedly collect hundreds of these (if not more), let us keep it to an appropriate number. Here then, in no particular order, are 31 Barassi quotes for your enjoyment:

1. If it is to be, it is up to me. (Ron Barassi)
2. Ron finished the year as runner-up to John Beckwith as our best and fairest player, and with his youth and enthusiasm, he will undoubtedly go on to greater heights in football. We are very fortunate to have Ronnie associated with our team. (MFC Annual Report, 1957)
3. Barassi was so much Melbourne that we all believed it wasn’t a guernsey he wore, (it was) just the colour of his skin. (Jack Dyer on Barassi’s departure from Melbourne at the end of 1964)
4. Robust Ron Barassi’s fight to the front line of football has been one of the highlights of Melbourne’s climb up the League ladder. (Ben Kerville, Sporting Globe, April 1955)
5. Ron was a born leader. Off the field the club had Smithy. On the field, we had Barass. (Frank ‘Bluey’ Adams in Icons of Australian Sport: Ron Barassi, p. 43)
6. His value on a team is so highly rated that some say any League team would gladly exchange two of their senior men for one Barassi. (Lou Richards, Mobil Football photos, 1964)
7. Be it known that the Melbourne Football Club Coterie is a body whose sole object is the material and social welfare of all players of our Club, who by their actions have shown themselves worthy of our assistance. Your late husband, Ron, comes within this category, and in his unfortunate loss, we now declare ourselves the life-long friends of yourself and your son, Ron, and we advise you that all times we shall regard the material welfare of yourself and Ron our sacred duty. (From MFC Coterie ‘Pledge’ to Elza Barassi, 18 September 1941)
8. From my point of view it’s “do or die”. I’m looking forward to it with eager anticipation. I appreciate your continuing support and hope you are as keen for the contest as I am. (RDB’s Message – 1984, MFC Annual Report, 1984)
9. To: All past, present and future supporters of the Melbourne Football Club, and any other human being interested in community vitality, achieving, rebuilding and the beauty of being involved in a group of committed people in zestful, united action, chasing an elusive dream. (Ron Barassi, Message To All Melbourne Football Club Supporters, 1980)
10. Pound for pound and inch for inch, he’s the greatest. (Jack Dyer, 1966)
11. Ron Barassi was again our Vice-Captain, and an inspiration to all. Ron commenced the season at full forward, but was soon returned to his more well-known position as ruck rover. He was runner-up “Best and Fairest” to Laurie Mithen, and his personality and ability have made him an outstanding figure in Victorian football. His aggressive spirit and determination to succeed is typical of many of our players today. (MFC Annual Report, 1959)
12. More than any other game of football, a Grand Final is a game of fundamentals – of ability, of the mind, and of fitness. (Ron Barassi, recorded by John Powers for The Coach, 1977)
13. They were calling him The Messiah, and that’s exactly what the feeling was at Melbourne when Barassi was appointed coach in 1981. Stand by for the miracles! We’ve got the great coach and everything will just happen. As the football world now knows, it didn’t. But along the way there was a lot to like and a lot to learn. (Robert Flower in Robbie, 1987, p. 82)
14. Soon under notice was Ron Barassi, son of the former Melbourne champion killed in the war. He showed great dash on the back line. (The Herald, March 1953)
15. It had been a mighty effort. They deserved it. And it’s marvellous the feeling success brings. (Ron Barassi in Night of Glory: The 1987 Night Premiers, p. 14)
16. Ron Barassi, the effervescent and irrepressible, was a consistently powerful driving force, creating numerous opportunities. (Football Record, reviewing Melbourne’s second semi final win over Carlton, 1959)
17. It is fair to say the 11 other coaches are more conscious of Barassi than any other opponent. Like every other coach, I have learned from Barassi’s methods and tactics. (Tom Hafey, 1980)
18. Ron had the courage to believe that it could work, even though a lot of people thought he was crazy, out of his mind and destined to fail. (Jim Stynes on the ‘Irish Experiment’)
19. I’ve never regarded myself as a footballer – I’m just a fellow with a very absorbing hobby. Football is, after all, only a part-time occupation. (Ron Barassi, This Week on Channel 7, August 1968)
20. He shaped the code. He was the definitive and first genuine ruck-rover. As a coach he redefined the way the game was played in the 1970s. He was its first nationalist. (Peter Lalor, Barassi: The Biography, p. 381)
21. For all his achievements, his focus was always on the broader picture and others, not himself. (Sam Kekovich, remembering Ron Barassi)
22. A noted big-game performer, Barassi’s finest hour was in the 1959 Melbourne grand final win over Essendon, when he was almost unanimously nominated as the best player on the ground. (Jim Main, When It Matters Most, p. 158)
23. I have no doubt that any sport which has seduced the masses has evolutionary patterns. Sport imitates life and our national winter pastime is no exception. (Ron Barassi, foreword to Lionel Frost, Immortals)
24. Two of the most improved players in the team were Ron Barassi and Geoff. Case, both products of our successful Third Eighteen, they were appointed to the list in 1953….We are very fortunate to have such youth allied with such a high degree of skill in football. (MFC Annual Report, 1954)
25. Ron Barassi, as a partner with Denis Cordner in a ruck that became famous as a ruckman-rover combination, succeeded because of his great strength, football brain and courage. (MFC Annual Report, 1955)
26. Third Best and Fairest in the club, and winner of the trophy which carries his father’s name, is Ron Barassi, a player of outstanding spirit and ability. This year, Ron won an Australian blazer for his outstanding play in the A.N.F.C. Carnival at Perth, which was a true reward for the brilliance he displayed. (MFC Annual Report, 1956)
27. Go Dees. Keep your cool. Give ‘em HELL! (Ron Barassi before the 2021 Grand Final)
28. Possessions! That’s the answer to everything. You give me possessions, and I’ll shut up! (Ron Barassi, Melbourne coach, to Gerard Healy)
29. AFL champion Ron Barassi has joined sporting greats of the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Dawn Fraser as a legend in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. (abc.net.au, 11 October 2006)
30. You little beauty! (Ron Barassi, on first meeting Melbourne’s 2021 premiership cup)
31. Every time I think of my father, I think of my mother and how she cried. Lest We Forget. (Ron Barassi, Anzac Eve 2019, MFC video)