MATT Burgan looks back on the life and times of arguably the game’s greatest name, and one of the most recognised Australians, Ron Barassi, who celebrates his 80^th birthday on February 27 …

RON BARASSI: 80 years

1936 – Ronald Dale Barassi Jnr is born to parents Ron Snr and Elza Barassi on February 27 in Castlemaine, Victoria. His family soon relocates to Brunswick. His father, Ron Barassi Snr, makes his VFL debut for Melbourne against Collingwood in round seven at Victoria Park, wearing the No.31 jumper. He plays four matches and plays with the likes of Melbourne greats Allan La Fontaine, Jack Mueller and Norm Smith. In just his fourth VFL match, Barassi Snr plays in Melbourne’s win over Carlton in the first semi-final at the MCG. He also wins the ‘special clubman’ award.

1937 – Barassi Snr plays 14 matches, which ends up being the equal most games he plays in a season, along with 1940.

1938 – After adding another 13 appearances, Barassi Snr wins Melbourne ‘most unselfish player’ award.

1939 – Barassi Snr kicks a career-best five goals against Footscray in round eight at the MCG, as he adds 13 matches for the year.

1940 – In what ultimately proves to be his final VFL season, Barassi Snr plays in Melbourne’s premiership against Richmond at the MCG. It is the club’s fourth flag, after 1900, 1926 and 1939. Melbourne wins by 39 points and it is the second of a hat-trick of premierships from 1939-41. Barassi Snr then leaves the country via ship on October 18 to serve in North Africa. He finishes with 58 VFL matches and 84 goals for Melbourne. Barassi Jnr and his mother Elza move in with her brother Alan Ray and his family in Footscray.

1941 – Barassi Snr is tragically killed serving in Tobruk, Libya, aged 27, on July 31. Following his death, a group of Melbourne players and officials pledge to support Barassi Snr’s widow Elza and Ron Jnr. They are determined to see that Ron Jnr has the opportunity to play for Melbourne, rather than Collingwood or Carlton, where he is zoned. Barassi Jnr moves to Guildford in country Victoria to live with his grandfather Carlo Giuseppe Barassi and Aunty May on their farm. He also transfers from North Footscray Primary School to Guildford Primary School. Much of his formative years are spent at Shicer Gully Road, Guildford.

1942 – With his mother remaining in Melbourne to earn money, Barassi spends much of his spare time, in his first full year at Guildford, kicking a football and emulating his father.

1943 – Now in grade three, Barassi’s personality becomes evident. He has strong opinions and speaks his mind, and receives the strap on several occasions for answering back and challenging teachers. Even from an early age, his school mates marvel at his hand and eye coordination, particularly when playing marbles.

1944 – Barassi’s strong-willed ways continue in grade four. Some of the school stories include him cutting a strap in half and throwing it down a cellar. On another occasion, he cuts up a strap into little pieces.

1945 – On August 15, Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley announces on a radio broadcast at 9.30am that World War II is over. With towns across Australia in jubilation, school finishes early at Guildford Primary School. However, for Barassi, it’s a solemn moment, as he laments the loss of his father.

1946 – Barassi completes grade six and finishes primary school at Guildford. He turns 10 years old.

1947 – He starts at Castlemaine Technical School in form one (year seven).

1948 – Barassi leaves Guildford and returns to the city, moving to Preston. He starts at Preston Technical School in form two (year eight).

1949 – Barassi moves from Preston to Moreland Rd, Brunswick. He finishes first in the Preston Technical School cross country run, which takes place on August 26. It’s a well-deserved reward for the training he puts in. Barassi also represents the school football team and is successful in school track events and for his house, Boronia. He regularly plays football at school and is covered in mud after lunch time kicks. Barassi’s daredevil nature is evident from an early age, when he is a regular at the Coburg Lake and Brunswick Baths. Each has a high tower and he dives from the top of it, which is not for the faint-hearted.

1950 – Although one of the youngest in form four (year 10), Barassi is nominated a school prefect, after a number of the staff recognise his leadership. He continues to impress in track events. Barassi then finishes at Preston Technical School.

1951 – He captains the Preston Scouts under 16s in the Preston District Junior Football Association. Barassi starts training with the Melbourne ‘thirds’ as a 15-year-old. Barassi starts at Footscray Senior Technical School.

1952 – Melbourne recruits Barassi from Preston Scouts. He makes his debut for the ‘thirds’ under coach Roy McKay, who becomes a key mentor and a great influence on Barassi. McKay is later regarded as one of the best development coaches of the 1950s and 1960s. Barassi has his last year at Footscray Senior Technical School. His ambition is to become an engineer.

1953 – He moves in with legendary Melbourne coach Norm Smith and his wife Marj, after Barassi’s mother moves to Hobart with her new husband. On March 15, Barassi becomes eligible to play for Melbourne via the father/son rule, which is established by the VFL in 1949. He becomes the second player selected via the father/son rule, behind Carlton’s Harvey Dunn in 1951. On February 23, he receives a letter from Melbourne inviting him to training. He makes his VFL debut for Melbourne against Footscray in round four at the MCG, wearing the famous No.31. Barassi is ‘flattened’ by Bulldog great Charlie Sutton. He plays six VFL matches – and starts three of them on the bench – and 12 games in the reserves. Along with Barassi, the likes of Frank Adams, Geoff Case, Terry Gleeson, Peter Marquis, Ken Melville and Don Williams make their VFL debut in 1953. At the end of the season, and in the summer of 1953/54, names such as Brian Dixon, Bob Johnson, Clyde Laidlaw, Laurie Mithen and Ian Ridley join Melbourne to help start and form the nucleus of its golden era. Barassi’s first job is as a cadet at Miller’s Rope Works in Brunswick. It’s a stronghold of the Melbourne Football Club, with Frank ‘Pop’ Vine the managing director. Norm Smith had also worked there and his brother Len Smith – regarded as one of the great VFL coaching tacticians of all-time – works there with Barassi. He enrolls in night school at RMIT, where he studies until 1957.

1954 – Norm Smith plays Barassi as a second ruckman, yet he approaches it more like a rover. Barassi effectively reinvents a position and the term ‘ruck rover’ enters football vernacular. Runner Hugh McPherson also plays a part in suggesting the role for Barassi. The position becomes permanent in the game. Barassi plays in his first VFL Grand Final, which Melbourne loses to Footscray by 51 points. It remains Footscray’s only premiership to date. Barassi is among Melbourne’s best.

1955 – Plays in his first premiership for Melbourne, after it defeats Collingwood by 28 points. Barassi is one of Melbourne’s best. The match becomes famous for the clash between Collingwood’s Des Healey and Melbourne’s Frank ‘Bluey’ Adams, which sees both players stretchered off. It forces Healey into premature retirement.

1956 – Plays in back-to-back premierships for Melbourne. In front of a crowd of 115,802, which remains the sixth highest attendance for a VFL/AFL match, Barassi is again one of Melbourne’s best, as it easily defeats Collingwood by 73 points. He kicks three goals. The 1956 Melbourne team – to this day – is regarded as one of the greatest in VFL/AFL history. Barassi also represents Victoria in the National Football Carnival Championship and is named All-Australian for the first time.

1957 – On 4 March 1957, Barassi marries Nancy Kellett, who he meets at work four years earlier. They settle in Heathmont in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Barassi is appointed Melbourne vice-captain to skipper John Beckwith. He then plays in Melbourne’s third successive premiership. Barassi has a brilliant game, kicking five goals and is widely regarded as best-on-ground. Melbourne defeats Essendon by 61 points in an emphatic victory. The image of Barassi breaking a tackle in the Grand Final becomes one of football’s most iconic images.

1958 – Barassi is part of Melbourne’s quest for a fourth consecutive premiership, but Collingwood upsets its plans with an 18-point win. This comes after Melbourne easily accounts for Collingwood in the second semi-final by 45 points. Barassi kicks two goals in the Grand Final and leads Melbourne’s goalkicking for the season, along with Athol Webb. They kick 44 goals each. Barassi represents Victoria in the National Football Carnival Championship and gains All-Australian selection.

1959 – Plays in his fourth premiership for Melbourne. Barassi stars yet again and is widely regarded as best-on-ground with four goals, as the red and blue defeats Essendon by 37 points. He tops Melbourne’s goalkicking for the second successive year with 46 goals and again plays for Victoria.

1960 – Barassi’s first child Susan is born on July 29. He is appointed Melbourne captain, leading Melbourne to its fifth premiership in six years, after it easily defeats Collingwood by 48 points. It also marks the end of seven straight grand finals by Melbourne. Barassi plays for Victoria and at the end of the season, he briefly takes up professional sprinting.  

1961 – Wins his first club best and fairest – the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy. Barassi captains Victoria and is named All-Australian for the third time. He is also named skipper of the All-Australian team. He is among Melbourne’s best in its finals series, before exiting in the preliminary final. Barassi's makes his first of many overseas trips.

1962 – Barassi’s second child Ron is born on June 23. Melbourne makes the finals, but it falls to Carlton by two points in the first semi-final. He represents Victoria and receives Melbourne life membership. Barassi helps save a man named Tom Gavrilos from a car accident, after it bursts into flames, due to a leaking petrol tank. He helps Gavrilos from the front seat of an FJ Holden, which was hit by another car.

1963 – Barassi kicks six goals against North Melbourne in round nine at the MCG – his best haul in a VFL match. He misses the 1963 finals series after being reported and suspended. Barassi also represents Victoria for the 18^th and final time. He plays for Melbourne against Geelong in the first official Australian Rules match held in the United States. It’s played at the Hickam Air Force Field in Honolulu, overlooking Pearl Harbour.

1964 – A huge year for Barassi. His third child Richard is born on February 13, as he leads Melbourne to its 12th premiership. It ends up being Barassi’s 204^th and last VFL match in the red and blue. Melbourne defeats Collingwood by four points in an epic Grand Final, after back-pocket Neil ‘Froggy’ Crompton follows his opponent up the field, takes possession of the loose ball and slots through his only goal of the season – and his first since 1960 – in the dying stages. The flag ends a phenomenal era by Melbourne, which includes six premierships from 1955-64. Or looking at it from a bigger picture – when you combine Barassi Snr and Barassi Jnr’s premierships – the father and son combination play in seven of Melbourne’s 10 premierships from 1939-64. Barassi also makes his VFL coaching debut in round eight, when he fills in for Norm Smith, who is on duty with the Victorian team in Adelaide. Barassi leads Melbourne to a 51-point win over Fitzroy at Brunswick St Oval. He also wins his second Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy. In November, Barassi is part of a VFL team, which takes on Slavia-Port Melbourne in a soccer match. The VFL team is soundly beaten. On Thursday night, December 22, Barassi shocks the football fraternity when he accepts a lucrative deal from Carlton president George Harris and joins the Blues as captain/coach on a full-time basis. It proves to be one of the biggest football stories of all-time – certainly from the perspective of a player switching clubs.

1965 – On February 16, Melbourne officially clears Barassi to Carlton. He makes his VFL debut for Carlton against Hawthorn in round one at Glenferrie Oval. He plays 11 games for the season, but the Blues miss out on the finals. Melbourne and Carlton start playing for the R.D. Barassi Trophy.

1966 – Barassi plays in the opening eight rounds of the season, before a shoulder injury ends his year. The legendary Jack Dyer describes Barassi as arguably the best player the game has seen. He says: “Despite the greatness of John Coleman, the fluency and cunning of [Ted] Whitten, the sheer brilliance and courage of [Bob] Skilton, I nominate Barassi as the greatest player since the war. Pound for pound and inch for inch, he’s the greatest. He’s the best player since the late [Ivor] Warne-Smith and he might be even better. Barassi’s stamina will go on beyond exhaustion; he has the ability to roll with any bump and above all has incredible accuracy in kicking for goal. He has the knack of getting the psychological goal for his side. Only [Dick] Reynolds and Harry Collier had this quality to the same degree. Few people realise that Barassi is a glorious kick. He’s one of the best the game has produced. He is the team man to end all team men.”

1967 – Continues as captain/coach and returns to play 20 matches and lead Carlton to the finals. He is among the Blues’ best in the finals, before they are knocked out in the preliminary final by Geelong. Barassi plays in the Australian Football World Tour – the first of its kind and what transforms into the International Rules Series as we know it today. The team, organised by football sports broadcaster Harry Beitzel, is known as ‘The Galahs’. In the fifth match, Barassi has his nose broken by New York narcotics detective Brendan Tumulty, who breaks his thumb in the process. They later become friends.

1968 – Barassi, who again starts the season as captain/coach, retires as a player after round 19, having played 49 games with Carlton. He remains coach and guides Carlton to its first flag in 21 years. It is the first of four premierships as a coach for Barassi. The Blues defeat Essendon by three points. He is then playing coach for the ‘Galahs’ against Ireland.  

1969 – Makes a surprise comeback and plays one more VFL game for Carlton against Melbourne in round seven at Princes Park. He plays the match to reach 50 games for Carlton, ensuring his sons are eligible to play for Melbourne or Carlton. Barassi tears his hamstring in the third quarter and he coaches from the boundary line. The Blues win by 30 points and he retires with 254 VFL games. Barassi guides Carlton to the Grand Final, but the result is a different one to the previous year. Richmond wins the flag by 25 points under Tom Hafey. Barassi also coaches Victoria.

1970 – Coaches Carlton to a remarkable premiership over Collingwood – and a match still regarded as one of the greatest in VFL/AFL history. After trailing by 44 points at half-time, the Blues produce a stunning comeback to win by 10 points. Barassi implores his players to handball and play on at all costs. The tactic is regarded as the birth of modern football. His astute positional moves include bringing Ted Hopkins onto the ground, after he was 19^th man. Hopkins kicks four goals and is instrumental in the victory. The match is also famous for Alex Jesaulenko’s ‘speccie’, which commentator Mike Williamson calls: “Wooooaaahhh, Jes-au-lenko, you beauty.”

1971 – The Blues miss the top four, finishing fifth. At the end of the season, Barassi resigns as coach to focus on business. He again coaches Victoria. Barassi is named a life member of Carlton.

1972 – Despite not having played since 1969, the 36-year-old Barassi signs on to play with Port Melbourne in the VFA. He plays four matches before he retires due to a hamstring injury.

1973 – Barassi returns to coaching and takes over at North Melbourne. He joins after the club claimed just one win and the wooden spoon in 1972. Barassi guides North Melbourne to 11 wins and one draw. The Roos finish sixth on the ladder, just missing the final five.

1974 – In just his second year at North Melbourne, Barassi coaches the club to its first Grand Final since 1950. It’s also just the second time North Melbourne makes the Grand Final. The Kangaroos lose to Richmond by 41 points.  

1975 – Barassi coaches North Melbourne to its first VFL premiership. The Kangaroos win easily, defeating Hawthorn by 55 points. Barassi masterminds the win, with some star-studded players, including Malcolm Blight, Barry Cable, Barry Davis, John Rantall and Doug Wade. It’s a remarkable turnaround by North Melbourne, given it was on the bottom of the ladder three years earlier. Barassi separates from his wife Nancy.

1976 – Barassi is involved in a car accident, along with St Kilda player and 1958 Brownlow Medal winner Neil Roberts. Due to life-threatening injuries – Barassi loses his spleen – he is forced to use a motorised buggy and wheelchair. Although he misses one match as coach – Ray Jordon coaches North Melbourne in round 21, 1976 – Barassi remarkably returns to guide the Kangaroos to their third consecutive Grand Final. Only this time Hawthorn turns the tables and wins by 30 points. Hawthorn’s premiership is commonly known as ‘Crimmo’s Cup’ in honour of its captain Peter Crimmins, who sadly passes away three days after the Grand Final, due to cancer. Demand for Barassi as a corporate motivational speaker takes off.

1977 – Barassi coaches North Melbourne to its second premiership, after it plays an epic drawn Grand Final against Collingwood. The Roos edge their way back in front after trailing by 27 points. But when Magpie Ross ‘Twiggy’ Dunne marks and kicks a goal to level the scores, the match is drawn. North Melbourne returns the following week to win by 27 points. Author John Powers spends a season with Barassi and later releases the brilliant book titled ‘The Coach: A Season with Ron Barassi’. Barassi signs an agreement that allows Melbourne to have the first option for his coaching services at the end of the 1980 season. He again coaches Victoria. Barassi purchases his home in St Kilda, where he still resides today. 

1978 – For the fifth consecutive season, Barassi coaches North Melbourne to the Grand Final. The Roos fall 17 points short to Hawthorn. North’s Phil Baker takes two screamers in the match. Barassi is awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of service to the sport of Australian Rules football. Barassi again coaches Victoria. The ‘Barassi Line’ is termed by Professor Ian Turner, who suggests an imaginary line, which divides Australian Football to the rugby codes. The line runs from the Northern Territory/Queensland border, south to Birdsville, then southern New South Wales, north of the Riverina, through Canberra and onto the Pacific Ocean at Cape Howe on the border of NSW and Victoria.

1979 – North Melbourne falls short of making its sixth successive Grand Final, when Barassi’s team is defeated by Collingwood in the preliminary final by 27 points. He becomes a life member of the VFL/AFL. Barassi purchases the Mountain View Hotel, which is located on 70 Bridge Rd, Richmond.

1980 – Barassi guides North Melbourne to its seventh consecutive finals series, but it is knocked out by Collingwood in the elimination final. The Roos lose by eight points. Barassi steps down as North Melbourne coach. He also receives North Melbourne life membership. Barassi exercises his right to join Melbourne as coach, rejecting substantial bids from Collingwood, Carlton and Essendon. For the record, the Bombers subsequently name Kevin Sheedy as coach. Before his return to Melbourne, Barassi takes out a newspaper advertisement asking the red and blue faithful for their support. He receives an overwhelming endorsement from the Melbourne fans. He is well aware of the massive job at hand, as Melbourne’s last finals appearance was when he led the club to its most recent premiership in 1964. In September, Barassi is invited to give pre-race motivation talks to John Bertrand’s America’s Cup crew in Rhode Island, USA. Sadly, Barassi’s mother Elza passes away.

1981 – Barassi marries Cherryl Copeland, as he coaches Melbourne in the first of five seasons. He endures a tough first year back at his original club and uses 46 players. It’s a fascinating squad, given the likes of Robert Flower, Gerard Healy and Laurie Fowler combine with characters such as Mark Jackson, Peter ‘Crackers’ Keenan and Brent Crosswell. The club wins the wooden spoon, after just one win from 22 rounds, which remains Melbourne’s second worst season in VFL/AFL history. Melbourne’s only victory is against Footscray at the Western Oval in round three – by one point. Barassi’s first season in charge is highlighted by some grueling training. The club introduces the Ron Barassi Jnr Trophy for the most improved. It runs from 1987-2007.  

1982 – Melbourne shows genuine improvement, winning eight games to finish eighth on the ladder. A long-time advocate of the national game, Barassi coaches Melbourne against the Swans in round one at the SCG – the first year of South Melbourne’s shift to Sydney. Brian Wilson, in his first year at Melbourne, after playing with Footscray and North Melbourne, wins the Brownlow Medal under Barassi. At the end of the season, Barassi heads to the United States in an attempt to recruit players to the game. It’s a step towards the ‘Irish Experiment’.

1983 – Two of the biggest names in football join Melbourne and play under Barassi: Brownlow Medal winning duo Peter Moore and Kelvin Templeton. Barassi’s team finishes with nine wins – one more than 1982 – but claims eighth spot for the second year in a row. In September, Barassi is again invited to give pre-race motivation talks to John Bertrand’s America’s Cup crew in Rhode Island, USA. Bertrand skippers Australia II to one of Australian sports most famous and memorable victories. It is also the first time in 132 years that the New York Yacht Club is defeated. Barassi’s book ‘Ron Barassi Football Clinic’ is released.

1984 – Melbourne shows genuine promise under Barassi, winning eight of 10 matches, from rounds six to 15. When Melbourne defeats Hawthorn at Princes Park in round 13 – its first win over the Hawks in 22 matches, and since 1973 – it is the red and blue’s sixth straight win. It’s also the first time since 1965 that Melbourne wins at least six games in a row. After round 13, Melbourne is fourth on the ladder and inside the top five. In round 14, Shane Zantuck clashes with Barassi at three quarter-time during its match against Essendon at Waverley Park. The two soon patch up their differences. But a disappointing end to the season sees just one more win in the final seven rounds. Melbourne finishes with nine wins for the second year in succession. Peter Moore wins his second Brownlow Medal – his first for Melbourne and under Barassi – and Robert Flower finishes third. Although speculation mounts that Barassi will head to Sydney to coach the Swans, he stays for the 1985 season. Barassi, chairman of selectors Barry Richardson and general manager Dick Seddon are among the key people to bring Jim Stynes and another Irish youngster James Fahey to Australia. Stynes arrives in Australia on November 7 and ultimately becomes one of Australian Football’s greatest stories. Barassi visits his father’s grave at Tobruk for the first time.

1985 – Barassi coaches his final season with Melbourne. He announces it before Melbourne’s round 16 clash against Carlton at Waverley Park. Melbourne wins six games for the season and finishes 11^th. At the time, it appears to be Barassi’s last year of coaching in the VFL, before he makes a stunning comeback with the Sydney Swans in 1993. On October 8, dual Richmond premiership player and former Sydney Swans coach John Northey is appointed Melbourne coach.

1986 – For the first time since 1972, Barassi doesn’t coach a VFL team. He reaches a personal milestone, turning 50 years old. He turns his attention to innovative business ideas, inventions and new technology as possible venture capital/investments for former Carlton president George Harris. 

1987 – Barassi enters the Sport Australia Hall of Fame as an athlete member for his contribution to the sport of AFL. He becomes a selector for Victoria in State-of-Origin. Melbourne ends a 23-year drought and makes the finals for the first time since 1964.

1988 – Melbourne reaches its first Grand Final since 1964. Although it loses by a then record 96 points to Hawthorn, Barassi is credited for helping lay Melbourne’s foundation.

1989 – He continues his involvement as a selector for the ‘Big V’, which includes the famous State-of-Origin match between Victoria and South Australia at the MCG. In front of a crowd of 91,960, Victoria thrashes South Australia by 86 points. The line-up features two of the greatest players and full-forwards of all-time playing for Victoria: Tony Lockett and Jason Dunstall. 

1990 – Barassi writes the introduction to Philip Hodgins’ 1990 poetry collection ‘A Kick of the Footy’.

1991 – His part in recruiting players from Ireland, back in the early 1980s, proves a masterstroke, when Irishman Jim Stynes wins the 1991 Brownlow Medal. Barassi is part of the AFL rules committee.

1992 – The Ron Barassi Room is opened in the newly renovated Great Southern Stand at the MCG. He is a Victorian selector for the last time in State-of-Origin football.

1993 – Barassi is part of a new-look AFL laws of the game panel of review sub-committee. He then makes a stunning comeback to coaching, after answering an SOS to coach the Sydney Swans. After Gary Buckenara is sacked by the Swans, three matches into the season, he is replaced by caretaker coach Brett Scott, who guides Sydney for two rounds, before Barassi takes over. His first match as coach of the Swans is against Carlton in round seven at the SCG. The Blues win by 44 points. Still, the loss is far better than some of the massive losses earlier in the season. Sydney wins one match for the season, defeating Melbourne by 40 points in round 13 at the SCG. Richard Osborne kicks 10 goals for the Swans in that match.

1994 – Barassi’s first full season as Sydney Swans coach produces four wins – their best result since 1991 – but they still finish with the wooden spoon. He coaches Sydney to a famous victory over Melbourne at the MCG, after it trails by 28 points. Dermott Brereton kicks two goals in his first game for the Swans. At that stage of the season, Melbourne is second on the ladder and the Swans are second last. Barassi also becomes an ambassador for the republic movement and is named Senior Citizen of the Year.

1995 – With two of the game’s greatest players – Tony Lockett and Paul Roos – joining the Swans, Barassi guides Sydney to its best season since 1989. The Swans win eight matches, including the final round of the season over Collingwood at the SCG. Barassi coaches his last VFL/AFL match at age 59 and hands the Sydney coaching baton on. Rodney Eade joins the club as coach after guiding North Melbourne’s reserves to the 1995 premiership.

1996 – Barassi is selected in the VFL/AFL Team of the Century. He is also named in the inaugural Australian Football Hall of Fame and is one of 12 initial legends to be inducted. With Barassi building the blocks as coach of the Swans, Rodney Eade sees it through with Sydney making its first Grand Final since relocating to the harbour city. It’s also South Melbourne/Sydney Swans’ first Grand Final since 1945. 

1997 – He becomes a board member of the Sydney Swans.

1998 – Barassi is part of a charity delegation to Kiev, Ukraine, bringing gifts to victims of the Chernobyl disaster, which occurred on April 26, 1986.

1999 – The Ron Barassi Medal for the best Australian player in the under-17 International Rules series is introduced. Joel Corey, who later becomes a three-time premiership player with Geelong, wins the first award. Players such as Luke Hodge and Joel Selwood later win it. Irishman Pearce Hanley also receives it in later years. He travels to the Philippines, where he attends a function in Manila on Grand Final day.

2000 – Barassi is named ruck-rover and captain of Melbourne’s team of the century. Artist Lewis Miller wins the 2000 Sporting Archibald for his portrait of Barassi. It is acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Barassi wins the Australian Sports Medal on October 24.

2001 – He is named in the inaugural Melbourne Football Club Hall of Fame. Barassi sells the Mountain View Hotel.

2002 – Barassi becomes a director of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. He also travels to Laos.

2003 – On February 15, Barassi is honoured with a tribute dinner, as he celebrates half a century in the game. The night is titled ‘Ron’s 50 years in Australian Rules football’. Barassi is named an official legend of the Melbourne Football Club. He is also a recipient of the Centenary Medal. Barassi becomes immortalized by the way of a bronze statue outside the MCG for his sporting achievements. He is also part of the advisory board to the AFL Foundation. Barassi steps down as a board member of the Sydney Swans.

2004 – The 1956 team of the Melbourne Football Club is inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and receives the ‘Team Sport Australia’ award. Barassi is a star of that side, particularly in its Grand Final win over Collingwood. He visits New Zealand for the Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament, which is previously named the Jim Stynes Cup. Barassi attends the tournament in Christchurch to encourage players. It’s the first junior international Australian Rules tournament played outside of Australia. The event is officially endorsed by the AFL as part of its international policy.

2005 – Barassi has a break from football for the first time in 51 years – either as a player, captain, coach, director or media commentator. Barassi joins premier Steve Bracks and an AFL delegation to Gallipoli for the 90^th anniversary of Anzac Day. He also travels to the United Kingdom, watching The Ashes, Wimbledon and the Highland Games, and to France for the Tour de France.

2006 – For his 70^th birthday, Barassi treks the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. He also visits Egypt, France, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. On March 15, he is one of the last runners in the Queen’s Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne. He is handed the baton by Melbourne captain David Neitz. At one point, Barassi ‘walks on water’ when he takes the baton across a series of pontoons slightly submerged on the Yarra River. Barassi also takes a tandem parachute jump. He is elevated to a ‘Legend of Australian Sport’. Barassi is named Melburnian of the Year and Healthy Ageing Citizen of the Year.

2007 – On May 31, Barassi is named coach of the Italian Team of the Century. He travels to the United States of America and completes ‘Route 66’. Barassi also visits Cuba, Mexico and Spain, and is an ambassador, along with former Melbourne player and Australian cricketer Max Walker, for the Melbourne Football Club’s trip to China.

2008 – On February 28, Barassi launches his book ‘Icons of Australian Sport, Ron Barassi: chronicling his football career using his scrapbooks and memorabilia’, which is edited by renowned sports journalist and writer Glenn McFarlane. Barassi is named one of Melbourne Football Club’s 150 Heroes. The first of the Ron Barassi Jnr Award – for leadership – is won by Brad Green. Barassi takes part in a nine-day, 450km bike ride in Mongolia. He also visits Israel, Japan and South Korea. Barassi becomes an ambassador for the AFL ‘Peace Team’ comprising of Palestinians and Israelis in the Australian Football International Cup (AFL International Cup).

2009 – On New Year's Eve 2008/09, Barassi is assaulted after going to the aid of a young woman in St Kilda. He had been dining with friends when he sees a woman punched to the ground around 12.30 am. Barassi is later named Victorian of the Year. He becomes Melbourne Football Club’s No.1 ticket holder and also receives the Knight of The Order of St Thomas of Acre (KStT).

2010 – He launches his book ‘Barassi: the biography’ by highly-respected journalist and writer Peter Lalor. Barassi is again Melbourne’s No.1 ticket holder and receives the AFL coaching legend award by the AFL Coaches Association. Barassi cycles for charity with Peter ‘Crackers’ Keenan, who he coached at North Melbourne and Melbourne. Barassi attends the FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the Melbourne Football Club’s club trip to China. He also white water rafts the Snowy River.

2011 – Barassi launches ‘Wisdom: life lessons from an Australian legend’. It’s also his last season as Melbourne’s No.1 ticket holder.

2012 – On January 23, Barassi suffers a bike accident, cracking three ribs. On September 18, the MFC Ron Barassi Bequest Society is launched. Barassi crews under good mate John Bertrand, competing in Hamilton Island Yacht Racing Week. Barassi receives a Bravery Award. Playwright Tee O'Neill adapts Barassi's life into a theatrical performance. Australia Post makes a Ron Barassi stamp as part of its Australian Legends series. Barassi steps down as a director of Sport Australia Hall of Fame, after 10 years.

2013 – On March 25, Barassi receives a commendation for brave conduct.

2014 – Following a public vote, Barassi’s father Ron Barassi Snr is honoured by his name being used for a new recreational park and space in north-west Docklands. The park is located at the Bolte Bridge end of Docklands Drive.

2015 – Barassi collaborates with singer-songwriter Tex Perkins on the song ‘One Minute’s Silence’ – a tribute to the diggers who died at Gallipoli to mark the 100^th anniversary. On October 10, Barassi helps launch the Ron Barassi Snr Park in Docklands.

2016 – The Melbourne Football Club Past Players Association launches ‘The Ron Barassi Club’ in the lead-up to his milestone birthday. Former players in financial crisis or struggling with mental health will be a priority in the fundraising initiative. On February 27, Barassi reaches a significant achievement, when he turns 80 years old. Today, he lives a happy life, going to the gym twice a week and playing table tennis once or twice a week. He also plays nine holes of golf once a week, followed by lunch, with some of his Melbourne premiership teammates. He remains arguably the game’s greatest name and is one of Australia’s most revered figures.