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RON BARASSI

Two days before Christmas, 1964, the Carlton Football Club created a furore by announcing that it had signed Melbourne legend and six-time Premiership player Ron Barassi as captain-coach of the Blues for five years. The news rocked football to its foundations; Barassi was to Melbourne what Lennon was to McCartney - or what sunshine was to summer. It was absolutely unthinkable that he would agree to play football for anyone else but the Demons. Barassi was born to play for Melbourne. His father had represented the Red & Blue in 58 games - including the 1940 flag side - before he was tragically killed in action in World War II. When Ron's mother remarried and moved to Tasmania, he stayed in Melbourne to further his promising football career and boarded at the home of Melbourne's great coach Norm Smith. Under Smith's guidance, Barassi became a champion. At 178 cm and 83 kg Ron was a solid type, not particularly blessed with an abundance of pure football talent. But he was tough, relentless and an inspirational leader who hated to lose any sort of contest. In Melbourne's golden era of 1953 to 1964, Ron played in no fewer than eight Grand Finals, winning six Premierships - two as captain. Wearing the same number 31 guernsey as his father, he was the games' outstanding ruck-rover, and its most recognisable figure.

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