Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Ronald James Barassi Snr

Known as
Ron Barassi

Born
24 October 1913

Place of birth
Guildford, VIC (3451)

Died
31 July 1941 (aged 27)

Place of death
Libya (Tobruk)

Occupation
Motor driver

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 22y 233d
Last game: 26y 340d

Height and weight
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 72 kg

Senior clubs
Melbourne

Jumper numbers
Melbourne: 31

State of origin
VIC

Family links
Ron Barassi Jnr (Son)

Ron Barassi

Advanced stats
Club
League
Career span
Games
Goals
Avg
Win %
AKI
AHB
AMK
BV
MelbourneV/AFL1936-194058841.4578%14.82—2.206
Total1936-194058841.4578%14.82—2.206

Pre 1965 stats are for selected matches only

AFL: 4,393rd player to appear, 3,942nd most games played, 1,306th most goals kickedMelbourne: 551st player to appear, 289th most games played, 95th most goals kicked

Prominently displayed in the Melbourne dressing room before the commencement of the grand final was a framed document, which must be unique in the history of any sporting club in Australia. The document, which is to be sent to the widow of the late Ron Barassi, the popular Melbourne rover, who was killed in action while fighting with the A.I.F. at Tobruk, bears the signatures of all the members of the committee, some of whom are serving with the fighting forces abroad. The signatories pledge, themselves to look after the material welfare of the player’s widow and son, Ron.¹

One of three fine rovers at Melbourne vying with each other for just two places in the team, Ron Barassi had, for the most part, to be satisfied with third place in the pecking order behind Percy Beames and Alby Rodda. As a result, many of his 58 senior appearances (for 84 goals) between 1936 and 1940 were as nineteenth man, including his last game, the 1940 grand final victory over Richmond. Energetic and courageous, Barassi presumably transferred these qualities to his military career, which ended with his being killed in action at Tobruk on 31st July 1941.

-----

Service Number: VX45220
Rank: Corporal
Unit: 7 Division Supply Column AASC
Service: Australian Army
Conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945
Date of death: 31 July 1941
Place of death: Libya
Cause of death: Died of wounds
Cemetery or memorial details: Tobruk War Cemetery, Tobruk, Libya
Source: AWM147 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, 2nd AIF (Australian Imperial Force) and CMF (Citizen Military Force)

Author - John Devaney

Footnotes

1. “The Age”, 29/9/41, page 7.

Sources

Crème de la Crème, https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1705745/

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Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.