Ronald Dale Barassi, AM, 254 games played for Melbourne and Carlton in the VFL, then another 515 as coach. Those stats, impressive as they are, do not capture the regard in which Barassi is held in Melbourne. He gained a new legion of Sydney admirers when he coached the Sydney Swans for three seasons starting in 1993.
Which explains why the impending auction of Barassi's collection of memorabilia is seen as a special event. The sale will be held by Leonard Joel in Melbourne on September 4.
A photo of Ron Barassi taken from a scrapbook compiled by his mother Elza. The scrapbook features original black and white photos of Barassi's life in the '50s and '60s. Estimate: $1000-$2000.
Noted for his determination as a player and blood-curdling sprays as a coach, it appears Barassi is a bit of a sentimental bloke in private life. In his retirement he became an avid collector of the sport's tradition, even buying back some of his own memorabilia.
One example is a collection of Mobil swap cards from the mid-'60s, including some signed by him at the time. He bought these recently at an auction. They're listed with estimates of $400 to $500. A near complete set, unsigned, sold for $245 in 2013 through Leski Auctions.
Ron Barassi's famous No. 31 Melbourne jumper from the 1964 season, in match-worn condition. Estimate: $20,000 to $40,000.
The card showing him wearing his Melbourne jumper in 1964 captures perhaps his finest year. He led the Demons to the premiership that year, largely through the power of his personality.
Another card from the 1965 season shows him wearing the (shock, horror) Carlton jumper. His transfer to that club had him branded a traitor, among other insults. At the time footballers were supposed to be rusted to their clubs for life. In many ways Barassi was the prototype of the modern footballer.
He turned 80 this year and decided that it was the right time to pass on the collection to others who would treasure it.
There are about 500 lots in the sale – much of it in storage. But the single item that resonates is his famous No. 31 Melbourne jumper from the 1964 season. It's in match-worn condition, complete with the old style plastic numbers, now cracked with age. Today it has the same appeal as a religious relic.
Ron Barassi's 1964 VFL premiership medal. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000.
Leonard Joel estimates, probably conservative, are $20,000 to $40,000. This is worth comparing to the $17,500 paid for Ted Whitten's No. 3 Fitzroy jumper in 2008. There are another 20 or so jumpers for sale.
Also included are Barassi's premiership medals, estimated about $10,000 to $20,000 each. Perhaps the most impressive is the medal awarded posthumously to his father, Ron Barassi snr, who also played for Melbourne before the war. He was killed in action at Tobruk in 1941. The watch he wore in service is also included, as is an early scrapbook kept by his mother Elza.
An original WEG cartoon of Ron Barassi, signed 'WEG `82'. Estimate: $1200-$1800.
The Ron Barassi Collection of VFL/AFL memorabilia is for sale on September 4 through Leonard Joel in Melbourne. A Sydney viewing of selected items is at its Sydney offices in Queen Street, Woollahra, on August 27 and 28. Catalogue is online.