AFL legend Barry Round’s partner shares heartbreaking tribute

A month after the passing of AFL great Barry Round, partner Jenni Lumb has shared a heartbreaking tribute to the man she hoped to marry.

Former Brownlow Medallist Barry Round enjoying the beach at Miami. Picture Glenn Hampson

“He was the most beautiful soul you would ever meet.”

A month after the passing of AFL great Barry Round, this is how long term partner Jenni Lumb said she would remember him.

Lumb was hoping to be wed on their 10th anniversary.

It was to be a romantic affair, swept away to the beautiful Port Douglas where they would elope and embark on an overseas adventure.

But Round passed just six months short of it.

Barry Round and his partner Jenni Lumb. Image: Supplied

The Brownlow Medallist and champion player for Footscray and South Melbourne died in palliative care on December 24 last year, after unexpected complications arose following several minor procedures.

Lumb revealed Round, who had undergone heart surgery several years ago, had actually died on the table during that surgery but was able to be saved by doctors.

He recovered, but 18 months ago was rushed to the Bundaberg Hospital while on holiday, undergoing another procedure doctors weren’t sure he’d live through – but he did.

One week before his death Round underwent another small procedure, an angiogram, which he walked away from “fine” – until three days later when things began to unravel.

READ ONE OF ROUND’S FINAL INTERVIEWS

“He hadn’t been brilliant but he was not supposed to have passed away either,” Lumb said.

“He didn’t have a real illness as such, it was just one thing on top of the other.

“There was no heart attack, no cancer, he was just unwell and his body shut down.

“It’s horrible to watch someone that you love deteriorating.

“It was very hard trying to keep him positive toward the end.”

At 52, Lumb hoped to have decades longer with her life partner.

“It’s a very horrible thing to be told that you have a week left with someone you love.

“You live in a dream or a bubble that it’s not going to happen, but when it’s taken out of your hands and you’re told something very different, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions.”

A LOVE STORY FOR THE AGES

Round and Lumb met in 2013 on the Gold Coast, where Lumb had lived since 2003 after growing up in Melbourne as a devout Bulldogs supporter.

Round had also relocated to the Gold Coast in 2008, where his children were already living.

“We met the old fashion way,” she remembered.

“First we met on the beach. I was running and we’d had a big storm and went around a rock and cut my legs.

“He was coming the other way and saw my legs and instantly checked on me.

“We laughed and then that afternoon I went to the local pub and he was sitting there and said ‘I recognise that smile’.

“We became mates and were friends for about 12 months before we started going out.

“We’d meet up for lunch one or twice a week, and every Saturday we’d have a beer and a bet at the pub, before we realised we were spending more time together than apart.

“He was my best mate.”

South Melbourne Footballer and 1981 Brownlow Medal winner Barry Round.

Before Round passed, Lumb said she had hoped to head north to Port Douglas to be married before heading away to the Greek Islands on a holiday.

“It wasn’t going to be a wedding, we were just going to run away and elope. We didn’t need to make plans.

“He said let’s make the most of what we have left, cause if we don’t do it now we don’t when know we’ll do it.”

The 438 game AFL/VFL player, including 135 for Footscray, 193 for Sydney and 110 for Williamstown, was a giant of the game but a soft man at heart.

“He was very quick witted, an extremely funny man,” Lumb said.

“He does not have a bad bone in his body, he’ll try and find good out of everybody.

“He was a very passionate person and he just lived his life.

“He didn’t like drama, he didn’t want bulls*** in his life.

“He would light up the room. He’d walk in and everyone loved him. He would spend the time of day talking to everyone and anyone. He’d always get a photo or have a beer or they could sit with us; he was a real people person.”

BEERS WITH BAZ

What Round wasn’t was sombre – and Lumb said his tribute evening wouldn’t be either.

The day, held on February 25 — in honour of his guernsey number 25 — will be held at the Burleigh Bombers AFL club, where Round held monthly lunches.

Guests, including former footballers Craig Lambert, Brad Hardie, Tony Dullard and Sam Kekovich, will gather to have a beer for ‘Baz’.

“It’s just exactly what Barry would want — his mates here having a beer, knowing we’re all supporting each other.”

Round’s lunches were known to draw crowd of up to 200 men from across the Gold Coast.

A plan is still being made as to how the lunches will continue in future.

Barry and Jenni always enjoyed a beer and a bet every Saturday. Image: Supplied