Melbourne legend Ron Barassi hopes of back-to-back for beloved Demons

Melbourne legend Ron Barassi has spoken of his pride in the Demons’ 2021 premiership side and urged them to set their sights on a back-to-back win.

Melbourne legend Ron Barassi has urged this year’s premiership Demons to dare to dream of back-to-back success next season.

An emotional Barassi, 85, got up close and personal with the newly inscribed 2021 AFL premiership cup as Melbourne revealed its intentions to take the long-awaited piece of silverware on the road and to its fans when Covid restrictions ease.

The Herald Sun was there when the Melbourne Football Club showed off the cup to Barassi – a six-time premiership player in red and blue – as he lavished praise on the modern-day Demons, including skipper Max Gawn and coach Simon Goodwin.

“Melbourne won a mighty, mighty, mighty flag; they are hard things to win, so well done, we love you,” Barassi said in a message to the club’s 2021 premiership heroes.

“That was a well-earned, fantastic win.

“There is no reason why there shouldn’t be more to come.

“The Melbourne players and their supporters should be very happy. Give us a couple of weeks (of celebrating) and let’s get ready for next year.”

Ron Barassi with Melbourne’s 2021 premiership cup. Picture: David Caird

Asked if the Demons were capable of winning back-to-back flags after a previous drought stretching back 57 years, the footy great said: “Absolutely they can, why not!” Barassi watched this year’s grand final with his family in a locked down Melbourne, but couldn’t have been happier to see Gawn and Goodwin hold the premiership cup aloft after a 74-point victory over the Western Bulldogs at Perth Stadium last month.

“It means a lot to me,” he said. “It means something special (to all Melbourne supporters).”

“My father (Ron Sr) played for Melbourne; I played with Melbourne. It was beautiful to be a part of and it is great to see Melbourne successful again.”

He lifted the Demons’ 13th premiership cup aloft for this special photo opportunity – just as he did that day when the club won their previous last flag in 1964.

“At the time (in 1964) my mind was telling me ‘I mustn’t let this thing (the cup) fall … (because) it is heavy,” he said as he lifted the 2021 version up with both hands.

“I don’t know how I used to do it with one hand.”

Barassi won six flags as a player with the Demons in 1955, ’56, ’57, ’59, ’60 and ’64 before going on to win four flags as a coach with Carlton and North Melbourne.

Some leading football voices have argued Barassi’s link to the premiership cup as a player and coach means it should be named after him.

Ron gives the elusive trophy a welcome kiss. Picture: David Caird

Barassi with the 1968 premiership cup.

Barassi said of Gawn’s leadership this season: “Congrats, Max, you must be feeling so good. All the players, all your teammates would be feeling good.

“It is what we aim for and you were in charge of what happened.”

He said his former coach, the legendary Norm Smith, had such a close connection with his playing group which was not dissimilar to the relationship Goodwin has with his players. “Simon, it is a fantastic thing, winning a premiership as the coach,” he said. “It is a fantastic thing to do, and I am sure you are a very happy man.”

Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert told the Herald Sun the premiership cup would form part of the focus of the celebrations, saying the club “can’t wait to share it with everyone” as soon as the Covid restrictions allow it.

The club has plans to take the cherished piece of silverware on the road to connect with fans and past greats who couldn’t attend the game in Perth last month.

Barassi and Ray Gabelich with the 1964 premiership cup.

Allen Aylett and Barassi hug with the 1975 premiership cup.

The Demons are looking to host a gala fans day at the MCG in early December – if Covid restrictions permit – to coincide with the return of the premiership heroes to training.

Melbourne also wants to create “a mini grand final” experience for its army of red and blue fans in a potential Round 1 blockbuster clash with Western Bulldogs at the MCG next year.

“We want it to be something special and something that people will remember for the rest of their lives,” Pert said. “We understand how emotional it will be for so many people.”

“We want to play the first game of the year as a grand final ‘replay’ as a reward for our supporters. We want to make it a really big effort to thank all of our supporters who wanted to be at the grand final this year but couldn’t be.

“We hope to be able to unfurl the flag and give our fans the experience of a mini grand final.”