Ron Barassi: Demon great reflects on the legacy of his late father Ron Sr.

Footy legend Ron Barassi opens up on the legacy of his father’s death in World War II and says he is tipping a surprise result in the Anzac Eve game.

Ron Barassi and Bayley Fritsch with the revered Melbourne No. 31 jumper. Picture: David Caird

Saturday night’s Anzac Eve blockbuster between Melbourne and Richmond will be an emotional occasion for AFL Legend Ron Barassi almost 80 years on from his father’s death in World War II.

But the 85-year-old Demon great is backing his old side to cause an upset against the powerful Tigers.

“To be the best you have to beat the best,” Barassi told the Herald Sun. “They (Melbourne) have had a great start to the year and hopefully it can continue this week.”

Barassi with a photo of his father Ron Sr. in military uniform. Picture: David Caird

Barassi says the Anzac Eve game holds a special place in his heart. Picture: David Caird

Barassi hopes to be at the MCG on Saturday night for what will be the sixth Anzac Eve clash between these two sides since the concept was first devised for 2015.

Melbourne is undefeated and off to its best start since 1994, while Richmond has shown no sign of slowing up after winning three of the past four premierships.

Given the form of both teams, and the high level of interest in the game, this year’s match could even overshadow the traditional Collingwood-Essendon fixture on Sunday.

The game, and the respect shown to those who have served and continue to serve Australia holds a special place in Barassi’s heart.

This July will mark 80 years since his father, Ron Sr., was killed at Tobruk in 1941, aged 27.

Barassi was only five at the time and can barely remember anything other than the telegram arriving with the tragic news.

“My mother and I were staying with my uncle and his family in Footscray,” he said.

“I remember the telegram (detailing his father’s death) arriving at the house. It was just a scene of utter grief.

“War is a terrible thing.”

Ron Sr. played in Melbourne’s 1940 premiership side – 10 months before his death. Sadly, three other members of that 1940 flag side – Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott, Syd Anderson and Harold Ball – were also killed in World War II.

Barassi passed on his best wishes to current day Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch when the pair met for a special photograph on Friday.

Fritsch wears the revered Melbourne No. 31 jumper, which was the same number that Ron’s father wore in 58 games before he went off to war and never returned.

Ron Jr. inherited the number when he first played with the Demons in 1953 and wore it throughout his extraordinary VFL career (bar one game), albeit that he always felt it was his dad’s number, not his.

The Melbourne Football Club pledged to honour its war dead, even signing an official document which put on record that it would look after “the material welfare” of Ron Barassi Sr.’s wife and his young son.

The club also named awards after the four players from the 1940 premiership side killed at war – a tradition that survives today.

The club’s best and fairest is named after ‘Bluey’ Truscott, one of Australia’s best fighter pilots.

The names of Syd Anderson and Ron Barassi Sr. adorn the second and third best and fairest awards, while the club’s best young player is named after Harold Ball.

Barassi said he had continued to feel his father’s absence more and more through the years, even making a trip to his grave almost 40 years ago.

“I had dreamt about visiting his grave over the years and it became a reality when Cherryl (his wife) and I went there in 1984,” he said.

“I don’t remember anything I said, but I do know that I said: ‘Dad, I love you!”

“Although I was only five when he was killed, he’s always been a hero to me. I spent a fair bit of time crying.

“I had thought about trying to investigate bringing him home to Australia. But I think if he had anything to say about the matter, he wouldn’t want to come back.

“I reckon he would have wanted to stay with his mates.”

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