AFL legend Ron Barassi to miss premiership celebrations due to Covid-19

An AFL legend has cruelly been denied the chance to be involved in Melbourne’s premiership celebrations due to a brush with Covid-19.

AFL legend Ron Barassi will miss out on Melbourne’s long-awaited premiership celebrations after he and his wife tested positive to Covid-19.

Barassi had been set to present the premiership cup to Demons coach Simon Goodwin and captain Max Gawn at the MCG on Sunday, where 40,000 fans are expected to gather in honour of Melbourne’s flag triumph.

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But the 85-year-old will have to isolate at home. He and his wife are double vaccinated and won’t be required to go to hospital.

According to several reports, it’s believed Barassi contracted Covid at the 70th birthday party of Peter “Crackers” Keenan, whom he coached in North Melbourne’s 1977 premiership.

Barassi is said to be in good health and was going to the gym twice a week before Covid restrictions kicked in.

Barassi is a giant of the AFL, having won six premierships as a player during a golden era for the Demons, including captaining them to the 1964 flag, their last before the breakthrough win this year.

He also won four premierships as a coach — two at Carlton and two at North Melbourne.

In a sign of his respected status in the game, Barassi was inducted as one of the first legends in the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996.

Melbourne Demons legend Ron Barassi with the 2021 premiership cup. Photo: David Caird

Last month, he was presented with the 2021 premiership cup at his home and was ecstatic Melbourne’s 57-year drought had finally been broken.

He would no doubt have been looking forward to handing the trophy to Goodwin and Gawn — an honour that was given to Demons great Garry Lyon following the grand final win at Perth’s Optus Stadium in September.

Neale Daniher will present the Jock McHale medal to Goodwin, while Christian Petracca will receive his Norm Smith medal for best-on-ground from David Neitz.

In Barassi’s absence, “a surprise member of the Melbourne alumni” will present the premiership cup to the coach and captain on Sunday.

Goodwin will also get the chance to address the red-and-blue faithful after he was famously denied the chance to speak by Basil Zempilas at the grand final.