How hard knocks led to memory lapses for Ron Barassi

Ron Barassi says he learned to show no fear during his 17-year VFL career but this style of play, and the ensuing head knocks, have caused him to now struggle to remember the game he loves.

Jon Anderson

2 min read

February 27, 2020 - 8:30PM

AFL must look closely at the 'ramifications of concussion'

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Ron Barassi asked for and gave no quarter during a 17-year VFL playing career that was highlighted by an apparent total lack of fear.

He later admitted his on-field persona was bravado, having taught himself to remove fear from his psyche when running over the boundary line. Sadly, he also admitted privately that he credited his style of play with regular memory lapses.

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Ron Barassi in his VFL playing days.

Ron Barassi in 1987.

Ten years ago Barassi, who celebrated his 84th birthday on Thursday, was the guest speaker at a reunion luncheon to celebrate the 1970 Carlton-Collingwood Grand Final where he coached the Blues to a famous comeback victory.

When reaching the microphone he received the obligatory warm applause that always greets one of the game’s favourite sons, before addressing the faithful.

“I would like to give you chapter and verse on the game but my memory doesn’t allow me to,” explained Barassi.

“I received a lot of hard head knocks during my career and I now know that those knocks have reduced my memory of parts of my career.”

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Nobody thought any less of the man who played in six premierships with Melbourne between 1955-64 and coached four more with Carlton (1968 and 1970) and North Melbourne (1975 and 1977).

As someone who was seated next to Barassi, and as someone who had known him for nearly 30 years, I pursued the matter, asking him if he feared for others. “We were raised in an era where you didn’t complain after a hard knock because you didn’t want to be seen as soft. Thankfully times are changing,” Barassi said.

“Many footballers would have regularly played out games with concussion, or were sent back on the field despite displaying obvious symptoms. It’s frightening looking back on it.”

Ron Barassi at the MCG. Picture: David Caird

Wind the clock forward to 2020 and you don’t have to travel far to find a former player who is living in fear. Some, such as John Barnes, John Platten, Shaun Smith and Greg Williams, have been public in their admittance of post-career issues. Williams struggles to remembers details of any match he played during a decorated 250-game career between 1984-97.

And then there are a more current pair of AFL greats who played in the 2000s. Both privately admit to moments that leave them “scared” at what the future holds, one recently finding himself in a shopping centre with no idea as to why he had gone there. Neither will go on the record due to concerns it will affect their ongoing employment.