AFL legend Ron Barassi is back at the gym and his old self after Covid fight

He once famously referred to one of his players as “bloody weak as p***” — You could never say that about Ron Barassi who, at 85, is back in the gym after battling Covid.

Football legend Ron Barassi is back in the gym after fighting off Covid-19.

Barassi, 85, and his wife Cherryl tested positive to Covid-19 soon after attending the 70th birthday of Peter ‘Crackers’ Keenan last month.

The former Melbourne captain was then forced to miss the Demons’ flag celebration day at the MCG on December 5, where he was to hand over the 2021 premiership cup to captain Max Gawn and coach Simon Goodwin.

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Barass is back. The Melbourne legend has recovered from Covid. Picture: David Caird

Barassi’s manager/agent Rosemary Long told the Sunday Herald Sun the six-time premiership player and four-time premiership coach was fighting back from his illness.

He returned to his normal gym routine on Thursday and has made good improvement.

“Ron is on the improve,” Rosemary Long said.

“He went to the gym (on Thursday) and the plan was that he was going to take it easy. But Ron did his full routine, much to the surprise of his trainer.”

Barassi is a beloved figure at Melbourne.

Melbourne is now likely to ask Ron Barassi to play a role in its premiership flag unfurling in Round 1 next year.

The Demons have been tight-lipped about their plans regarding their flag unfurling ahead of the Round 1 clash with Grand Final opponents Western Bulldogs on Wednesday March 14.

But honouring Barassi – one of the Demons’ favourite sons – is expected to form part of their plans as they look to close out the 2021 premiership celebrations in a memorable fashion.

Originally published as AFL legend Ron Barassi is back at the gym and his old self after Covid fight