Ron Barassi

[marklovesbeer]

I've been off work with a broken hand & broken foot (seperate incidents would you believe) for a couple of months now & it's fair to say I've clocked up a few hours in front of the TV.

Foxtel IQ has been great for recording plenty on the box to keep me occupied from sport to cartoons & documentaries to movies.

Anyway, this afternoon I've been watching this 'Who Do You Think You Are?' show featuring Ron Barassi. For those unfamiliar with the programme, they basically follow a celebrity (sport, tv, musician etc.) as they learn more about their family history by retracing the blood lines of their family tree.

It's the first time I've actually watched the show & it's quite good. Obviously being a NMFC supporter Ron Barassi's name comes up quite often, however being only 26 years of age & not having delved into this part of our history to any great depth, I feel like I don't know anywhere near enough about the great man. Watching 'Who Do You Think You Are?' has really got me interested.

So, what I ask of you my friends is can you recomend a good starting point into what is now going to be a little pre-season (& quite possibly longer, as I'm a slow reader) goal of mine of finding out more about Ron...

I've seen there was an autobiography released a couple of years ago & some sort of scrap book too (Icons Of Australian Sport - Ron Barassi). Any other recomendations guys?

For the lucky ones who were able to go to the games back when he was coaching, do you have any stand out memories? His style? Our style? His impact? What were those first two flags like? I look back (although young at the time) at our 90's flags with great fondness & would love to hear any stories anyone has from the Barassi years of the 70's.

Have many of you had the pleasure of meeting him? What's he like? From what Ive seen he seems quite inteligent, innovative & passionate in all parts of his life.

As I said, it's been a slow summer for me so far & there's not a great deal of fresh info/news coming through about our boys at the moment so I thought I'd just get a little thread going about something I really know little about.

...that is until they reveal we've re-signed Basti & Goldy next week when we announce Spitta as the new captain at one big press conference (off season optimism!).

Cheers, Mark.

 

[Mr Reliable]

I think there was a book called "The Coach" about the 1977 season at North Melbourne.

After playing for and captaining Melbourne under Norm Smith (flags in 55, 56, 57, 59, 64, runner's up in 54 and 58) Barass left Melbourne and went to Carlton in 65 after the idiots on the committee at Melbourne sacked and reinstated Norm Smith in the off season.

He was a passionate football man and a thinker about the game. He wasn't just a blood and guts man. He and Norm Smith realised that handball could be a lethal weapon and not something done when you were in trouble.

At North he made the players warm up by kicking with their wrong foot so they could improve their skills. As a player and coach, he was as tough as nails, but scrupulously fair.

He valued the hard workers/tough nuts (Jarrott, Nettlefold, Gumbleton, Melrose, Schimma, Nolan) as well as the skilled (Greig, Blight, Tanner) as well as the one-offs (Crosswell, Cowton, Baker). He just wanted everyone to be as good as they could be. He probably rode the skilled players harder than the rest.

He was our first premiership coach.

As you can probably see, I once loved the bloke. Getting him to North was a stroke of genius by Allan Aylett and co.

For an era we had the BEST coach in the AFL. Unfortunately David Parkin at Hawthorn had players like Matthews and Knights standing between us and the 1976 and 1978 flags.

Here's his Wikipedia link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Barassi

That's enough of my ramblings for now.

 

[Booze Nasty]

1/ Google

2/ Youtube

3/ Operation Premiership- Doco about North's 1st premiership in 1975. Aired on One HD on 20 March 2011 at 8.30pm. DVD copy is available from the Roos Shop but someone said it is 9 minutes shorter? Fascinating summary of the Clubs bold recruiting (players and coach).

4/ The Coach- A season with Ron Barassi by John Powers, first published 1978, republished 2005 (Geoff Slattery Publishing). Follows Barassi during 1977 season fresh from the disappointment of loosing the '76 GF to Hawthorn. You used to be able to get it from the Sports bookshop on Flinders St near the Whale's pub. I've got a copy, it's a great read but I'm biased as I'm 43 and love this period. So many good players back then you didn't know who's number to put on your duffle coat? Oh hang on yes you did, 27.
From watching/reading these sources and talking to ex players who played under him all seamed to respect him. This surprises me given how hard he pushed his players. If he identified you as not living up to your natural ability he would be abusive. I guess copping a spray was a badge of honour as it meant he rated you? Probable didn't feel like it at the time (see youtube for Daryl Sutton being belittled publicly). Different times.

5/ War without weapons (doco)- I believe this follows the 1979 pre-season. NM continue to get the best interstate recruits long before the draft. Parts of this are on youtube under various different titles.

Hope this helps?

 

[marklovesbeer]

1/ Google
2/ Youtube
3/ Operation Premiership- Doco about North's 1st premiership in 1975. Aired on One HD on 20 March 2011 at 8.30pm. DVD copy is available from the Roos Shop but someone said it is 9 minutes shorter? Fascinating summary of the Clubs bold recruiting (players and coach).
4/ The Coach- A season with Ron Barassi by John Powers, first published 1978, republished 2005 (Geoff Slattery Publishing). Follows Barassi during 1977 season fresh from the disappointment of loosing the '76 GF to Hawthorn. You used to be able to get it from the Sports bookshop on Flinders St near the Whale's pub. I've got a copy, it's a great read but I'm biased as I'm 43 and love this period. So many good players back then you didn't know who's number to put on your duffle coat? Oh hang on yes you did, 27.

From watching/reading these sources and talking to ex players who played under him all seamed to respect him. This surprises me given how hard he pushed his players. If he identified you as not living up to your natural ability he would be abusive. I guess copping a spray was a badge of honour as it meant he rated you? Probable didn't feel like it at the time (see youtube for Daryl Sutton being belittled publicly). Different times.
5/ War without weapons (doco)- I believe this follows the 1978 season. NM continue to get the best interstate recruits long before the draft. Parts of this are on youtube under various different titles.

Hope this helps?

Cheers guys.

Who wore 27 back then?

 

[Comebackmick]

Keith Greig

 

[ShinbonerBaz]

Cheers guys.

Who wore 27 back then?

This guy

http://cms.kangaroos.com.au/TheClub/History/PlayerHistory/KeithGreig/tabid/14463/Default.aspx

 

[Mr Reliable]

This guy

http://cms.kangaroos.com.au/TheClub/History/PlayerHistory/KeithGreig/tabid/14463/Default.aspx

Did he inherit the number from another great and skilled wingman who retired just before the first golden era began - Laurie "Twinkletoes" Dwyer?

IIRC Keith got reported late in his career for an incident in front of the grandstand at Arden St - hitting an opponent (from Richmond??) high with a forearm.

Keith mounted the "how dare you report me" defence and got off!

 

[Mr Reliable]

I've been off work with a broken hand & broken foot (seperate incidents would you believe) ........

Mate, those staff counselling sessions must be tough at your place.

 

[Old Skool]

Did he inherit the number from another great and skilled wingman who retired just before the first golden era began - Laurie "Twinkletoes" Dwyer?

Yes.

It's a famous jumper.

Laurie played his last game in round 20, 1970 and Keith debuted in the jumper in round 1 of 1971.

The jumper was worn by only 3 players over 42 years between 1956 and 1998. Laurie Dwyer, Keith Greig and Darren Crocker.

Norths 1941 VFL leading goal kicker Sel Murray also wore the 27 jumper.

 

[ShinbonerBaz]

Did he inherit the number from another great and skilled wingman who retired just before the first golden era began - Laurie "Twinkletoes" Dwyer?

IIRC Keith got reported late in his career for an incident in front of the grandstand at Arden St - hitting an opponent (from Richmond??) high with a forearm.

Keith mounted the "how dare you report me" defence and got off!

Yep

#27 history here

http://www.kangaroos.com.au/TheClub/History/GuernseyNumbers/27/tabid/12015/Default.aspx

 

[marklovesbeer]

Yes.

It's a famous jumper.

Laurie played his last game in round 20, 1970 and Keith debuted in the jumper in round 1 of 1971.

The jumper was worn by only 3 players over 42 years between 1956 and 1998. Laurie Dwyer, Keith Greig and Darren Crocker.

Norths 1941 VFL leading goal kicker Sel Murray also wore the 27 jumper.

That's pretty cool.

I hope Azza respects it.
My missus works with Paul Puopulo's girlfriend so I hear a bit of this & a bit of that with the happenings at Hawthorn. Apparently when new players start at the Hawks they have to do some research into & give a presentation about the history of their guernsey number to the rest of the playing group.

 

[ShinbonerBaz]

That's pretty cool.

I hope Azza respects it.
My missus works with Paul Puopulo's girlfriend so I hear a bit of this & a bit of that with the happenings at Hawthorn. Apparently when new players start at the Hawks they have to do some research into & give a presentation about the history of their guernsey number to the rest of the playing group.

Didn't we do something similar in the past? Along the lines of inviting an ex player to a training session and have the current wearer of his number make a presentation in front of the group about the former player.

 

[LT Smash]

That's pretty cool.

I hope Azza respects it.
My missus works with Paul Puopulo's girlfriend so I hear a bit of this & a bit of that with the happenings at Hawthorn. Apparently when new players start at the Hawks they have to do some research into & give a presentation about the history of their guernsey number to the rest of the playing group.

Simmo and Clarko importing culture.

 

[Booze Nasty]

Did he inherit the number from another great and skilled wingman who retired just before the first golden era began - Laurie "Twinkletoes" Dwyer?

IIRC Keith got reported late in his career for an incident in front of the grandstand at Arden St - hitting an opponent (from Richmond??) high with a forearm.

Keith mounted the "how dare you report me" defence and got off!

"It's a slur and an insult to my name" was the quote The Sun went with.

I remember it being an innocuous incident as Greig was scrupulously fair preferring to leave the tough stuff to others. Greig had the skills, Schimma the courage.

Nobody sold candy like no.27.

Took a pretty special player to beat Schimma as the shinboner of the century.

 

[BringBackRooRuckle]

In addition to what's already been recommended, maybe I recommend the doc "War without Weapons". It was a film made about Our 1979 pre-season. Goes for about 30 mins IIRC. It's available as an extra on the DVD of Year of the Dogs (also worth a watch!), but may be available elsewhere?

 

[ozzyoslo]

"It's a slur and an insult to my name" was the quote The Sun went with.

I remember it being an innocuous incident as Greig was scrupulously fair preferring to leave the tough stuff to others. Greig had the skills, Schimma the courage.

Nobody sold candy like no.27.

Took a pretty special player to beat Schimma as the shinboner of the century.

Great call Boozy....or was it a wiki look up??

but I do recall.... there was a cartoon with the write up of the SUN, featuring Mark "Jacko" Jackson wishing he thought of using that line for his defense...he had a run of indiscretions just prior to Greig´s night at the tribunal.

 

[Booze Nasty]

Not a Wiki look up but rather one of the many useless quotes/facts I tend to retain at the expense of others more relevant to career progression and appearing intelligent.

North Melbourne 1976 to 1982 would be my Mastermind subject of choice although I suspect others on here would beat me on the night?

Great follow up "Jacko" trivia. Not many Norwegian punters would remember Jacko's handstands. He was doing it long before Aker.

Jacko used to holiday each year in Merimbula (mid 80's). I also spotted Blight, Henshaw and Trevor Barker there around this time.

Useless trivia you simply wont get on the streets of Oslo or Kristiansand*.


* google maps look up

 

[Mr Reliable]

"It's a slur and an insult to my name" was the quote The Sun went with.

I remember it being an innocuous incident as Greig was scrupulously fair preferring to leave the tough stuff to others. Greig had the skills, Schimma the courage.

Nobody sold candy like no.27.

Took a pretty special player to beat Schimma as the shinboner of the century.

In case anyone gets the wrong impression, I'm sure it is not being suggested that Keith Greig lacked courage. He was as courageous as most players.

Schimma on the other hand was crazy courageous to the point of recklessness.

 

[Old Skool]

In case anyone gets the wrong impression, I'm sure it is not being suggested that Keith Greig lacked courage. He was as courageous as most players.

Schimma on the other hand was crazy courageous to the point of recklessness.

Greig could look like a Gazelle whilst driving in nails. There's a reason he got KO'd by Ray Card, it's because he ran straight at the ball and never took his eye off it.

Schimma just looked dogged in everything he did. He was a maniac in the Stevens mould.

 

[Groggyk]

Even as a young pre pube, the one vivid memory that still sticks in my head is Barass having impeccable style.

The image of the Plaid Stallion running onto the ground still brings a tear to the eye.

 

[LT Smash]

Greig could look like a Gazelle whilst driving in nails. There's a reason he got KO'd by Ray Card, it's because he ran straight at the ball and never took his eye off it.

Schimma just looked dogged in everything he did. He was a maniac in the Stevens mould.

The difference is that Schimma could kick a goal after a long run. I don't care what anyone says, Schimma's goal around the outer wing in the '77 Grand Final Replay was better than that overrated bullshit goal from Phil Manassa.

As for Barassi, I think his attitude towards star players was summed up in his comment that they got their ability from the eye of their father's ****. But it's what they did with that natural gift that was all that mattered to Barassi. That's why he drove them harder. He had a difficult relationship with Blighty and Greigy. Blight was talked out of leaving on a number of occasions by Ron Joseph. Greig got to the point where he struck a deal with Barassi in the 1980 season where Barassi was not to talk to Greig all year. It's the one year that Greig won the Syd Barker, which is also interesting in that Barassi and his match committee didn't rate either of Greig's Brownlow years as the best player at the club.

As mentioned earlier, The Coach is a must-read for any North fan interested in that era.

 

[Stevedinga]

there are a couple of other books on Ron Barassi. There is the scrapbook that was released in 2008 "Barassi". Then there is also another book which I picked up at a second hand book shop "Barassi- The life behind the legend" written by Ron Barassi and Peter McFarline released in 1995. I think you might be able to get it on ebay pretty cheap. This is great as it gives you a real insight on his whole career. I am still reading the Peter Lalor book (got it for christmas 2010, but have been distracted with two kids under 2).

I read "The Couch" when it was re-released in the early 2000s, this is a must if you want to understand the guy.

I just found another book "Wisdom" on amazon which I might read on the kindle shortly. Has anyone read this book?

 

[Mr Reliable]

there are a couple of other books on Ron Barassi. There is the scrapbook that was released in 2008 "Barassi". Then there is also another book which I picked up at a second hand book shop "Barassi- The life behind the legend" written by Ron Barassi and Peter McFarline released in 1995. I think you might be able to get it on ebay pretty cheap. This is great as it gives you a real insight on his whole career. I am still reading the Peter Lalor book (got it for christmas 2010, but have been distracted with two kids under 2).

I read "The Couch" when it was re-released in the early 2000s, this is a must if you want to understand the guy.

I just found another book "Wisdom" on amazon which I might read on the kindle shortly. Has anyone read this book?

No, but "interesting books" might be a good thread on Lidge's Lounge one day.

 

[Valian]

I think there was a book called "The Coach" about the 1977 season at North Melbourne.

.

Its a good read, bought mine in 78 & recently had it autographed by Crazy Horse.!

 

[Valian]

1/ Google


5/ War without weapons (doco)- I believe this follows the 1979 pre-season. NM continue to get the best interstate recruits long before the draft. Parts of this are on youtube under various different titles.

Hope this helps?

I recall the 1979 season, North recruited very well, Ebert, Cornes, Bryant to name the big ones. The talk around the VFL wasnt about who would be in the GF , it was about who would be playing NM in the GF. pity we got rolled & didnt make it, not sure if we even made the prelim either. The dream run of playing in 6 straight GFs was over. Not sure if that has been equalled since (maybe hawthorn in the 80;s??) . Then the drought began & was finally broken in 96!!