Ron Barassi

Ronald Dale Barassi, 1936 to 2023, was an Australian rules footballer, coach and media personality, regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of the game. His father, a Melbourne player, was killed at Tobruk in the Second World War, which led to the father-son rule. Barassi pioneered the ruck-rover position, played in six premiership-winning sides at Melbourne, then moved to Carlton in 1964 and coached it to two premierships. He later coached North Melbourne to its first two premierships, returned to Melbourne, and coached the Sydney Swans. He was the first Legend of the Australian Football Hall of Fame and was given a state funeral.