Barassi: The Biography

by Peter Lalor

Long before Ronald Dale Barassi played his first match of Australian rules football, he'd already made a significant impact on the game. At the age of five his soldier father was killed at Tobruk, and so great was the footy fraternity's respect for the Barassi family, that several years later the father/son rule was introduced. Innovative, creative, visionary, and ferociously tenacious, Ron's achievements are legendary. As a champion player he is credited with having all but invented the position of ruck rover and as a premiership coach he is said to have revolutionized the use of handball. He was also one of the first (and certainly one of the loudest) to push for fully nationalizing the game. But as integral as Ron Barassi is to football, he is quick to point out that, "It was never my life." Now for the first time Barassi tells his story—the whole story—in his own words. Barassi goes behind the legend to reveal the devoted family man, the dabbler in the arts, the champion for disadvantaged kids, and the tale of a fatherless boy who was determined to make his own way in the world. Barassi is a wonderfully warm, astonishingly self-deprecating, and deeply personal portrait of an Australian sporting legend.

Genres: Biography

424 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biographies of this type can be difficult to write as there needs to be a balance of getting to know the subject as well as recording all of his sporting triumphs and disasters. I got the impression the author tried to get the balance right but I wasn't so sure he nailed it. I also got the impression he was more comfortable in telling of his sporting exploits then trying to paint a picture for the reader of the type of person Barassi is. In the end, while I enjoyed the book, I was left with a feeling of dissatisfaction but I couldn't make my mind up if that was the author's fault or the person Barassi is.

[Mike Taverner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guy is the history of our great game.

[Peter Langston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read about a strangely heroic man living in a world which moved on but he refused to accept it. A brilliant and honest portrayal of Barassi, dealing not with the hero or the legend but the man.