Ron Barassi Sr.
| Ron Barassi, Sr. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Ronald James Barassi | ||
| Date of birth | 24 October 1913 | ||
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Australia | ||
| Date of death | 31 July 1941 (aged 27) | ||
| Place of death | Tobruk, Libya | ||
| Original team(s) | Castlemaine | ||
| Height / weight | 173 cm / 72 kg | ||
| Position(s) | Rover | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1936–1940 | Melbourne | 58 (84) | |
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1940. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Ronald James Barassi (24 October 1913 – 31 July 1941) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League (VFL). His grandfather came from Italy and Ron was the father of Hall of Famer Ron Barassi Jr. who was signed to Melbourne under the Father-Son Rule.
Originally from Castlemaine, Barassi was a rover and made his debut for Melbourne in 1936. His final league match was Melbourne's victorious 1940 Grand Final which he started as the 19th man.
Like many other footballers from the Melbourne Football Club he joined the army soon after. Serving as part of Australia's campaign in North Africa, he was killed in action at Tobruk in 1941, the first VFL footballer to lose his life in the conflict.
See also
- List of Victorian Football League players who died in active service
- Siege of Tobruk
- The Rats of Tobruk
References
Main, J. & Allen, D., "Barassi (snr), Ron", pp. 214–220 in Main, J. & Allen, D., Fallen — The Ultimate Heroes: Footballers Who Never Returned From War, Crown Content, (Melbourne), 2002. ISBN 1-74095-010-0
External links
