- The Melbourne Demons legend was a champion player and coach
- Leaves behind a huge legacy after his death
- An important step to name the premiership trophy after him
Renaming the premiership cup after Ron Barassi is one of the ways the AFL is considering honoring the football legend.
League leaders will consult clubs and key industry figures in the coming days before deciding how to recognize Barassi, who died on Saturday aged 87.
The AFL Commission will make a final call as the grand final looms next week.
“It is difficult to imagine a bigger or more important figure in the history of Australian Rules than Ron Barassi,” outgoing AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan told reporters on Monday.
“There were his achievements on the pitch, off the pitch and more broadly as an innovator and someone who was incredibly progressive.
‘His legacy is being considered. I know there is a lot of pressure to rename the premiership cup.
‘There are other ways to commemorate him. Those things are discussed.’
Ron Barassi is one of the greatest legends in VFL and AFL history and would be a strong candidate for the said trophy
Barassi played 204 games for Melbourne and 50 for Carlton. The football legend also had an extensive and successful coaching career
McLachlan played a straight bat when asked for his own opinion on whether the premiership cup should be renamed after Barassi.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to express my opinion at this time other than to say that I think Ron Barassi should be honored in some way,” McLachlan said.
“There are different ways and I know the focus is on renaming the premiership cup. That will provide different insights.
“We will go through the process with our clubs and ultimately it will be a Commission decision.
“But I do think he should be recognized in the same way as Norm Smith or Jock McHale.”
Smith and McHale both have major final day prizes named after them.
Barassi has already been honored with a statue at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but there is significant momentum to also name the premiership trophy after him
The Norm Smith Medal is awarded to the best player on site in the season decider and the Jock McHale Medal goes to the premiership winning coach.
The AFL is also considering a tribute to Barassi on grand final day this year.
Barassi played 253 senior VFL games in his career, including 204 for Melbourne and 49 for Carlton.
Between playing and coaching, Barassi claimed 10 premierships at Melbourne, Carlton and North Melbourne.
Only fellow Demons great Norm Smith, who coached Barassi, has won as many flags in a playing and coaching career in the VFL/AFL.