- AFL has yet to decide how to honor the late Ron Barassi
- The Talk Premiership Cup will be renamed after the footy icon
- Tipped as an off-season focus for leading AFL officials
The AFL will not decide on the best way to pay tribute to Ron Barassi until after the grand final, amid growing calls to rename the premiership cup after the football icon.
Australian rules legend Barassi, who died on September 16 aged 87, will be farewelled at a Victorian state funeral.
In addition to the trophy, the league is considering renaming its premiership medals after Barassi.
Outgoing CEO Gillon McLachlan acknowledged last week there was pressure on the AFL to make a decision on the Barassi tribute before Saturday’s grand final.
But the league was unable to make a decision in time for the Collingwood-Brisbane Lions season decider at the MCG.
The AFL won’t decide on the best way to pay tribute to Ron Barassi until after the grand final, amid growing calls to rename the Premiership Cup after the late football icon
Barassi claimed a total of 10 VFL premierships as a player and coach with Melbourne, Carlton and North Melbourne in a glittering football career (pictured, playing for the Blues in 1969)
“The AFL will continue to work with the Barassi family on a fitting tribute to Ron,” the league said in a statement on Saturday.
“(CEO-elect) Andrew Dillon and his team will do that this offseason.”
AFL bosses have consulted clubs and key industry figures on how to recognize Barassi’s contribution to the game.
McLachlan has said the tribute is likely to be similar to the league’s recognition of Norm Smith and Jock McHale, both of whom grand final prizes are named after.
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.
“There are different ways and I know the focus is on renaming the premiership cup. That will lead to different insights,” McLachlan said last week.
“We will go through the process with our clubs and ultimately it will be a Commission decision.”
In addition to the AFL premiership trophy (pictured), the league is considering renaming the premiership medals after Ron Barassi
There has been no confirmation of when Barassi’s state funeral will take place.
The update on the AFL’s Barassi tribute came as the league announced the Allen Aylett Medal will be awarded to the No. 1 pick in the men’s national draft starting this year.
The award honors the life of former North Melbourne champion and VFL president Allen Aylett.
Aylett, who died in September last year, was chairman of the Kangaroos and led the club to their first VFL premiership in 1975 after recruiting Barassi as coach.
Barassi claimed a total of 10 VFL premierships as a player and coach with Melbourne, Carlton and North Melbourne.