Barry Davis: Footy world in mourning as legend dies aged 80
- Barry Davis has died at the age of 80
- Premiership legend is an Essendon and North Melbourne legend
- The football world has paid tribute to the Hall of Famer
Barry Davis, who received the rare distinction of being top players at two AFL clubs, has died aged 80.
Davis was a premiership player, best and fairest winner and captain at Essendon and then North Melbourne in his playing career from 1961-1975.
He is a life member of the two clubs, a member of their teams of the century and inducted into the Australian Football Hall Of Fame in 1997.
He also coached the Bombers in 1978-80 before stepping down and is credited with laying much of the groundwork for his successor Kevin Sheedy, who broke their premiership drought in 1984.
Davis was a key figure in North’s recruitment coup of 1973, as the Kangaroos took full advantage of the then VFL’s new ten-year rule.
Barry Davis has died at the age of 80, it was confirmed on Thursday
North Melbourne is mourning the passing of Barry Davis, the club’s inaugural VFL/AFL premiership captain.
Davis claimed two Syd Barker Medals during his time as Kangaroo and was named in the club’s Team of the Century, selected in 1996.
Under the rule, players who had served their club for ten years could transfer to another team of their choice.
The Kangaroos swooped in and recruited Davis from Essendon, as well as John Rantall from South Melbourne and Geelong’s main forward Doug Wade.
All were current or former captains at their previous clubs and the VFL scrapped the rule shortly afterwards.
Davis captained North to their first premiership in 1975 and subsequently retired.
“Barry Davis was a brilliant defender and robber who was one of the VFL greats in the 1960s and 1970s,” AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said in a tribute.
Davis was a three-time premiership player and laid the foundation for Kevin Sheedy at Essendon
“He was a three-time premiership player and a five-time career best and fairest winner. He was also a regular state representative for Victoria and a hero to the young fans of both his clubs.
“Barry will be remembered as a pivotal player for both the Bombers and Kangaroos and we extend our condolences to his family, many friends and former teammates.”
Davis made 218 appearances for Essendon, playing in their 1962 and ’65 premiership teams.
He was three times best and fairest with the Bombers, captaining them in 1970-71, and twice finished runner-up in the Brownlow Medal.
“When Essendon people think of Barry, they will remember him as both a champion player and a true gentleman,” said Bombers chief executive Craig Vozzo.
Davis captained the Kangaroos in his 71 games from 1973-75, winning their ’73 and ’75 best and fairest awards for a career total of 289.
“So many people associated with that first great era of our club thank Barry – along with coach Ron Barassi – for raising the expectations of our players and supporters after a long period without ultimate success,” said North president Sonja Hood.
Davis also played 11 games for Victoria.
In 2002, Essendon ranked him at number 15 of their top 25 players.