One of Melbourne's most famous roads, located directly adjacent to the hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, has been permanently renamed to honour the legendary Ron Barassi. This change solidifies the AFL icon's enduring legacy in the very heart of the city's sporting landscape.
A Fitting Tribute at the Home of Football
Brunton Avenue, the bustling thoroughfare that runs parallel to the southern end of the MCG, will now be officially known as Barassi Way. The renaming was formally unveiled on Friday, a date of profound significance as it would have marked Barassi's 90th birthday.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan declared the renaming a tribute that truly belongs at the home of Australian Rules Football. 'Ron Barassi was an icon of Victoria and Australian Rules Football, so it's only fitting to have his name memorialised next to the home of football,' she stated.
An Unmatched Football Legacy
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon strongly echoed this sentiment, placing Barassi among the most pivotal figures in the game's history. 'Ron Barassi is a Legend of our game, widely regarded as one of the most important figures across the history of Australian football,' Dillon affirmed.
The newly christened Barassi Way now frames a precinct deeply intertwined with Barassi's storied career. The road stretches between Jolimont Street in East Melbourne and Punt Road, bordering the suburbs of Richmond and Cremorne, and flanking the very ground where Barassi forged his legacy.
He played 115 of his 254 VFL games at the MCG for both Melbourne and Carlton, before embarking on a highly successful coaching career across four clubs at the highest level.
Beyond Premierships: Shaping Modern Football
Barassi's remarkable playing career included six premierships with Melbourne. His coaching record was equally formidable, spanning 515 games and securing four flags—two with Carlton and two with North Melbourne.
However, his influence is often described as extending far beyond mere premiership counts. Barassi is widely credited with shaping a more modern, faster brand of football through innovative tactical changes and demanding, high standards that transformed the sport.
Minister for Sport Steve Dimopoulos emphasised that the road naming was designed to ensure Barassi's profound imprint endures for future generations. 'Barassi Way will make sure generations to come will remember Ron Barassi's name and the huge legacy that he has left on football and Melbourne,' he said.
A Legacy That Speaks to the City's Identity
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece described Barassi as a figure whose impact stretched well beyond the boundary line. 'As one of the foundational figures of Australian Rules football, a coach who revolutionised the game and a man who consistently stood up for social justice and unity, the story of Ron Barassi speaks directly to who we are today and who we aspire to be. The renaming of this street beside the MCG is a fitting tribute to his legacy,' Reece remarked.
The announcement carried a poignant family note, with Ron Barassi Jnr expressing that 'Barassi Way' reflected his father's renowned focus, courage, and fearless approach to life. 'I think he loved the MCG so deeply because it was a place where he experienced so many of his life's greatest truths,' he shared.
'Dad was a natural leader. He would lead by example and had an uncanny ability to sense exactly what we needed. So when you drive the Barassi Way ... you never know, some [of Ron's character] may rub off. It's up to you.'
Ron Barassi passed away on September 16, 2023, at the age of 87, after suffering complications from a fall. He was honoured with a state funeral held at the MCG, the ground now permanently neighboured by the road bearing his name.
