AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says Ron Barassi’s legacy is being “considered” by the league as it searches for the best way to honour the giant of Australian football that could include naming the premiership cup after him.
Barassi, a legendary player and coach who won 10 premierships, died on Saturday at the age of 87, prompting a flood of tributes from the football community and immediate calls to add his name to the AFL’s premiership cup.
McLachlan suggested it would be a lengthy process of consultation before Barassi could be honoured in this manner but did not rule out renaming the cup.
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The outgoing league boss said his personal opinion was that Barassi should be immortalised in the same fashion as Norm Smith and Jock McHale, who have grand final day awards named in their honour.
“The management team discussed Ron Barassi this morning … it’s hard to imagine a more significant figure in the history of Australian rules than Ron Barassi,” McLachlan said.
“It was his exploits on the field, off the field as a coach, but more broadly as an innovator and someone incredibly progressive.
“His legacy is being considered … there is I know a lot of push for the renaming of the premiership cup. There are other ways to remember him, those things have been discussed.
“We believe that we need to go and speak to key industry figures, our clubs, and then ultimately the commission (makes a) decision.”
McLachlan said there would certainly be a tribute to Barassi at the grand final, with meetings beginning this week on the most fitting celebration of his contribution to the sport.
“That discussion started (Monday) morning, they need to be widened outside AFL House to senior club figures and then ultimately the commission, but I think we need to get that done this week because that’s what football needs,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to express my view (on a permanent honour) at the moment other than to say I believe Ron Barassi needs to be honoured in some way.
“I do think that he needs to be acknowledged in the game in the same way that Norm Smith has been or Jock McHale.”
Barassi’s family has also been offer a state funeral by Victorian Premier Dan Andrews.
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