Inaugural Sydney Swans captain and 1981 Brownlow medallist Barry Round has died on the age of 72.
Round handed away on Saturday after going into palliative care earlier this week.
The former star ruckman will probably be remembered as an icon of the AFL/VFL, with one in every of his most necessary achievements being the way in which he galvanised the participant group following South Melbourne’s transfer to Sydney in 1982.
Alongside his loyal deputy Mark Browning, Round satisfied the gamers that the relocation to Sydney was the one possibility for the membership’s long-term survival.
Almost each participant purchased in primarily based on their perception in Barry and Mark’s judgement.
“The early days of the Swans in Sydney, after their painful relocation from the Lake Oval in Melbourne, were incredibly challenging for the club as they sought to generate a new fan base and establish themselves at the SCG,” AFL chief govt Gillon McLachlan mentioned.
“In a turbulent period as the club battled to build its new life and the competition itself grappled with the first stage of expansion four decades ago, Round held the player group together with his larger-than-life personality.
“Under his management, and due to his management, the Swans fought big obstacles to put down a basis that sees them as we speak as one of many nice golf equipment of the AFL.”
Round joined Footscray (now Western Bulldogs) as a 17 year old, and between 1969-75 played 135 senior games with the club.
He played 193 games with South Melbourne/Sydney from 1976-85, and coached and played for Williamstown in the VFA.
Round was captain of the Swans from 1980-84, and he tied with Footscray legend Bernie Quinlan for the 1981 Brownlow medal.
In 2003, he was selected in the South Melbourne/Sydney Team of the Century as first ruck.
He was an inaugural inductee into the Swans Hall of Fame in 2009 and elevated to Bloods Champion in 2022.
“Barry was a giant man who leaves behind a legacy which can endlessly reside within the folklore of our membership,” Swans president Andrew Pridham said.
“He was an excellent participant and cast such a embellished profession. But his affect on the Swans reaches far past the enjoying area.
“He was among those who led the club through the turbulent relocation era in the early 1980s and his support and influence were crucial to the move ultimately going ahead, in the face of much opposition.”
BARRY ROUND
135 video games for Footscray, 1968-75, 136 objectives
193 video games for South Melbourne/Sydney Swans, 1976-85, 157 objectives
Five video games for Victoria
110 video games for Williamstown, 1986-91, 103 objectives
1981 Brownlow medallist
1979, 1981 Swans Best and Fairest winner
1980-84 Swans captain
South Melbourne/Sydney Team of the Century (ruck)
Williamstown Team of the Century (ruck)
1986, 1990 Williamstown premierships
1987 Liston Medal
1989-93 Williamstown coach
Australian Football Hall of Fame Inductee
AFL life member
Sydney Swans life member
Williamstown life member
