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 all his most essential achievements being the best way 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 choice for the membership’s long-term survival.
Almost each participant purchased in based mostly 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 leadership, and because of his leadership, the Swans fought huge obstacles to lay down a foundation that sees them today as one of the great clubs of the AFL.”
Round joined Footscray (now Western Bulldogs) as a 17 12 months previous, and between 1969-75 performed 135 senior video games with the membership.
He performed 193 video games with South Melbourne/Sydney from 1976-85, and coached and performed for Williamstown within 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 chosen within 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 big man who leaves behind a legacy which will forever live in the folklore of our club,” Swans president Andrew Pridham mentioned.
“He was an outstanding player and forged such a decorated career. But his impact at the Swans reaches far beyond the playing arena.
“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.”
