AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan today said the late Barry Round would be remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of the Sydney Swans, for his role galvanising the player group in the first days of the club's move from Victoria into Sydney.
Round, 72, passed away today after going into palliative care early this week.
A Brownlow Medallist, inductee into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, South Melbourne / Sydney Swans Team of the Century First Ruck, 300-gamer and AFL Life Member, McLachlan said Round's remarkable career record still didn't tell the full story of his contribution to the game's success in New South Wales.
"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," McLachlan said.
"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.
"His skills as a ruckman, as an unorthodox but reliable kick for goal, and particularly as a dominant mark around the ground, quickly made him an SCG-favourite and ensured the club would thrive, despite many hard days.
"Across his 325-game career at both Footscray and South Melbourne/Sydney, Round was both respected by his opponents and loved for his gregarious nature. He will be deeply missed by all and remembered as one of the cornerstones of the Swans' success in the Harbour City," McLachlan said.
After his VFL career, Round went on to play a further six seasons in the VFA with Williamstown, where he captained-coached a premiership side and was also named as their ruckman of the century.
Barry Round
- 135 games for Footscray 1968-75, 136 goals
- 193 games for South Melbourne / Sydney Swans 1976-85, 157 goals
- Five games for Victoria
- 110 games for Williamstown 1986-91, 103 goals
- 1981 Brownlow Medal
- 1979, 1981 Best and Fairest
- 1980-84 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
