AustLit

'Ron Barassi - iconic Australian Rules footballer...champion coach, motivational speaker and elder statesman. Do they make men like him any more?

'"Barassi" is an epic story that crosses generations and suburban Melbourne clans, although uniquely Australian, it is both universal and timeless.

'The story starts in World War II with Ron's father, Ron Snr, himself a champion footballer, and one of the Rats of Tobruk, a powerful and heroic figure to his son, who is tragically killed in Libya. We follow the development of young Ron, who, under the care and mentorship of legendary coach Norm Smith, relentlessly turns himself into "Mr Football".

'Ever driven to challenge himself, and live up to the impossible memory of his father, Barassi goes on past his glory playing days to successfully coach football clubs, taking them from "wooden spooners" to premiers. While that success is tempered with the failure of his marriage, small business, and his old club Melbourne, Number 31 is often daunted, but never beaten.

'What drives this 72 year old man to rush to the defence of a woman being beaten in the street?'

Source: 'Barassi: The Stage Show website, http://barassi.net.au/
Sighted: 29/08/2012