Australian Rules: Not So Much A Game, A Way Of Life
(From
GRAEME JENKINS,
N Z P A. Special Correspondent)
SYDNEY, Australian Rules football, an amalgam of Rugby, soccer, hand ball and basketball, known disparagingly in many quarters as “aerial pingpong,” is not so much a game in its chief centre, Melbourne, as a way of life. Consequently, it came as no real surprise when one of the code’s leading clubs. Carlton, announced it was insuring the life of its new player coach. Ron Barassi, for £25.000 Not only is Australian Rules a spectacular game, it is also one which can arouse unsuspected passion in normally staid Melbournians with the result that there are often as many clashes between spectators as between the gladiators in the arena. The players are protected from their “fans” when they take and leave the field by steel mesh cages designed to stop the flow of bottles and
beer cans on to unprotected heads. And almost invariably, at th-' big games at least, there are mounted policemen to escort the hapless referee from the field. For several seasons Barassi has been the “glamour” player of the code, a sort of -Wilson Whineray-Don ClarkeRon Jarden rolled into one, with the result that he is rightly regarded as the Carlton club’s most valuable asset.
Earlier this year there was something approaching panic in Melbourne when it was announced that Barassi was transferring from the Melbourne club to Carlton for a three-year term. Barassi’s payment for the
switch is said to exceed £9OOO. On top of that, of course, he gets not inconsiderable playing fees. Announcing the move to insure the new coach for £25,000, the Carlton club president, Mr George Harris, said: “We consider him the best asset the club possesses and it was decided we should take immediate steps to indemnify the club against the possible loss of such an asset."
The club had endeavoured to insure Barassi against being injured end unable to play, but it is understood the premium for such a policy, if any insurance company was willing to take it, would have been prohibitive. Carlton, tenth out of 12
teams last season. Is said to have its eyes fixed firmly on the premiership this year.
Australian Rules: Not So Much A Game, A Way Of Life
Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30724, 13 April 1965, Page 19
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