Latest news with #MagareyMedals
The Advertiser
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Was he the greatest? Debate on as SA footy legend dies
In South Australian footy circles, it always came down to this: Robran or Ebert? There's no solution to who is SA's best Australian rules player, but arguments settled on two: Port Adelaide great Russell Ebert, or North Adelaide legend Barrie Robran. And despite Ebert's astonishing four Magarey Medals, many plump for Robran, who won the SANFL medal three times. "Robran was universally regarded across South Australia as the finest footballer the state has produced in its history across the past 150 years," an AFL statement said. The chief of his SANFL club North Adelaide, Craig Burton, had no doubt, extending the Robran-Ebert debate to a national one. "We think he's number one, the greatest ever footballer," Burton said. "You'll get an argument from people in Victoria … but he was definitely right up there." The SANFL didn't take sides in its tribute, referring to the Roosters great as "among" the state's players ever. "Barrie was a champion of our game and has left an indelible mark on football in South Australia through his on-field brilliance," SANFL president Rob Kerin said. Robran was an inaugural member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and the first South Australian honoured with "legend'' status, in 2001. He dominated the SANFL from his debut in 1967 until retirement in 1980, playing 201 games for North Adelaide. He also played 17 state games and captained SA. A seven-time consecutive club best-and-fairest and dual premiership player at North, Robran's career stalled in 1974 when, playing for SA, he injured a knee in a clash with Victoria's Leigh Matthews. "As the years have gone by I've often thought: 'Had that have not happened …'," Robran had said. "It probably cost me about 150 league games here in South Australia because I was 26 when that happened. "My ambition in football was always to play until I was 40 at some appropriate level where I could play and not embarrass myself." In South Australian footy circles, it always came down to this: Robran or Ebert? There's no solution to who is SA's best Australian rules player, but arguments settled on two: Port Adelaide great Russell Ebert, or North Adelaide legend Barrie Robran. And despite Ebert's astonishing four Magarey Medals, many plump for Robran, who won the SANFL medal three times. "Robran was universally regarded across South Australia as the finest footballer the state has produced in its history across the past 150 years," an AFL statement said. The chief of his SANFL club North Adelaide, Craig Burton, had no doubt, extending the Robran-Ebert debate to a national one. "We think he's number one, the greatest ever footballer," Burton said. "You'll get an argument from people in Victoria … but he was definitely right up there." The SANFL didn't take sides in its tribute, referring to the Roosters great as "among" the state's players ever. "Barrie was a champion of our game and has left an indelible mark on football in South Australia through his on-field brilliance," SANFL president Rob Kerin said. Robran was an inaugural member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and the first South Australian honoured with "legend'' status, in 2001. He dominated the SANFL from his debut in 1967 until retirement in 1980, playing 201 games for North Adelaide. He also played 17 state games and captained SA. A seven-time consecutive club best-and-fairest and dual premiership player at North, Robran's career stalled in 1974 when, playing for SA, he injured a knee in a clash with Victoria's Leigh Matthews. "As the years have gone by I've often thought: 'Had that have not happened …'," Robran had said. "It probably cost me about 150 league games here in South Australia because I was 26 when that happened. "My ambition in football was always to play until I was 40 at some appropriate level where I could play and not embarrass myself." In South Australian footy circles, it always came down to this: Robran or Ebert? There's no solution to who is SA's best Australian rules player, but arguments settled on two: Port Adelaide great Russell Ebert, or North Adelaide legend Barrie Robran. And despite Ebert's astonishing four Magarey Medals, many plump for Robran, who won the SANFL medal three times. "Robran was universally regarded across South Australia as the finest footballer the state has produced in its history across the past 150 years," an AFL statement said. The chief of his SANFL club North Adelaide, Craig Burton, had no doubt, extending the Robran-Ebert debate to a national one. "We think he's number one, the greatest ever footballer," Burton said. "You'll get an argument from people in Victoria … but he was definitely right up there." The SANFL didn't take sides in its tribute, referring to the Roosters great as "among" the state's players ever. "Barrie was a champion of our game and has left an indelible mark on football in South Australia through his on-field brilliance," SANFL president Rob Kerin said. Robran was an inaugural member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and the first South Australian honoured with "legend'' status, in 2001. He dominated the SANFL from his debut in 1967 until retirement in 1980, playing 201 games for North Adelaide. He also played 17 state games and captained SA. A seven-time consecutive club best-and-fairest and dual premiership player at North, Robran's career stalled in 1974 when, playing for SA, he injured a knee in a clash with Victoria's Leigh Matthews. "As the years have gone by I've often thought: 'Had that have not happened …'," Robran had said. "It probably cost me about 150 league games here in South Australia because I was 26 when that happened. "My ambition in football was always to play until I was 40 at some appropriate level where I could play and not embarrass myself."
Perth Now
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Was he the greatest? Debate on as SA footy legend dies
In South Australian footy circles, it always came down to this: Robran or Ebert? There's no solution to who is SA's best Australian rules player, but arguments settled on two: Port Adelaide great Russell Ebert, or North Adelaide legend Barrie Robran. And despite Ebert's astonishing four Magarey Medals, many plump for Robran, who won the SANFL medal three times. "Robran was universally regarded across South Australia as the finest footballer the state has produced in its history across the past 150 years," an AFL statement said. The chief of his SANFL club North Adelaide, Craig Burton, had no doubt, extending the Robran-Ebert debate to a national one. "We think he's number one, the greatest ever footballer," Burton said. "You'll get an argument from people in Victoria … but he was definitely right up there." The SANFL didn't take sides in its tribute, referring to the Roosters great as "among" the state's players ever. "Barrie was a champion of our game and has left an indelible mark on football in South Australia through his on-field brilliance," SANFL president Rob Kerin said. Robran was an inaugural member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and the first South Australian honoured with "legend'' status, in 2001. He dominated the SANFL from his debut in 1967 until retirement in 1980, playing 201 games for North Adelaide. He also played 17 state games and captained SA. A seven-time consecutive club best-and-fairest and dual premiership player at North, Robran's career stalled in 1974 when, playing for SA, he injured a knee in a clash with Victoria's Leigh Matthews. "As the years have gone by I've often thought: 'Had that have not happened …'," Robran had said. "It probably cost me about 150 league games here in South Australia because I was 26 when that happened. "My ambition in football was always to play until I was 40 at some appropriate level where I could play and not embarrass myself."
Perth Now
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
AFL Hall of Fame legend dead aged 77
Australian football Hall of Fame Legend and arguably South Australia's greatest footballer, Barrie Robran, has died. Robran, who won three Magarey Medals as the best player in the SANFL, as well as seven best and fairests for his club North Adelaide across 201 games, was 77. One of the inaugural inductees into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, Robran was elevated to a legend five years later despite never playing in the VFL, choosing instead to dominate in his home state. The Barry Robran statue at Adelaide Oval. Jason Hywood Credit: Supplied North Adelaide Football Club legend Barrie Robran at Prospect Oval, Prospect, Kaurna Yarta, on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. (The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette) Credit: News Corp Australia He was the first South Australian to be named a Hall of Fame legend. Robran kicked 194 goals for North Adelaide from 1967-80, won premierships in 1971-72 and is also in the club's team of the century. He was such a revered figure in South Australia that there's a statue of Robran at the Adelaide Oval that serves as a permanent reminder of his standing. Robran was an SA stalwart, played 17 state matches and served as an SA selector for 14 years. AFL CEO, Andrew Dillon said there was little debate around who was SA's best ever player 'This is a terribly sad day for South Australian football, as Barrie Robran was the outstanding player in a time when the game was built around state pride, and testing yourselves at a state level against the best from around the country,' Mr Dillon said. The Three Legends - Russell Ebert (left), Malcolm Blight (centre) and Barrie Robran (right). Photo Sarah Reed. Credit: News Corp Australia 'While fans in other states may argue over who were their best-ever players, that same debate has always been absent in Adelaide as any South Australian who saw Robran play simply defers to him as the greatest.' North Adelaide president Kris Mooney said Robran was 'more than just a footballer'. 'He was the embodiment of everything North Adelaide stands for – excellence, humility, and unwavering loyalty. His legacy will forever inspire us, and his quiet grace touched everyone he met,' he said in a statement. 'We are incredibly proud to call him one of our own.' One of Robran's sons, Matthew, was a dual-premiership player in 130 games for the Adelaide Crows, further cementing the family's football legacy. His niece, Jade, an Adelaide media personality, had to leave her morning radio show after being told the news of her father's death on Wednesday. Crows Chairman John Olsen wrote in a club statemewnt: 'Barrie's contribution to our game was immense and more importantly, the manner in which he carried himself as a person both on and off the field leaves a lasting legacy. 'The collective thoughts of everyone at our Club are with Barrie's family and friends.'
Courier-Mail
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
AFL legend Barrie Robran dies aged 77
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australian football Hall of Fame Legend and arguably South Australia's greatest footballer, Barrie Robran, has died. Robran, who won three Magarey Medals as the best player in the SANFL, as well as seven best and fairests for his club North Adelaide across 201 games, was 77. One of the inaugural inductees into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, Robran was elevated to a legend five years later despite never playing in the VFL, choosing instead to dominate in his home state. The Barry Robran statue at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Jason Hywood He was the first South Australian to be named a Hall of Fame legend. Robran kicked 194 goals for North Adelaide from 1967-80, won premierships in 1971-72 and is also in the club's team of the century. He was such a revered figure in South Australia that there's a statue of Robran at the Adelaide Oval that serves as a permanent reminder of his standing. Robran was an SA stalwart, played 17 state matches and served as an SA selector for 14 years. North Adelaide president Kris Mooney said Robran was 'more than just a footballer'. 'He was the embodiment of everything North Adelaide stands for – excellence, humility, and unwavering loyalty. His legacy will forever inspire us, and his quiet grace touched everyone he met,' he said in a statement. 'We are incredibly proud to call him one of our own.' Robran takes a mark in the SANFL in 1973. Picture: Ray Titus One of Robran's sons, Matthew, was a dual-premiership player in 130 games for the Adelaide Crows, further cementing the family's football legacy. His niece, Jade, an Adelaide media personality, had to leave her morning radio show after being told the news of her father's death on Wednesday. Originally published as AFL world mourning death of Barrie Robran, the first South Australian legend in the Hall of Fame
Perth Now
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
AFL Hall of Fame legend passes away
Australian football Hall of Fame Legend and arguably South Australia's greatest footballer, Barrie Robran, has passed away. Robran, who won three Magarey Medals as the best player in the the SANFL as well as seven best and fairests for his club North Adelaide across 201 games, was 77. One of the inaugural inductees into the Australian football Hall of Fame in 1996, Robran was elevated to a legend five years later, despite never playing in the VFL, choosing instead to dominate in his home state. The Barry Robran statue at Adelaide Oval - Jason Hywood Credit: Supplied He was the first South Australian to be named a Hall of Fame legend. Robran played 201 games and kicked 194 goals for North Adelaide from 1967-80, won premierships in 1971-72 and is also in the club's team of the century. He was such a revered figure in South Australia, there's a statue of Robran at the Adelaide Oval which serves as a permanent reminder of his standing. Robran was an SA stalwart, and played Robran, played 17 state matches and served as a South Australian selector for 14 years. North Adelaide President, Kris Mooney, sid Robran was 'more than just a footballer'. 'He was the embodiment of everything North Adelaide stands for – excellence, humility, and unwavering loyalty. His legacy will forever inspire us, and his quiet grace touched everyone he met,' he said in a statement. 'We are incredibly proud to call him one of our own.' Barrie Robran taking mark in the SANFL in 1973. (Pic: Ray Titus) Credit: Supplied His daughter, Jade, an Adelaide media personality had to leave her morning radio show after being told the news of her father's passing on Wednesday. One of Robran's sons, Matthew, was a dual-premiership player in 130 games for the Adelaide Crows, further cementing the family's football legacy.
