Almanac Footy: Vale – Barry Round
Barry Round had a barrel chest, and ran like a plough horse. But he had a diesel motor, and heart of a giant. He was larger than life, loved a beer, and gave a damn.
When we were kids, a friend told me to come to the Lakeside Oval after South training, to see Big Barry! He was excited. I didn’t know what he was on about.
After training, all the other players left, bags over shoulders. Some even signed an autograph or two. Barry joined is for a kick-to-kick. Markers up! Ten of us, bouncing off his big frame, while he went clunk, clunk, clunk, always with a smile. Often until sunset.
To me, that sums up a great man.
I understand why he left Footscray. Dempsey, Hampshire, several others in front of him. A team of ruckmen. Their loss was South’s gain. I wish he’s played at every club! He really only had one skill. Will.
Heart.
Character.
Work ethic.
Call it what you will.
His broad shoulders too, the Swans into a new age, and in that, kept South alive. He was a champion, in an age where the word is thrown around too easily, he was the real deal. Because he was a champion bloke first.
I was there, at Willy, when his team undermanned, out skilled, undersized, defied all odds, a horrible score-line, and did what their leader would do throughout his career. Win through force of will!
What was it? 48 points down in the last? Something stupid like that. The comeback was so Barry Round.
I ran out with the rest of the world to pat anyone wearing blue and yellow I could on the back, and there was Barry, in front of me, pushing through a sea of craziness and delirium, of tears and joy, larger than all of us, a mountain, looking for his teammates, blocking out the sun.
Of course he kept playing until he was 41! Of course! He just loved footy.
My fondest memory of him was when I spoke to him for my history of Aussie Rules footy book. It was on the Gold Coast. Lazy shorts, a beachside bar balcony and several last beers suited him just fine. It felt right. We had a lazy slip and he treated me not as a book writer, or bush worker, but just another bloke who loved the game as much as him.
It was the sweetest few hours.
Good on ya, Barry. Thank yer mother for the rabbits, champion! You added to this world.
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Beautiful tribute Matty. Even as a little Carlton supporting kid I knew Barry Round was a special player even though he lacked the bells and whistles of the league’s stars. Kicked goals too! Thanks for articulating that here mate
Full respect to Barry.
Loved what he did in the VFL and the VFA.
Rest in peace big fella.
Well done Matt.
At Williamstown beach, well past his playing career, Barry Round was one of the sunrise swimmers.
He would walk to the beach in thongs, shorts and t-shirt, with his two dogs.
Near the water’s edge he would slip off the thongs, peel off the t-shirt, take off his shorts (Speedos underneath).
You certainly got a sense of the size of the man.
Stepping into the shallows he’d nod or say g’day to whoever was about that morning for their dip: Clive, John, Karen, Merryn, Feathers, Lester, Mike, Dan…
He didn’t quite part the sea like Moses but it took a decent walk through the water to get to a swimming depth. If the tide was low he’d be out neatr the groyne before it was safe to take the plunge.
Back on shore, he’d slip on the thongs, pop on the shorts, toss his t-shirt over his shoulder, whistle to the dogs, nod goodbye and be on his way.
A fine tribute to a wonderful man.
He was a legend around Williamstown.
I was fortunate enough to watch him croon “The Gambler” in the pubs around Willy on a number of occasions.
He had the ability to make you feel as if you were the most important person in the world when he was speaking to you. A rare gift.
He was one of a kind.
RIP
Superb Old dog! Barry truly got it big time RIP
The Swans came to Sydney on Roundy’s massive shoulders.
He led the way – a trailblazer for the national competition.
He was a frequent visitor to Sydney for celebratory events for his old club.
Remember him being interviewed at the entry to the marquee for one of these events when he said:
“There are over 200 ex players here tonight and I’m going to have a beer with each one of them!”.
But the most memorable was at an after-match event when he got up to sing The Gambler…
then with Billy Thorpe in the house he started on Most People I Know…
Thorpie got up to sing with him.
Sadly, Billy Thorpie passed away very soon after.
Now Roundy has gone.
We’ll all miss the big fella.
When Roundy played in the VFA, opposition ruckman had no idea what to do with him. They underestimated his aerobic capacity for starters and when they contested in the ruck they couldn’t go over him, around him or wrestle with him! He was a great ambassador not just for Willy but the entire VFA. Such a sad loss.