Barry Davis, a member of the AFL Corridor of Fame and a real pioneer of the game, died on the age of 80 on Wednesday night.
Davis performed 289 video games for Essendon and the Kangaroos, successful three VFL premierships in his profession as a defender and ruck rover between 1961 and 1975.
He holds the extremely uncommon feat of being named in each the North Melbourne and the Bombers’ Groups of the Century.
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Davis additionally coached the Bombers from 1978 to 1980.
“Barry Davis was a superb defender and ruck rover who was one of many greats of the VFL within the Nineteen Sixties and Seventies,” AFL chief government Andrew Dillon stated.
“A triple premiership participant and five-time finest and fairest winner throughout his profession, he was additionally a daily state consultant for Victoria and a hero to younger followers at each of his golf equipment.
“Barry can be remembered as a pivotal participant at each the Bombers and the Kangaroos and we ship our sympathies to his household, many associates and previous teammates.”
Davis performed 218 video games for Essendon, that includes in premiership-winning sides in 1962 and 1965 and captaining the Bombers between 1970-71.
Famend for his professionalism, Davis moved to North in 1973, once more captaining the facet and main the Roos to their first ever VFL premiership in 1975 in what proved to be his closing senior match.
Named within the Australian Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1997, he was additionally awarded legend standing at Essendon in 2006.
“Barry Davis was not solely an incredible of our soccer membership, however of Australian soccer extra broadly,” Essendon chief government Craig Vozzo stated.
“His impression at each Essendon and North Melbourne was monumental and he’ll at all times be remembered and celebrated.
“His place as a Corridor of Fame Legend and life member reveals the excessive esteem he’s held in by our membership.
“When Essendon individuals consider Barry, they’ll bear in mind him each as a champion participant and true gentleman.
“Everybody concerned with Essendon ship their ideas to Barry’s household and associates throughout this tough time.”
North Melbourne president Dr Sonja Hood additionally paid tribute to Davis, who’s remembered in the same vein to a different Kangaroos legend, Ron Barassi, who coached the 1975 premiership successful workforce.
“Barry was a universally revered determine throughout the AFL and is without doubt one of the few individuals to be named in two golf equipment’ Groups of the Century,” Hood stated.
“So many individuals related to that first nice period of our membership credit score Barry – alongside coach Ron Barassi – with lifting the expectation of our gamers and supporters after a future with out the last word success.
“The fantastic footage of Barry kissing our first VFL/AFL Premiership Cup are among the many most iconic in our 155-year historical past and he’ll be ceaselessly remembered as a North Melbourne champion.”
North Melbourne gamers will put on black armbands in honour of Davis and 1962 Greatest and Fairest Invoice Serong, who handed away earlier this week, in Saturday’s match in opposition to Port Adelaide in Hobart.
There was additionally widespread respect paid to Davis on social media after his unhappy passing.
TheTruthNMFC account wrote on X: “If Barry Davis wasn’t the most effective recruit in our Membership’s historical past he was actually probably the most influential. RIP.”
Herald Solar journalist Glenn McFarlane wrote: “Being a member of a workforce of the century is an enormous honour for any footy champion. Think about being part of two TOTC … that was the seismic impression Barry Davis – who died on Wednesday, aged 80 – had on two golf equipment, Essendon and North Melbourne. Vale Barry.”
The AFL Followers Affiliation wrote: “(The AFLFA) sends its finest needs to household & associates of Barry Davis, who handed away on the age of 80. Barry was a triple premiership participant and five-time (finest and fairest) winner throughout his profession, enjoying 289 video games for Essendon and North Melbourne from 1961 to 1975.”
Sports activities journalist Rohan Connolly wrote: “Actually unhappy to listen to of Barry Davis’ passing. Terrific ruck-rover & half-back for Essendon, then as North Melbourne’s first premiership captain. Forward of his time as a coach and helped arrange Kevin Sheedy’s premiership groups of 1984-85. Most significantly, a beautiful, first rate man. RIP.”
