Ron came from a dyed in the wool Swans family. And was indeed a ball boy on match days at the Lake Oval.
In 1964 however, he accepted the position of assistant club secretary (these days it would be called Deputy CEO) at North Melbourne. And he became a passionate Shinboner for life.
From mid-1993 until end of 1994 Ron returned to the red and white and served as club CEO. His departure for personal reasons was a blow but by then there was light at the end of the tunnel.
He had been based in Sydney working for the AFL on game development.
in early 1993 he planted a seed with Ron Barassi to take on the coaching of Sydney following the unfortunate sacking of Gary Buckenara. And put the idea to Ross Oakley. AFL, CEO.
The club had since its relocation in 1982 been owned twice by private groups and three times by the AFL. In the words of Ross “this was the last roll of the dice.”
Richard Colless who was encouraged by the AFL to assume the role of Chair eventually accepted subject to being able to appoint directors and the CEO of his choice.
He approached Ron to become the club’s CEO based on his long time club administration experience, his big picture view (eg his grasp of how the recently introduced 10 year rule in 1973 that Ron exploited to build North Melbourne into a powerhouse), and his passion for the game.
Ron was instrumental in the club leasing a purpose built facility at the top of the Gold Members Car Park. It was the first facility that housed the entire organisation.. It subsequently had a second floor added.
Ron was also the key to upgrading the club’s match day/training facilities which doubled as its gym.
With the full support of the Board he was mandated to accommodate Tony Lockett’s manager’s contractual demand; and again with the support of the Board and the club’s football department to meet St Kilda’s trade demands. Ron set about seducing Tony to Sydney. He became arguably the best known footballer of any code on NSW. And in 1996 kicked a point after the siren in the Preliminary Final at the SCG to take the club into it’s first Grand Final in 51 years. Notwithstanding a badly torn groin Tony kicked 6 goals in the grand Final won by North Melbourne. The tide had turned.
Ron retained close relations with many existing and past players and when he moved into player management encouraged Shannon Grant to move to North and convinced North to trade Wayne Schwass to Sydney. Shannon played 156 games for North and was a member of its 1999 Premiership team and was adjudged the winner of the Norm Smith Medal. Wayne played 98 games for the Swans and won the Bob Skilton Medal in 1999.Great result for both teams and both players.
