Editing Ron Barassi (section)

===Carlton years===
A resurgent Carlton gave him a dilemma in 1964. New president [[George Harris (Carlton President)|George Harris]] was desperate to have Barassi at [[Princes Park (stadium)|Princes Park]], and he was willing to offer a lucrative deal for the time – a three-year contract of [[Australian pound|A£]]9,000 (equivalent to $151,320 in 2023) plus bonuses — if Barassi would cross to Carlton as [[Player-coach|captain-coach]].<ref name="sahof.org.au"/> Carlton offered Barassi a chance to test his skills as coach with a professional wage which would help with his children's education.<ref name="sahof.org.au"/>

Barassi joined Carlton in [[1965 VFL season|1965]].<ref name="sahof.org.au"/> On his decision to leave Melbourne, Barassi said that "Inevitably with many decisions in life there will be a downside. It is regrettable but you have to get on with things", he said. "You have to ensure, as much as possible, that the decision you've made turns out right. Fortunately it worked out, and I'll be forever grateful to Carlton for the start they gave me in coaching."<ref name="sahof.org.au"/>

Barassi's coaching at Carlton brought them from their lowest-ever VFL finish (at the time) to premiers only four years later. Drawing from his own experience under Norm Smith, Barassi forced his squad to become more disciplined and committed to the club—and their career. He preached and played a tough brand of football, and asked his charges to play a selfless, team-oriented style.<ref name="sahof.org.au"/>

In [[1968 VFL season|1968]], he guided Carlton to its [[1968 VFL grand final|first premiership in 21 years]]. In mid-1969, he retired from playing, he had played one game and torn his hamstring, but continued as non-playing coach, ultimately going down to Richmond in the [[1969 VFL grand final|1969 VFL Grand Final]] by 25 points; however, in the [[1970 VFL grand final|1970 Grand Final]], in front of the biggest-ever VFL crowd, he led Carlton to arguably football's most famous comeback by defeating Collingwood, who were leading by 44 points at half-time.<ref name="sahof.org.au"/>

After the [[1971 VFL season|1971 season]], Barassi left the Blues to focus on his business career.<ref name="sahof.org.au"/> Despite not having played football since 1969, he signed to play with [[Port Melbourne Football Club|Port Melbourne]] in the [[Victorian Football Association]] in 1972, but he played only four games before suffering a hamstring injury and retiring.<ref name="Melbourne Football Club">{{cite web |title=At 80: the life and times of Ron Barassi |publisher=Melbourne Football Club |first=Matt |last=Burgan |date=25 February 2016 |url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/334613/at-80-the-life-and-times-of-ron-barassi |access-date=16 September 2023}}</ref>