General News
13 June, 2024
RON BRANTON: A giant among men 1933 - 2024 — By Brian Lennen
It was a cold Saturday morning when I decided to have a coffee in the Carnegie Hub when I chanced upon Ron. He was always glad to see you and so we sat down at the cafe and shared a few moments. People passing by would have been oblivious as to the...
It was a cold Saturday morning when I decided to have a coffee in the Carnegie Hub when I chanced upon Ron.
He was always glad to see you and so we sat down at the cafe and shared a few moments.
People passing by would have been oblivious as to the gentleman sitting opposite.
Ron was diminutive, even in his prime he wouldn’t have been much bigger than a jockey.
I had been fortunate to compere the sports association dinner when Ron was conferred as a legend of the Maryborough Sports Association.
My wife, Judy, and I shared a table with Ron. We were immediately impressed with his humility and modesty.
He was of course a thoroughly decent human being. He was full of optimism and supportive of all.
After Ron had left I mulled over his achievements and the challenges he must have faced to reach them.
At the time, Richmond was a tough neighbourhood, especially for a country kid. Jack Dyer and Roy Wright were legendary figures and life was tough and uncompromising, and in this climate Ron thrived.
He soon established himself as an elite player for the Richmond Football Club starring as a rover and forward pocket player (a consistent goal sneak), he won the goal-kicking award twice.
On two occasions he won the club’s best and fairest culminating in being runner-up in the Brownlow Medal to Alistair Lord in 1962 (he received the highest number of votes ever without winning).
Late in his career he moved to the back pocket where he made the state side, alongside big John Nicholls.
After his VFL career he coached in the Ovens & Murray League coaching Myrtleford with success.
Ron was recognised for his contribution to the Richmond Football Club by being named in its Hall of Fame.
Despite his status in the VFL, players were poorly compensated as the commercial side of football didn’t blossom until after the 1956 Olympics.
Ron was an ornament of the game and a giant among our community.