Triple Magarey Medallist Barrie Robran – widely regarded as the greatest South Australian footballer - has been frozen in familiar style in the first of four football sculptures at Adelaide Oval.
The North Adelaide champion and Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend was the first of four SA football greats to have sculptures unveiled on the southern plaza.
Crows premiership coach Malcolm Blight, triple Magarey Medallist Russell Ebert and goalkicking sensation Ken Farmer are the others to be recognised in this way at the ground.
“It’s an extraordinary tribute,’’ said Robran, who was joined by friends and family including his sons Matthew (who played in Adelaide’s two AFL premierships) and Jonathon.
“And I am very, very grateful to those involved for selecting me for this honour. I hope my parents, whilst they are not here, might be very proud.
“The platform for which I was able to achieve this award was probably the North Adelaide Football Club. Without them, this just wouldn’t have been possible so I am indebted to the North Adelaide Football Club which was always the football team I barracked for and wanted to play for. It’s a lovely tribute.”
Robran played 201 SANFL games for North between 1967-80. He played in two premierships, won the Magarey Medal in 1968, 1970 and 1973 and represented South Australia 17 times.
Blight, who coached Adelaide to AFL premierships in 1997 and 1998, started his league career at Woodville and won the 1972 Magarey Medal before moving to North Melbourne, where he played in two VFL premierships and won the 1978 Brownlow Medal.