Barrie Robran

Barrie Charles Robran (25 September 1947 – 16 July 2025) was an Australian rules footballer who played for in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) from 1967 to 1980. He won South Australian football's highest individual honour, the Magarey Medal, on three occasions – 1968, 1970 and 1973.

Robran is generally considered to be the greatest ever South Australian football player. His citation in the Australian Football Hall of Fame describes him as "the best player never to play at AFL level".

Robran won immense respect not only for his talent, but also his humility and sportsmanship. He played most of his time at centre half-forward, but was versatile enough to also play in the centre or on the ball as a ruck-rover. Off the field, Robran kept a low public profile and shunned much publicity.

Early life and career

Robran was the firstborn son of father Colin and mother Glad. He had a younger brother, Rodney. He was educated at Whyalla Technical High School and was School Prefect in his final year, 1964. A natural athlete, Robran excelled not only at football, but also played cricket, basketball and table tennis. He also participated in cross-country running and baseball.

In 2000, Barrie Robran was named as a ruck rover in North Adelaide's "Team of the Century" (1901–2000). He was also part of the teams selection committee alongside then Roosters Chairman Colin Walsh, Tom McKenzie, Gordon Schwartz, Jeff Pash and Don Lindner. Both Pash and Lindner were also selected in the team.

In 2002, Robran was one of the 113 inaugural inductees into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.

In the 1982 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for service to Australian rules football.

Robran is depicted taking a high mark in Jamie Cooper's painting the Game That Made Australia, commissioned by the AFL in 2008 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the sport.

In 2012 he was elevated to the status of legend in the SA Sports Hall of Fame, joining Sir Donald Bradman and Bart Cummings as the only three legends in the Hall of Fame.

In 2014 he was the first SA footballer accorded the honour of having a statue at the revamped Adelaide Oval.

Personal life and death Robran married Taimi Vestel at the Enfield Methodist Church in January 1970. He had two sons who also played football: Matthew (born 1971) played in 's 1997 and 1998 premiership victories, while Jonathon (born 1972) represented and . His younger brother Rodney Robran played alongside him for much of his playing career at North Adelaide and was a well-regarded player in his own right.

Robran also had a very brief cricket career, in the 1971–72 season playing one List A and two first-class games for South Australia.

Robran died on 16 July 2025, at the age of 77.