The niece of Barrie Robran has thanked listeners for their well-wishes as tributes continue to flow for the footy legend, who died this week aged 77.
Robran is widely regarded as the best player to emerge from South Australia and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
He played 201 games for North Adelaide from 1967 to 1980, winning the state’s highest honour for a footballer, the Magarey Medal, on three occasions.
Robran also coached North from 1978 to 1980, won two SANFL premierships, and won admission to the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Speaking on FIVEAA’s winter breakfast program on Friday, Jade Robran told co-host Tom Rehn it has been a tough couple of days for the family.
‘It’s just hard. Reading the tributes, hearing the stories shared has been so heart-warming, and we are so grateful,’ she began.
‘Through the tears we are smiling, knowing that he is an incredible man, obviously an incredible footballer.’
‘He was a huge talent on field, but a greater human off it.’
The niece of Barrie Robran has thanked listeners for their well-wishes as tributes continue to flow for the footy legend, who died this week aged 77
Barrie Robran (pictured) has been lauded as the greatest South Australian footballer of all time
The North Adelaide icon (pictured running out for a game) forged his status as a legend over the course of 201 games
Elsewhere, former North Adelaide halfback Bohdan Jaworskyj labelled Robran ‘smooth and silky’ and was always blown away by his pure athleticism.
SA Football Commission chairman Rob Kerin said Robran ‘changed the way the game was played’ and veteran football commentator Bruce McAvaney felt the footy star was ‘almost god like’ at times on the field.
On Wednesday, Robran was on air before abruptly leaving the studio just before 7am.
Co-host Rehn then addressed her shock departure, informing listeners there had been a ‘death in her family,’ he said.
‘Jade unfortunately has had to go home, there has been some unexpected and very tragic news.
‘There’s been a death in her family so we wish Jade all the very best.’
North Adelaide paid a heartfelt to their icon after the sad news broke.
‘Barrie was, without doubt, in our view the greatest ever to play the game of Australian Rules Football, and certainly the most revered son of our beloved Roosters,’ the club’s statement read.
When news of his death broke on Wednesday, Robran’s niece Jade (pictured with footy greats Ryan Fitzpatrick and Michael O’Loughlin) had to abruptly leave the studio in the middle of the radio show she hosts in Adelaide
Robran (pictured) received a touching tribute from South Australian Premier Peter Malinausakas after he passed away
Pictured: Robran (with the ball) takes on the opposition during his heyday for North Adelaide
‘His unparalleled skill, quiet humility and unwavering dedication left an indelible mark on our club and the broader community.’
South Australian Premier Peter Malinausakas also expressed the state’s admiration.
‘Saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary Barrie Robran MBE,’ Malinauskas wrote on X.
‘A Whyalla boy who was one of South Australia’s greatest footballers, a state treasure.
‘On behalf of all Government of South Australia, I extend our deepest condolences to his wife Taimi, sons Matthew and Jonathan, grandchildren, and his wider family.’
Robran won North’s best and fairest award seven times and he had a statue depicting him taking a mark installed at Adelaide Oval in 2014.
His footy career began with the North Whyalla club before being recruited by North Adelaide.
‘Barrie was more than just a footballer, he was the embodiment of everything North Adelaide stands for – excellence, humility, and unwavering loyalty,’ club president Kris Mooney said.
‘His legacy will forever inspire us, and his quiet grace touched everyone he met.
‘We are incredibly proud to call him one of our own.’
