CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse has renewed calls for the AFL Premiership Cup to be named after Ron Barassi.

Malthouse first suggested the concept in 2002 and has seen nothing since to alter his thinking. Malthouse, 61, admits to being an unabashed fan of the 79-year-old Barassi but says his suggestions runs a lot deeper than idolisation.

media_camera Ron Barassi holds the 1964 premiership cup aloft

“To put it simply Ron Barassi is an institution. I am biased because I admire him so much and just love his company, but you have to look at the whole package and Ron Barassi is everything you want football to be,” said Malthouse, on a day where he conducted a series of press interviews in readiness for Friday, May 1, when he will pass Jock McHale as the games record holder for coaches.

“He is an outstanding Australian in so many ways and how utterly appropriate it would be to have our Premiership Cup dedicated to Ron Barassi, just as the US do in gridiron with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.”

Malthouse pointed out his four children had been raised in a house where AFL football is ever present, but a few years back one of his sons failed to recognise a picture of Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck.

“This is meant as no disrespect to Michael Tuck but I guarantee that if you took a photo of Ron Barassi around Australia that most people would know him straight away. He’s all the things that I look at when I think of greatness in our game,” said Malthouse.

“Ron Barassi is someone who respects all sports and a man who has never feared other codes. We have a wonderful sport that will remain number one in my and Ron’s lifetimes. We should respect and embrace other sports because that can only strengthen us. The moment you fear things you are weakened. Embrace soccer, embrace the rugby codes and learn from them as Barassi did throughout his career.

“And he was someone who was always willing to promote our code overseas. Will those countries embrace our game from a playing perspective? Probably not but you can still showcase a wonderful spectacle.”