A decade after it was acquired intact by Paul Little AO, the Ron Barassi Collection will return to Leonard Joel for auction in November 2026.
The collection of Ron Barassi (1936 –2023) is one of the most important archives of Australian Rules Football memorabilia ever assembled. Comprising awards, mementos, historic pieces, and personal curiosities, the collection offers an insight into the life and career of one of the most important figures in the history of the game.
In 2016, Paul Little AO purchased the collection through Leonard Joel prior to auction with a deeply held ambition to preserve it as a public museum celebrating the football legend. Over the ten years since, opportunities were explored across state, public, sporting, and private institutions. Despite considerable effort, a permanent institutional home could not ultimately be secured, and Mr Little has now made the decision to offer the carefully maintained collection for sale once more. The conservative estimates established at the time of acquisition in 2016 have been retained, allowing it to pass into the hands of collectors and enthusiasts who will appreciate and preserve these important pieces for future generations.
John Albrecht, Managing Director and Head of Important Collections at Leonard Joel, says: “As the collection comes to market, it does so carrying not only its original importance, but also the legacy of a decade of thoughtful stewardship. It represents a unique opportunity for collectors, historians, and football enthusiasts alike to become custodians of a remarkable chapter in Australian sporting history, ensuring that the stories, achievements, and traditions embodied within the collection continue to be preserved and celebrated for generations to come.”
Highlights from the collection include Ron Barassi’s Melbourne Football Club premiership guernsey, worn by the Demons captain in the 1964 Grand Final against Collingwood, estimated at $20,000-40,000, a pair of Ron Barassi branded football boots circa 1960s, ($4,000-6,000), and Ron Barassi Snr’s 1938 Most Unselfish Player trophy ($4,000-6,000).
We look forward to presenting this extraordinary collection at Leonard Joel in November, honouring both its significance and the passion that has gone into its preservation over many years.
The Ron Barassi Collection, offered by Paul Little AO
Timed Online Auction, bidding ends Monday 2 November 2026, Melbourne
October 2026