In the spirit of remembering the events of 2023, The Roar takes a final look at the legendary sporting figures who passed away.
Ron Barassi, an AFL icon, passed away in September, leaving behind a legacy that earned him a place in both the AFL Hall of Fame and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. He played 253 VFL games in his career, including 204 for Melbourne and 49 for Carlton. Barassi also won 10 premierships in his career as a player and coach, leaving an indelible mark on the sport with his strategic masterstrokes.
Syd Fischer, the sailing legend, completed the Sydney to Hobart race 42 times before his death at the age of 95 in February.
In the rugby league community, the passing of John Sattler, who famously played with a broken jaw in the 1970 Grand Final, was mourned. He had been diagnosed with dementia three years prior to his death.
Australian cricket also said goodbye to several notable figures, including Brian Taber, Brian Booth, Ken Archer, Faith Coulthard, and Norma Johnston.
Other prominent athletes who passed away in 2023 included Owen Davidson, Frank Phillips, Dean Holland, Manfred Schaefer, Bobby Charlton, Simon Dunn, and Rob Heming, a Wallabies stalwart.
Even non-athletes like Tina Turner, who had an impact on rugby league through iconic advertising campaigns, were mourned when they passed away in May.
The sporting world has truly lost some of its finest figures in 2023.