Where Are They Now?: Brendan Barrows
Posted May 25, 2010 - 6:00 AM
by Ron Head
Brendan Barrows was under the notice of Claremont Football Club talent scouts from an early age.
Son of outstanding Borden forward, Brian Barrows, who was a three hundred and fifty game plus player in the Ongerup Association, the young Barrows impressed in his five years at Hale School, playing for the College’s first eighteen as a tenth year student, at the age of fifteen. The only one of his age to make the interstate carnival team, Barrows had played in three interstate carnivals by the time he turned eighteen, eventually captaining the side.
A well built six foot one and a half, and weighing eighty two kg’s, Barrows was an extremely agile and flexible player, who played in most positions on the ground during his career. A good kick and reliable mark,Brendan received a good grounding under long standing Hale mentor, Alistair McMillan, who also coached father Brian in his tenure at the college. Played as a forward with the Claremont colts in 1988, Barrows was an integral part of their premiership of that year, before making his league debut the following season in what was to become a premiership year for the league side.
Barrows became a victim of the politics of the early AFL years in 1990, when, on arrival at Subiaco Oval on grand final day, after being part of the Tigers’ second semi final seven point win over Swan Districts, he was informed by President Wayne Reynolds that he was out of the league side. “The West Coast Eagles wanted their player, Mark Hepburn, in the side to gauge his fitness and applied pressure to get him into the team, so, Mark being a centre half forward, and me being the current holder of that position, I was the odd man out,†he said. “It shattered me at the time, but I did have the good fortune to be involved in a unique premiership trifecta at Claremont, being part of colts, reserves, and league flags.â€
Ten members of the 1989 Claremont premiership side, including Barrows, were drafted in 1990, with Brendan going to Collingwood at pick fifty two. “It was always going to be a tough ask to get a game with the 1990 AFL Premiers,†Brendan recalled. “I played in a couple of pre season games, but spent the year in the twos. It was the club’s centenary year, and it was an exciting time for a twenty year old. Playing in the preliminary match for the Collingwood-Carlton clash at the MCG in front of a crowd of sixty odd thousand was tremendous.â€
After the 1991 season, the AFL cut team lists back from fifty two to forty two, and the Pies axed mainly interstate recruits, leaving Brendan little alternative but to return to the Tigers.
At the end of 1993, another premiership year for Claremont, the club had a cleanout of players, with several, including Barrows, told their services were no longer required. After the disappointment of the 1990 grand final episode, it was another blow for the boy from Borden. “I was approached by a few league clubs, but decided to join John Dimmer at West Perth,†he said. “ The rebuff from the Tigers turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me, because at Leederville, my football turned right around.â€
It was West Perth’s last year at their traditional headquarters, and Brendan enjoyed the coaching of Dimmer, who took the club to a flag in 1995. Brendan Barrows also represented Western Australia that season, the first of three times he was to wear the gold and black. In his five year span at the Falcons, Barrows was runner up for the Breckler Medal several times, in what were his most productive football years, spending most of his time in defence.
Turning twenty eight in October, 1998, Barrows was torn between a business career and continuing at the Falcons, but the farm won out. With an opportunity to pursue a new farming venture, and a tired body helping sway the decision, Brendan Barrows turned his back on league football, after a hundred and one games with West Perth and thirty four at Claremont.
Resuming at Borden, Barrows won the fairest and best award for the Ongerup Association in his second year back, along with the E.Geary Medal as best for Borden, and represented Western Australia in a country carnival at Wagga Wagga, in New South Wales.
After a stint coaching the local side, Brendan is enjoying the quiet life now, with the daily challenges of farming keeping him busy. “My young bloke, Boston, is a year old now, and I’m looking forward to being involved with his footy as he grows, but until that time I’m just pacing myself, after being involved in the game for a fair chunk of my life,†he said.
With wife Melinda, Boston, and daughter Ruby, Barrows is enjoying life away from football, playing a bit of golf and tennis.
When playing as a forward, he gave kudos to South Fremantle, Fremantle, and Collingwood defender James Clement as a tough man to beat, while not able to separate a host of players as best he’d played with.
Brendan Barrows was a tough competitor, whether as forward or defender, throughout his league career, but it was at West Perth that he lived up to his Hale School potential, and his value to the West Perth club was recognised when he was included in the official West Perth Team of the Decade, 1994 to 2004.
