It is rare that a single decision defines an umpire’s career and stands in the memory of contemporary spectators and later generations who have viewed it on television and computer screens in the ensuing decades. Wayne Harmes knocking the ball from the boundary line to the goal square resulting in a crucial goal in the 1979 VFL Grand Final is one such decision.
Bob Barker was the goal umpire who correctly judged the ball had remained in play and from that day until his recent passing did not waver that the decision was correct noting, “I have never ever had a doubt in mind about that decision. Never ever. There was no need for me to think otherwise. If I had the decision to make one hundred times again, I would do it 101,” he said. I was pretty confident at the time that I got it right.”
When new vision proving beyond doubt the ball was always in play was revealed in 2023, he reiterated, “I was pretty confident at the time that I got it right – and I’m very pleased the video has now borne that out”.
The Harmes decision was but one of thousands Bob made in a career that began as a boundary umpire and completed as a goalie 17 senior seasons later.
Robert Walter Barker was born on 4 October 1931 in Waverley, NSW. He joined the VFL Second Eighteens as a boundary umpire in 1954. He was promoted to the VFL senior list in 1959 on the back of VFL Second Eighteen grand finals in 1958 and 1959.
In Round 2, 1959 Bob debuted at Windy Hill earning Heritage No. 309 as Essendon downed St. Kilda. Making steady progress over the next two years his first final came in 1960, a dour first semi-final; his second was the 1961 VFL Preliminary Final where he had a ground level view of Bulldog Merv Hobbs took a gigantic grab over Trevor Johnson that was dubbed ‘Mark of the Century’. Later that month he was appointed to the Night Grand Final. Bob’s last final on the boundary was the 1963 first semi in front of a then-record semi-final 88,000 crowd.
Returning to the now VFL Reserve Grade in 1965 he took up the goals and, while not umpiring a Reserve Grade grand final, he was one of four goal umpires promoted to the VFL list for 1971.
His debut in the goals was eventful. St. Kilda registered a rare win at Kardinia Park, by 94 points no less, and field umpire John Sutcliffe was replaced in the third quarter by Harvie Lyons. Bob gained his second heritage number, this time for the goals; 157.
The introduction of the Final Five in 1972 offered more finals opportunities and Bob was appointed to the very first elimination final.
In an era of ever-increasing scores, a number stand out for Bob. In Round 11 1978 Footscray scored 213 points against St. Kilda who still managed 106. The following year the Saints did not do so well scoring 29 points to Collingwood’s 31.21 (207). Ray Shaw’s World of Sport Goal of the Day from the left forward pocket sailed over Bob’s head.
Seasons 1979 and 1980 proved Bob’s most successful with his appearance in those years’ grand finals. The drama of 1979 was not replicated the following year. With a Barker at each end in the goals Kevin and Bob shared Kevin Bartlett’s remarkable seven goals. Bob broke the tie signalling the extraordinary running goal from the pocket to end with four of the seven KB goals.
Compulsory retirement at 50 years of age was the VFL’s rule in the 1980s and so Bob’s career concluded at the end of the 1981 season: his final match the 1981 VFL Preliminary Final. With brilliant final quarter lead-taking and match sealing goals from Rene Kink, Peter Daicos and Craig Davis it was a fitting farewell.
In a 17-year senior career Bob had accumulated 281 VFL premiership matches: 85 (3 finals) on the boundary and 196 (9 finals) in the goals. In addition, there were other matches in various VFL night series competitions and 45 VCFL finals and representative matches across both disciplines.
Off the field Bob was a member of the VFLUA Executive Committee from 1974-1976 and was awarded life membership in 1975. Until recent years Bob was a regular attendee at the Former Grand Final Umpires’ Function. He was particularly proud to be inducted into the AFLUA Hall of Fame in 2010s Tenth Ballot.
The final words should go to Roy Ferguson, Bob’s goal umpiring colleague and partner in what was, at the time the largest winning margin in a VFL match.
“He was top of the list. Of all the guys I will miss most it is Bob. He taught me so, so much in my time with him.” A sentiment mirrored by all those colleagues over a wonderful career.
Bob Barker passed away 7 October 2024, aged 93.
Vale Bob. It was never out of bounds.