“I go about three or four times a year,” he told a Commonwealth Bank business lunch at the Commercial Club.

The remark wasn’t exactly music to the ears of the 110 people in the audience.

Most were on the edge of their seats as the football legend fielded questions about his glory days with the Demons, Blues, Kangaroos and Swans.

Barassi, 74, loved talking footy, of course, but was quizzed by 2AY’s Andrew Walker about leadership, keeping fit at 74 and how he seemed to be loving life.

“Leadership is about setting an example and showing the way,” he said.

“I wouldn’t respect a boss who did things he told us not to do.”

Someone mentioned Jason Akermanis but Barassi wasn’t saying too much except that, sadly, the player “had to go”.

Still on the leadership theme, Barassi told the bankers, developers, industrialists and retailers that it was always wise to seek professional advice.

“Don’t hesitate to go to an expert if you want to be a better person, worker or achiever,” he said.

“If you are honest and truthful, you’ll get plenty of help.”

Barassi isn’t above imparting advice himself, but revealed that most of his letters to the AFL and clubs bemoaning the millions spent on footballers went unanswered.

Ultimately, fees of many millions of dollars would lead to higher gate prices and, horror of horrors, the game would turn into something like rugby, soccer or basketball, he said.

“Soccer around the world is a joke,” he said.

“It’s a great game but three or four clubs in every country dominate the game because of the money.”

“The purpose of sport is not to be wealthy but to play in the premiership.”

He regretted that AFL football was no longer the enjoyable game to watch as it was in the 1970s and earlier.

“It was a fantastic looking game in my time,” he said.

No one argued with Barassi about that, and how could they?