North Melbourne in mourning over loss of club legends Barry Cheatley and Marj Aylett

North Melbourne are grieving the loss of club legend, Barry Cheatley, who has died aged 85.

It is the AFL club’s second tragedy this week, with life member Marj Aylett passing away peacefully after a short illness on Monday.

Both are being remembered as key figures in the club during its dominant period in the 1970s.

“North Melbourne has suffered another sad loss, with news of the sudden death of former player and administrator Barry Cheatley,” North Melbourne said in a statement.

“Earlier this week, the club was saddened by the passing of life member, Marj Aylett.”

Cheatley was first a player for the Roos between 1959 and 1964, playing 81 games in the blue and white, but became best known for his role as an administrator.

The Ballarat product’s playing career was cut short due to a serious ankle injury at 25.

He returned to the club in 1971 to take up the role of director of marketing.

Cheatley was inducted into North Melbourne’s Hall of Fame and, like Aylett, was a life member of the club.

Aylett was the wife of champion player and former president, Allen Aylett. They were married for 64 years until Allen’s death in 2022.

She was made a life member in 2007 for six decades of service and support to the club.

Cheatley’s entrepreneurial fingerprints remain on the club to this day, having initiated the North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast in the 1960s.

He was also the brains behind the famous circus elephant during an entertainment skit at half-time of a North Melbourne-Collingwood match in 1979.

Most recently, Cheatley was invited to present his old No.19 to Griffin Logue ahead of his first game for the club in Round 1, 2023.

North Melbourne president Sonja Hood paid tribute to the club legend.

“Barry was a key driver of the club’s pioneering spirit of the 1970s that became synonymous with North Melbourne and is still celebrated decades on,” Hood said.

“A former committee member and treasurer of the Past Players and Officials Association, Barry had a fierce love for the club. He was a connector, bringing North Melbourne people together right into his later years.

“We offer our sincere condolences to Barry’s wife Barbara and his children Simone and Guy and their families on the sudden passing of Barry. He will be greatly missed.”

The Cheatley family also penned a heartfelt statement detailing just how important the Kangaroos were to him.

“Barry had an unending passion for the North Melbourne Football Club, an organisation which provided him with a life full of opportunity and community,” a statement written by Barb, Simone, Guy, Lisa, Ebony, Will and Charlotte said.

“More than just a football club to Barry, Arden Street was the heart of his career, and laid the foundations for so many of his incredible lifelong friendships and relationships.

“Across his time with the club (both on and off the field) he was inspired and supported, and in return was a source of inspiration and support for his teammates and colleagues.

“Barry’s connection with the club was true, with that love and passion passed down to his family, who stand hearts to hearts remembering him today and always.”