Peter Barry (footballer)

Peter Barry (19 October 1937 – 7 June 2005) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Barry was a key position player, who joined Carlton from Bayswater. He broke into the seniors during the second half of the 1958 VFL season and the following year played 19 of a possible 20 games.^[1] After playing the opening two rounds in 1960, Barry struggled with illness and didn't made any more appearances that year.

He played mostly as a full-back and appeared in that position for Carlton in their 1962 finals campaign, for which he is most remembered.^[2] With just seconds remaining in the preliminary final replay against Geelong, Carlton were holding onto a five point lead as the ball was kicked in the direction of Barry and his opponent, full-forward Doug Wade. The mark was taken by Wade, just 30 metres out and directly in front of goals, but instead of taking what would have been a shot after the siren to win the game, umpire Jack Irving awarded Barry a free-kick. It was later explained that Irving had seen Wade holding Barry's shorts during the marking contest.^[3]

In 1964, having played only couple of reserves games, Barry was granted a clearance to Port Melbourne.^[4]