Respected Hawthorn defender Tom Barrass gushes over family in beautiful post-match moment

Respect for veteran AFL defender Tom Barrass has reached new levels, with his status as one of footy’s good guys emphatically confirmed on Thursday night.

Speaking to Channel 7 after Hawthorn’s thrilling win over Sydney, the 30-year-old was typically humble, selfless, and insightful following the pulsating match at the MCG.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Tom Barrass putting family first during AFL break

But it was when he was asked about his team’s looming break (Hawthorn have a bye next week and won’t be seen again in action until their Easter Monday clash on April 6), that he instantly melted hearts.

Gun interviewer Hamish McLachlan asked Barrass how he would spend the next 18 days and that’s when Barrass became a little emotional.

Asked if he was a golfer, Barrass said, “Not a very good one.”

“Guitarist?” probed McLachlan.

“I’m a bit of a guitarist, yeah, but primarily the biggest love in my life by far is my family,” Barrass said.

“I’ve got two beautiful young boys and a beautiful wife, and they’re just becoming kids, you know?

“There’s been a few hard yards.”

Barrass married fashion influencer Nadia Rosa early last year and together they share two boys.

“They’re three and four (years old),” Barrass said, to wich McLachlan responded, “great ages”.

“Benson and Billy, and they’re hurricanes,” Barrass continued, his voice tinged with emotion.

“They’re both unique individual kids, so I really look forward to just spending a bit of time with my family and soaking up those beautiful days ...

“So many of my role models and so many people that I look up to have told me that, you know, they’re so short, so you’ve really got to cherish them ...

“So that’s what I’m looking forward to most.”

AFL great Nick Riewoldt, himself a father of three boys, agreed: “It does fly by,” he said.

Barrass also impressed when asked specifically about Hawthorn and their premiership aspirations.

“I think ultimately everyone wants to win the flag, right?” the 2018 West Coast premiership player said.

“Every team at the start of the year sits down and says, right, we want to win the flag. But the way to actually do that isn’t by trying to win the flag. It’s by creating a really great environment where blokes feel comfortable.

“They love coming to work. Their self interest determines their improvement, and so they sort of drive each other to all get better.

“And like I said, the organisation (Hawthorn) does a great job of maintaining that environment. And you know, I’m really happy to be a part of it, and it’s given me a new lease on my football life.“