The father of AFL Brownlow Medal winner Jimmy Bartel has pleaded with his son to resolve a family dispute that has kept them apart for more than two years.

Terry Bartel has not seen his son or daughters Olivia and Emma since a weekend before Jimmy's 21st birthday following an accusation he was an aggressive heavy drinker.

Bartel Jr repeated the allegation in an interview in June.

Mr Bartel and wife Dianne Bennett split when their son, the toast of the football world on Tuesday, was just a year old.

On Tuesday, Mr Bartel Sr, a car salesman in the NSW border town of Albury, told the Herald Sun he wanted to be reunited with his children.

"It's my greatest wish," he said.

"Even to this minute, and for the rest of my life, my only dream is that I see all my children again."

Mr Bartel said he cried for hours after his son's win on Monday night.

He denied the allegation he was an aggressive drunk, saying he had not visited a pub for "seven or eight years", and admitted suffering a "mini stroke" and taking anti-depression tablets.

Mr Bartel said he was unsure if he would have the courage to contact his son and congratulate him for the Brownlow win, the highest individual honour in AFL football, in the lead-up to Saturday's grand final.

"I don't want to distract him or cause any trouble," he said.

"All I can do is say that I've been here for him from the day he was born, and I'll be here for him until the day I die."

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