Jack Jones (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Jack Jones is a former Australian rules football
er in the Victorian Football League
(VFL), who played for the Essendon Football Club
.
, a suburb deep in the Bomber heartland, he was the second youngest of six children. He saw his first game at Windy Hill
in 1933 aged eight, the day Dick Reynolds
debuted.
Jones served with the 24th Infantry Battalion
in New Guinea and Bougainville, before returning home. On his return, Jones was asked to train with Essendon team, becoming a regular player for the Bombers.
Between 1946 and 1952, Jones played in 133 consecutive games, a feat no Essendon player has bettered. He also never played in the Seconds, missing senior games only through injury.
He played during one of the club's golden eras alongside champions like Reynolds
, Coleman and Hutchison. He was a reserve in the 1946 premiership team
and starred on the half-forward flank in the 1949 premiership team
. He was also in that spot in the 1950 premiership win
. In all, he played in 18 finals games and seven Grand Finals.
He was vice-captain of the State side against a Country team in 1951, and won Essendon's best utility player award in 1946, 1947, 1949 and 1954 and the best clubman award in 1953.
from 1955 to 1959 and then coached Kergundah in 1960. He later umpired in the Albury & District League for two years.
He has maintained a long association with Essendon over the years, running tours at Windy Hill
and hosting sponsors and guests on match day as well as speaking to players and providing inspiration.
In 2010, Essendon
announced the 'Jack Jones Academy', a development program for all first, second and third year players.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL), who played for the Essendon Football Club
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
.
Early life
Born in Ascot ValeAscot Vale, Victoria
Ascot Vale is a suburb 7 km north-west of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Moonee Valley. At the 2006 Census, Ascot Vale had a population of 12,398....
, a suburb deep in the Bomber heartland, he was the second youngest of six children. He saw his first game at Windy Hill
Windy Hill, Essendon
Windy Hill is an Australian rules football ground located in Essendon, a northwestern suburb of the Melbourne metropolitan area....
in 1933 aged eight, the day Dick Reynolds
Dick Reynolds
Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction....
debuted.
Jones served with the 24th Infantry Battalion
24th Battalion (Australia)
The 24th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Originally raised in 1915 for service during World War I as part of the 1st Australian Imperial Force, it was attached to the 6th Brigade, 2nd Division and served during the Gallipoli campaign and in the trenches of the Western...
in New Guinea and Bougainville, before returning home. On his return, Jones was asked to train with Essendon team, becoming a regular player for the Bombers.
Career
He began his career at Essendon in 1946 wearing the number 24 jumper, and went on to play 175 games and kick 156 goals. Jones could be dangerous on a half-forward flank as well as taking a fair share of the ruck work. He used his speed to the full by continually breaking into the open. He also thrilled fans with his high-marking and was a good long kick, and was considered one of the fastest big men in the game.Between 1946 and 1952, Jones played in 133 consecutive games, a feat no Essendon player has bettered. He also never played in the Seconds, missing senior games only through injury.
He played during one of the club's golden eras alongside champions like Reynolds
Dick Reynolds
Richard Sylvannus 'Dick' Reynolds was an Australian rules footballer and coach who represented Essendon and Victoria with great distinction....
, Coleman and Hutchison. He was a reserve in the 1946 premiership team
1946 VFL Grand Final
The 1946 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Essendon Football Club and Melbourne Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 5 October 1946. It was the 50th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the premiers for...
and starred on the half-forward flank in the 1949 premiership team
1949 VFL Grand Final
The 1949 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Carlton Football Club and Essendon Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 24 September 1949. It was the 53rd annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the premiers for...
. He was also in that spot in the 1950 premiership win
1950 VFL Grand Final
The 1950 VFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the Essendon Football Club and North Melbourne Football Club, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 23 September 1950. It was the 54th annual Grand Final of the Victorian Football League, staged to determine the...
. In all, he played in 18 finals games and seven Grand Finals.
He was vice-captain of the State side against a Country team in 1951, and won Essendon's best utility player award in 1946, 1947, 1949 and 1954 and the best clubman award in 1953.
Post football
After leaving Essendon, Jones became captain-coach of AlburyAlbury Football Club
The Albury Football Club are an Australian rules football club which compete in the Ovens & Murray Football League.The club is based in Albury, New South Wales.Two Brownlow Medallists, Haydn Bunton senior and Denis Ryan, both started their career at Albury....
from 1955 to 1959 and then coached Kergundah in 1960. He later umpired in the Albury & District League for two years.
He has maintained a long association with Essendon over the years, running tours at Windy Hill
Windy Hill, Essendon
Windy Hill is an Australian rules football ground located in Essendon, a northwestern suburb of the Melbourne metropolitan area....
and hosting sponsors and guests on match day as well as speaking to players and providing inspiration.
In 2010, Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
announced the 'Jack Jones Academy', a development program for all first, second and third year players.