Place of birth Ascot Vale Name Jack Jones Years Club | Height/Weight 185 cm, 85 kg Original team(s) Ascot Vale CYMS | |
Date of birth (1924-11-07) 7 November 1924 (age 91) Debut Rd. 1 1946, Essendon
v. Footscray, at Western Oval Role Australian rules footballer | ||
Jack Jones (born 7 November 1924) is a former Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League (VFL), who played for the Essendon Football Club.
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Early life
Born in Ascot Vale, 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.
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, 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.
Post football
After leaving Essendon, Jones became captain-coach of 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 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.