Australian Football

After a sparkling junior career Nhill youngster Jason McCartney joined Collingwood but in 38 AFL games (for 28 goals) from 1991 to 1994 it would probably be fair to suggest that he failed fully to justify his reputation. He crossed to Adelaide in 1996 where after a sound start his form fell away and he dropped down the pecking order. After 37 games and 20 goals in three seasons with the Crows he transferred to the North Melbourne, and finally came in to his own.

Playing mainly at centre half back he used his sizeable (191cm, 95kg) frame to good effect, both aerially and on the ground. If it seemed as though he was lacking in pace at times he compensated by a mixture of good anticipation and steely resolve and became a tower of strength for North.

He suffered some misfortune though. In 1998 he played in a losing grand final against former club Adelaide and when the Kangas made amends a year later by downing Carlton in the ‘big one’ he was forced to watch from the sidelines having incurred a suspension after the previous week’s preliminary final against Brisbane.

On 12th October 2002 Jason McCartney was a victim of a terrorist bombing attack in Bali and suffered burns to fifty per cent of his body. Making light of his won pain he helped other survivors until medical assistance was forthcoming. During surgery improve his condition he almost died, but eventually made a miraculous recovery enabling him to resume playing football at the highest level. When he finally retired in 2003 he had registered 107 games and 15 goals with the Kangaroos, plus an unspecified number with the club’s VFL affiliate North Melbourne. Following the events in Bali, however, his name will be synonymous with much more important matters than a mere ball game.

Author - John Devaney