IN 2010, Noel McMahen and Karen Jackson sat down to do an interview on the Marngrook Footy Show.  The subject of the interview was Karen’s late father - and Noel’s former teammate - Eddie Jackson.

As Eddie was one of the Melbourne Football Club’s ‘Heroes’, and is a treasured part of our heritage, we are extremely proud to be able to bring this interview to you during the AFL’s Indigenous Round, and thank Jay Estorninho of the Marngrook Footy Show for making the vision available.

Eddie Jackson was on the bench in Melbourne’s 1948 Grand Final side - both the first outing against Essendon and replay that led to the Demons’ premiership triumph - and through his 84 games between 1947 and 1952, thrilled with his agility and pace.

 As McMahen said of Jackson years later, ‘He had amazing reflexes and he was a very accurate and telling kick.’  Tall but light in the No. 7 guernsey, Jackson copped his fair share of injuries, but was a determined contributor.  In fact, upon winning the Club Best and Fairest in 1952, Geoff McGivern paid tribute to Jackson, saying that ‘Eddie should be up here’, and vowing that he would not have won the honour without Jackson’s contribution.

There can be no higher accolade, bar possibly that given by McMahen - ‘he was a very good player, and a good little bloke’.  Upon leaving Melbourne, Jackson played country football, and won the Best and Fairest in the Bendigo League in 1954.  He went on to become a pioneering coach in country Victoria, combining this role with his employment as a linesman with the State Electricity Commission.  His sons later went on to play with The Pines Football Club in Frankston.