Carlton’s dual premiership player Syd Jackson will be inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame tonight.
The WA Football Hall of Fame was established in 2002 by the West Australian Football Commission to honour players, coaches, umpires, administrators and media representatives who have made a significant contribution to the game in the state.
Jackson, who was recruited to the Blues from East Perth, played 136 games for Carlton between 1969 and 1976. He made his debut in Round 1, 1969 against St Kilda and it wasn’t long until his silky skills, lightning pace and hard edge saw him become a Carlton fan favourite.
Although he ended up playing his senior footy in Victoria, it took a lot of convincing to get Jackson to leave WA, having grown up in Roelands Native Mission near Bunbury.
At the time, he was touted as one of the most attacking centremen in the game, so it’s no wonder WA put up a fight – they didn’t want to lose one of their rising stars to the bright lights of Melbourne.
Jackson, who was inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame in 2006, was at Ikon Park only last week to help the Blues launch their first Reconciliation Action Plan – an historic day for Carlton.
The Hall of Fame event, held at the State Reception Centre at Kings Park, will also see one member elevated to ‘Legend’ status, while other inductees alongside Jackson include: Con Regan, Kevin Clune, Stan Nowotny, Tom Grljusich, John Wynee, Paul Hasleby and Oliver Drake Brockman.
Since the WA Hall of Fame’s inauguration, 153 individuals across four eras have been inducted.
