Mark Jackson
Melbourne, Geelong and St Kilda · “Jacko”
AFL career
82 games308 goals
- Debut
- R1 1981 v HAW28 Mar 1981
- Most recent
- R2 1986 v ESS5 Apr 1986
Stats
Bio
Recruited from South Fremantle, Mark Jackson arrived at Richmond in 1980 but was unable to crack the senior lineup, eventually moving to Melbourne to launch a VFL career that became one of the most colourful in league history. A powerful full-forward with a deadly accurate set shot and strong hands, Jackson’s genuine footballing talent was frequently overshadowed by his eccentric on-field behaviour, which included performing handstands and engaging in psychological warfare with opponents. Despite the "Jacko" sideshow often distracting from his output, he was a prolific scorer who achieved the rare feat of topping the goalkicking at all three of his senior clubs—Melbourne, St Kilda, and Geelong. His volatile temperament and poor disciplinary record ultimately forced him into a journeyman existence, and after a productive but turbulent partnership with Gary Ablett Snr at Geelong, he was delisted in 1986, leaving the game as a cult figure whose average of nearly four goals a game rivalled the best of his era.
Profile
- Full name
- Mark A. Jackson
- Born
- 30 Aug 1959 (age 67y 52d)
- Height
- 192 cm
- Weight
- 94 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionRecruited from South Fremantle, Mark Jackson arrived at Richmond in 1980 but was unable to crack the senior lineup, eventually moving to Melbourne to launch a VFL career that became one of the most colourful in league history. A powerful full-forward with a deadly accurate set shot and strong hands, Jackson’s genuine footballing talent was frequently overshadowed by his eccentric on-field behaviour, which included performing handstands and engaging in psychological warfare with opponents. Despite the "Jacko" sideshow often distracting from his output, he was a prolific scorer who achieved the rare feat of topping the goalkicking at all three of his senior clubs—Melbourne, St Kilda, and Geelong. His volatile temperament and poor disciplinary record ultimately forced him into a journeyman existence, and after a productive but turbulent partnership with Gary Ablett Snr at Geelong, he was delisted in 1986, leaving the game as a cult figure whose average of nearly four goals a game rivalled the best of his era.