Jason McCartney
Encyclopedia
Jason McCartney is a former Australian rules football
er, 2002 Bali bombing
survivor and coach of the AIS
/AFL Academy. On 19 Oct 2010 the Fremantle Dockers announced they have recruited former AFL player Jason McCartney as a development coach for the next three years.
amid a huge reputation from his junior football days. He could play at either end of the ground as a key position
forward or backman. After McCartney left the Magpies after four seasons from 1991–1994, he switched to Adelaide, who he had a good debut season with in 1995. He missed out most of the year due to the strength of the team in 1997, therefore missing the Crows' first premiership triumph. So he moved to North Melbourne
, where he played in the 1998 losing Grand Final
against the Crows. In 1999 he once again had the opportunity to play in a Grand Final
, but was suspended during the preliminary final against Brisbane saying that it was the worst day of his life, and went on to miss the Roos' premiership triumph that year. He then played in the team that made a losing preliminary final in 2000, which was the last finals match he played, and could have been considered unlucky, considering circumstances, to have never played in a premiership. In 2002 he had a poor season after being forced to fill the key forward role vacated by champion Wayne Carey
who did not compete in the 2002 season following a sex scandal with Anthony Stevens
' wife.
near the Sari Club
. He was drinking at a nearby pub called Paddy's Bar when the bomb exploded, causing McCartney and his companion, fellow AFL footballer Mick Martyn, to suffer the impact of the blast. Martyn escaped with minor burns, while McCartney suffered severe second degree burns to over 50% of his body.
McCartney initially thought his burns were minor and set about saving those around him instead of worrying about himself. He considered others to be in more pain than he was, and had to be taken on a special chartered flight back to Melbourne along with other victims. When he arrived the injuries turned out to be severe and McCartney almost died under the knife.
What followed was a long rehabilitation process. McCartney stated that his objectives were to get married to his fiance Nerissa as planned, and also to return to AFL
football. The latter was seen as an almost impossible task.
on merit. Following an early season thigh strain, McCartney eventually played seven games with the Kangaroos' then-VFL
affiliate Port Melbourne
before gaining senior selection.
On 6 June 2003, McCartney returned to the AFL
. Playing for the Kangaroos
against Richmond
, McCartney was heavily bandaged, wore a long-sleeved top and had to wear protective gloves. McCartney wore the numbers "88" and "202" on his guernsey – 88 representing the number of Australians who died in the Bali bombing, and 202 the total number of deaths.
McCartney had the modest statistics of 3 kicks, 1 mark and 1 goal, 1 behind. He booted a goal early in the final quarter, but in a real fairytale, with the Kangaroos trailing by less than a goal late in the game, McCartney dished off the ball to Leigh Harding
, who scored the goal which put the Kangaroos three points in front with seconds remaining.
In a real twist to the night, after the game McCartney announced his retirement from AFL
football. The toll taken from the severe burns, coupled with his poor career form preceding the bombings, meant that it is doubtful he would have survived with the rigours of the sport. But it was a lovely note to go out on, with the memorable closing moments of the game and the sheer courage of McCartney's return making it one of the most inspirational sports-related stories.
The image of McCartney being chaired off the ground after the game is captured in Jamie Cooper's painting the Game That Made Australia, commissioned by the AFL in 2008 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the sport.
has been awarded to the player judged most courageous on field in games between Collingwood
and North Melbourne
.
Following his retirement, McCartney wrote After Bali, which recounted his ordeal. He is also a prominent motivational speaker on the public speaking circuit around Australia.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er, 2002 Bali bombing
2002 Bali bombing
The 2002 Bali bombings occurred on 12 October 2002 in the tourist district of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali. The attack was claimed as the deadliest act of terrorism in the history of Indonesia according to the current police general, killing 202 people,...
survivor and coach of the AIS
Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
/AFL Academy. On 19 Oct 2010 the Fremantle Dockers announced they have recruited former AFL player Jason McCartney as a development coach for the next three years.
AFL career
McCartney began his career at the Collingwood Football ClubCollingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
amid a huge reputation from his junior football days. He could play at either end of the ground as a key position
Key position
In the sport of Australian rules football, a "key position" refers to positions on the ground that are considered vital to the structure of a team.Key position players make up what is known as the "spine" of a team...
forward or backman. After McCartney left the Magpies after four seasons from 1991–1994, he switched to Adelaide, who he had a good debut season with in 1995. He missed out most of the year due to the strength of the team in 1997, therefore missing the Crows' first premiership triumph. So he moved to North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
, where he played in the 1998 losing Grand Final
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an annual Australian rules football match, traditionally held on the final Saturday in September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia to determine the Australian Football League premiership champions for that year...
against the Crows. In 1999 he once again had the opportunity to play in a Grand Final
AFL Grand Final
The AFL Grand Final is an annual Australian rules football match, traditionally held on the final Saturday in September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia to determine the Australian Football League premiership champions for that year...
, but was suspended during the preliminary final against Brisbane saying that it was the worst day of his life, and went on to miss the Roos' premiership triumph that year. He then played in the team that made a losing preliminary final in 2000, which was the last finals match he played, and could have been considered unlucky, considering circumstances, to have never played in a premiership. In 2002 he had a poor season after being forced to fill the key forward role vacated by champion Wayne Carey
Wayne Carey
Wayne Carey is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the North Melbourne and Adelaide Football Clubs in the Australian Football League ....
who did not compete in the 2002 season following a sex scandal with Anthony Stevens
Anthony Stevens
Anthony Stevens is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Kangaroos. He was named as ruck rover in the club's official 'Team of the Century'....
' wife.
Bali bombings
On 12 October 2002, McCartney was a victim of the Bali bombing2002 Bali bombing
The 2002 Bali bombings occurred on 12 October 2002 in the tourist district of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali. The attack was claimed as the deadliest act of terrorism in the history of Indonesia according to the current police general, killing 202 people,...
near the Sari Club
Sari Club
The Sari Club was a nightclub in Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia, which was at the center of the 2002 Bali bombing. It was a popular club for tourists, especially from Australia....
. He was drinking at a nearby pub called Paddy's Bar when the bomb exploded, causing McCartney and his companion, fellow AFL footballer Mick Martyn, to suffer the impact of the blast. Martyn escaped with minor burns, while McCartney suffered severe second degree burns to over 50% of his body.
McCartney initially thought his burns were minor and set about saving those around him instead of worrying about himself. He considered others to be in more pain than he was, and had to be taken on a special chartered flight back to Melbourne along with other victims. When he arrived the injuries turned out to be severe and McCartney almost died under the knife.
What followed was a long rehabilitation process. McCartney stated that his objectives were to get married to his fiance Nerissa as planned, and also to return to AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
football. The latter was seen as an almost impossible task.
Return to AFL football
He married Nerissa Vanderheyden on 14 December, just 63 days after the bombings. Throughout 2003, McCartney rehabilitated with the intention of regaining his place in the KangaroosNorth Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
on merit. Following an early season thigh strain, McCartney eventually played seven games with the Kangaroos' then-VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
affiliate Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne Football Club
The Port Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Borough, is an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Port Melbourne and is currently playing in the Victorian Football League ....
before gaining senior selection.
On 6 June 2003, McCartney returned to the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
. Playing for the Kangaroos
Kangaroos Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
against Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
, McCartney was heavily bandaged, wore a long-sleeved top and had to wear protective gloves. McCartney wore the numbers "88" and "202" on his guernsey – 88 representing the number of Australians who died in the Bali bombing, and 202 the total number of deaths.
McCartney had the modest statistics of 3 kicks, 1 mark and 1 goal, 1 behind. He booted a goal early in the final quarter, but in a real fairytale, with the Kangaroos trailing by less than a goal late in the game, McCartney dished off the ball to Leigh Harding
Leigh Harding
Leigh Harding is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Originally from Teesdale, Victoria,a small town near Bannockburn, Victoria Harding then played under-18 football with the Geelong Falcons before he moved to play with Geelong in the VFL.Selected in the 2000 rookie...
, who scored the goal which put the Kangaroos three points in front with seconds remaining.
In a real twist to the night, after the game McCartney announced his retirement from AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
football. The toll taken from the severe burns, coupled with his poor career form preceding the bombings, meant that it is doubtful he would have survived with the rigours of the sport. But it was a lovely note to go out on, with the memorable closing moments of the game and the sheer courage of McCartney's return making it one of the most inspirational sports-related stories.
The image of McCartney being chaired off the ground after the game is captured in Jamie Cooper's painting the Game That Made Australia, commissioned by the AFL in 2008 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the sport.
Post-retirement
As of 2003, the Jason McCartney MedalJason McCartney Medal
The Jason McCartney Medal is a perpetual medal honouring Bali bombing survivor and former Australian Rules Football star Jason McCartney.Since 2003 the Jason McCartney Medal has been presented to the player voted the most courageous performer during clashes between the North Melbourne and...
has been awarded to the player judged most courageous on field in games between Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
.
Following his retirement, McCartney wrote After Bali, which recounted his ordeal. He is also a prominent motivational speaker on the public speaking circuit around Australia.