Jones is a famous name in Echuca. Jack’s sons John, who owns the Odd Captain Cafe and Bar, and Tony were gun country footballers in their day.
In another special moment, eight of Jack’s great-grandchildren got to run on to the MCG with the players before the game.
Tony’s daughter Sarah (Jones, of Fox Footy fame) witnessed the Johns children running on to the ground, while John’s daughter Stephanie Sage watched the game from home in Echuca with her two children.
John has been to every Anzac Day game since its inception in 1995 and he was there again yesterday as the Bombers paid tribute to his father, who passed away in 2020.
Jack served with the 24th Infantry Battalion in Papua New Guinea in World War II and played for Essendon after the war.
He wore the number 24 during his career to honour his friends in the army, and this year Essendon’s Anzac Day guernsey featured the number 24 on the front and 24 poppies in the sash.
John said it was a special moment to be at the game with all the tributes to his father, adding that the club played such an important part of his life.
“The footy club was really a big part of his life. He played after coming back from the war,” John said.
“That was dad’s life, the footy club. They have been very good to him.”
He said the Anzac Day match was a special day that transcended footy and provided an opportunity for people to learn more about what the day really meant.
“To us it’s a special day. He went to war and he came home from war, and I think it’s so good that people know more about Anzac Day,” John said.
“I think the most important part is Anzac Day itself. I think these games have helped people concentrate more on Anzac Day, rather than the actual footy.
“The footy club is important, but the day is such a great day. Win, lose or draw, I had a good time yesterday. You feel proud.
“It was great he played for the footy club, he had a lot of success, but Anzac Day brings a bit of importance.
“I think people know more about Anzac Day now because of that footy match.”
John said his father didn’t talk about the war, but once the Anzac Day match started he would begin to open up about some of his experiences.
Each year Jack would take Essendon players to visit the Shrine of Remembrance and talk about his past.
Jack was an Essendon Hall of Famer who played 175 games for the Bombers. He also holds the club record for the most consecutive games played, with 133.
He also achieved a rare feat, playing in seven grand finals in six years, winning three of them.
His legacy at the club lives on, with the club’s junior academy and a cafe at its training facility named in his honour.
There is a strong Essendon connection with Echuca. Not only is the Jones family from here, but Essendon chief executive officer Xavier Campbell grew up in Echuca too.
That connection will be showcased this weekend with Echuca one of the stops on the Essendon Country Tour.
Legendary coach Kevin Sheedy will come to The Border Inn Hotel with Campbell, former players and four of the club’s 16 premiership trophies.
The tour is part of the club’s celebrations to mark its 150th anniversary.
