JACK LONG

Jack started playing league football with Saints in 1964/65 under Coach Billy Roe, at a late age by todays standards, being brought about by limited opportunities, having been brought up on Melville Island.

Very limited transport was available to come to Darwin, however, when Jack got the opportunity he would pay his own fare to Darwin to play. A few years later when Jack and his family moved to Darwin he became a regular playing in nine grand finals and the winning 1965/66, 1966/67 and 1971/72 premierships. Being a rugged utility, at home anywhere on the field, Jack missed very few games through injury.

Jack successfully represented the NT. against Queensland in 1974 and also represented the N.T.F.L. in 1969 in North Australia Carnival in Mt. Isa Queensland, which the N.T.F.L. won the final. Jack was appointed club captain and coach in 1974 but due to cyclone Tracy his ambition on coaching a successful Saints premiership team was short lived. All seven of Jacks sons were regular players, with Michael playing over 150 games with A.F.L. club Essendon. All seven of Jacks sons played league football in the same side in the 1988/89 Preliminary Final

Awarded life membership of St Marys in 1973 and N.T.F.L. life membership in 1986