Feature Profiles
17 August, 2026
Wilson encounter with the legendary Jackson
BRIAN Wilson knocked off some decent players when he claimed the Brownlow Medal while playing for Melbourne in 1982.
BRIAN Wilson knocked off some decent players when he claimed the Brownlow Medal while playing for Melbourne in 1982.
Ross Glendinning was runner up, and Terry Wallace and Leigh Matthews shared third place for Hawthorn.
Wilson was mentored by Ron Barassi and Malcolm Blight, but as he told a half-time gathering at Inglewood on Saturday, the most memorable character he came across in his VFL days was Mark ‘Jacko’ Jackson.
Wilson started at Footscray, then transferred to North Melbourne before Barassi brought him to the Demons in 1982.
It was there that he encountered the eccentric and erratic Jackson, who was in his second season.
In the first internal practice match that Wilson and Jackson played, the whacky full-forward knocked out the Demons’ secular saint Robbie Flower.
It did not go down well with teammates or with Barassi, who dragged Jackson from the field and swore he would never play for Melbourne again.
Every time players entered the change rooms in the next week there was a putrid smell.
Wilson had seen Jacko poking about among the MCG’s resident pigeons but thought nothing of it until coach Barassi arrived for Thursday training.
The master coach opened his locker to find a dead pigeon hanging from a noose, with a sign attached reading “Barassi, you’re next.”
Somehow Jackson was forgiven and kicked 76 goals for the season, while Wilson snagged his unexpected Brownlow.
Wilson’s stories were a highlight of Inglewood’s 150th anniversary celebrations, which have seen key football figures including AFL CEO Andrew Dillon appearing at the club to address the Past Players Association and milestone events.
Read More: Loddon Shire