Jacana Football Club

Jacana Football Club is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Essendon District Football League in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

The Jacana Football Club was formed in 1962, beginning with an Under 15s team, then by 1965 the club fielded teams in every age group. The Jacana Pavillion was then opened on the 9th July, 1966, by the mayor councillor J.A. Culpin.

The original Jacana jumper was purple with a yellow JFC monogram. The club then went from the monogram to a gold V which was used up to 2006. In 2007 the club reverted back to original jumper.

The senior team won the club’s first senior Premiership in 1967, and it wasn't until 1980 that the second senior flag followed. The last premiership won was in 2000, whilst playing in the Riddell District Football Leauge, when Jacana 14.12 (96) defeated the more fancied Wallan 11.11 (77).

Jacana has competed in various competitions including the Y.C.W competition, the Northern Metropolitan Football League and the Preston and District Junior Football League.

From 1986, Jacana participated in the Riddell District Football League. Many people believe this was the best competition in which the club competed, playing against quality teams such as Sunbury, Gisborne, Melton and Craigieburn.

In the early 1990’s, Jacana’s senior body became the Broadmeadows United Football Club, and their jumper changed to purple with a yellow vee. Then in 1997 the club went back to the name of Jacana Football Club, whilst keeping the purple and yellow vee jumper up until the end of 2006.

After finishing runners up to Gisborne in the 1997 Grand Final, three years later Jacana won their third senior Premiership in 2000 under Paul Houston, defeating the more fancied Craigieburn and Wallan football clubs in the preliminary and grand finals respectively. This was the club's final year of competing in the Riddell District Football League (RDFL).

In 2001, Jacana joined the Essendon District Football League, where they continue to play today. Making finals in 2001, and missing finals on percentage in 2002. The junior teams are now called the Jaguars and their jumpers are purple and yellow with a jaguar monogram, and are known as the dynamic and lively Jacana Jaguars.

The junior teams have also been very successful, winning Premierships in every age group. Most recently, winning the 2005 Under 16 Grand Final in the Essendon District Football League, and Preliminary Finalists in 2006.

Over the years The Jacana Football Club has produced many champion AFL players including:

• AFL team of the century member Bruce Doull

• Brownlow Medal winner Scott Wynd

• Three time Brisbane Lions Premiership player Chris Johnson.

ee also

* Essendon District Football League
* Australian Rules Football

External links

* http://www.jacanafc.com.au