| Alex Jesaulenko |
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EARLY LIFE His father was Ukranian and mother Russia n. The family emigrated to Canberra, Australia in 1949 . Initially the young Jesaulenko played Soccer , then Rugby ; not playing Australian rules until he was 14 years old. CARLTON CAREER Beginning in 1967, he played 256 games and kicked 424 goals with the club. A spectacular and popular player of the 1970s, Jesaulenko was renowned for his high marking and goal kicking. He kicked 115 goals in 1970 and played in the famous Grand Final that year where Carlton came from behind to win the premiership against Collingwood . Popularly known as "Jezza", he was the playing coach of the 1979 Carlton premiership team, perhaps his finest moment in football. "Jezza" was the last playing coach in the VFL/AFL to win a premiership. He was All-Australian in 1969 and 1972, and played in the 1968, 1970, 1972 and 1979 premierships with Carlton . He is best remembered for taking a spectacular mark in the 1970 Grand Final against Collingwood , where the famous commentary has Mike Williamson shouting "Jesaulenko, you beauty!". He had pay disputes with the club in 1977 and left Carlton at the end of 1979 after president George Harris was removed. Mid-1989 he returned to again coach Carlton until the end of 1990. ST KILDA CAREER St Kilda went to great lengths to sign him as a player-coach. He played 23 games and kicked 20 goals for the Saints in 1980-1981, scoring a draw and a win in his first two games with the club. He stayed on for one more season as St Kilda coach. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall Of Fame in 1996. POST FOOTBALL Today works with VISY Recycling in Melbourne . |
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