Peter Jones

Career : 1966 - 1979
Debut : Round 16, 1966 vs Melbourne, aged 19 years, 297 days
Carlton Player No. 790
Games : 249
Goals : 284
Last Game : Grand Final, 1979 vs Collingwood, aged 32 years, 344 days
Guernsey No. 28
Height : 198 cm (6 ft. 6 in.)
Weight : 109 kgs (17 stone, 2 lbs.)
DOB : October 20, 1946
Premiership Player 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979
Best and Fairest 1973
Victorian Representative 1977
Senior Coach 1980
Carlton Hall of Fame (1988)
Carlton Legend (2025)

Part actor, part comedian and an all-round quality footballer, Peter 'Percy' Jones stands as one of the truly unique characters in the long history of the Carlton Football Club. A four-time Premiership player, his unbounded enthusiasm on the field - and his legendary exploits off it - endeared the lanky Tasmanian to generations of Blues' fans after he arrived from North Hobart in 1966 as a gangly 20 year-old. A serious car accident soon after his arrival injured both of his legs, but he recovered in time to play the last three games of the year, and showed enough for Carlton’s new coach Ron Barassi to persist with him.

By 1968 'Percy' had settled into the senior team as understudy to John Nicholls in a forward pocket, where his strong marking and accurate kicking was a valuable to team morale as his mad-cap antics in the dressing room. Out on the field, his effusive joy at every Carlton goal - whether it was kicked by himself or a team-mate - began to create something of a rat-bag persona that bewildered supporters at first, but his Chaplinesque reaction whenever a free kick was awarded against him was always hilarious. All of this was just a sideshow however, because within four years Percy had proven himself a real asset in both the 1968 and 1970 Carlton Premiership teams, and from then on the Jones legend unfolded.

In August 1971 at the Junction Oval in St Kilda, Carlton were playing Fitzroy in a game crucial to the Blues' finals chances. The match started in sunshine, but just after the half-time break a thick fog rolled over the ground from nearby Port Phillip Bay. It was so dense that players only a metre or so apart couldn't see each other, while the time-keepers caught only glimpses of the players and had to rely on the emergency umpire to relay the occasional scores. Late in the last quarter, the Blues were deep in trouble on the scoreboard, when the ball came bouncing past Percy, who had dropped back into defence. 'There it is!' he shouted - and a Fitzroy opponent pounced on the ball and goaled. Carlton lost an extraordinary game, and missed that year's finals by two points!

Forgiveness didn't take long however, because Percy atoned with a dominant display against a powerhouse Richmond in the 1972 Grand Final. The Tigers went in as hot favourites after drawing with, then beating Carlton in the second Semi Final. The Blues then had to fight through a tight Preliminary Final against St Kilda, while Richmond had a week off. John Nicholls had replaced Barassi as Carlton's coach and decided on a bold strategy in the decider. He made eight positional changes, including placing himself at full-forward and handing Percy the daunting task of single-handedly taking on the Tigers’ ruck division. Then he told the Blues to attack at all times, and to ignore the inevitable defensive errors and turnovers.

The plan and the switches worked brilliantly, and Carlton won by 27 points in the highest-scoring Grand Final of them all. Jones was superb all afternoon, rucking unchanged to dominate the Tigers' big men, while Nicholls himself bagged six goals. If there had been a Norm Smith medal available that day, Percy would surely have been a contender. Boosted by that performance, and on top of his game, Jones was consistently good throughout 1973 and deservedly won the Blues' Best & Fairest award. On the field, his exuberance was at its height. The Carlton faithful loved his antics, while he drove the opposition to distraction.

On one famous occasion, he played on after a mark in the goal square. But as he tried to drop the ball on to his boot, he missed - and kicked the goal post! On another, he lit a firecracker in the Carlton Social Club while Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser was watching a game, and created mayhem. Late in his career, he was struggling to keep up in a pre-season training run when a tram appeared, so Percy jumped on board to ease his aching legs. He might have gotten away with it, too - except that Carlton's fitness adviser at the time was standing nearby when Percy hopped off!

Jones' career culminated with the 1979 Premiership. By then aged almost 33 and somewhat in the shadow of Mike Fitzpatrick, Jones responded to his captain-coach Alex Jesaulenko, who challenged the big bloke to show his doubters that he wasn't a spent force. Percy gave his all that day; more than holding his own in the ruck as the Blues knocked over Collingwood by five points, thanks some last-gasp brilliance by utility Wayne Harmes.

In the ructions that split Carlton over the summer of 1980, Jesaulenko resigned when George Harris lost the Presidency to Ian Rice, and Percy retired as a player to take over as senior coach. Unfortunately, although the Blues playing list was as strong as any in the VFL, Jones struggled to connect with his former team-mates. Carlton made the finals, only to lose twice in a row and bow out. In one of those games, against Richmond, Percy was leaving the field after the quarter-time break when he noticed sports psychologist Dr. Rudi Webster in the Tiger's huddle. Webster had spent 1979 at Carlton, but wasn't retained for 1980 and had joined the Tigers. Incensed at what he saw as betrayal, Perce let fly verbally at Webster. Richmond coach Tony Jewell then stepped in, and suddenly fists were flying. Cooler heads prevailed before anything more than pride was damaged, but Carlton lost and Richmond went on to win the flag. Jones was then shifted sideways. David Parkin became the new coach, and Percy was appointed to the club committee, where he served loyally and cheerfully in various positions for many years.

In his thirteen seasons at Princes Park, Percy wore his number 28 guernsey in 249 games. He kicked 294 goals - and let the world know all about every one of them. An influential member of four Premiership teams, he was a Best & Fairest winner, a state representative, vice-captain, board member and club legend. And he did it all with a kind of mischievous glee.

After football, Percy ran a couple of inner-Melbourne hotels in partnership with his former team-mate Adrian 'Gags' Gallagher. The best known of these was the Blush & Stutter in Carlton. At one time he also stood for election to the Victorian Lower House, using the wonderful slogan; Point Percy at Parliament.

Adding to his long list of awards, Jones was elevated to legend status in the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame on July 5, 2013.

Milestones

50 Games: Round 1, 1970 vs Essendon
100 Games: Semi Final Replay, 1972 vs Richmond
150 Games: Round 8, 1975 vs Melbourne
200 Games: Round 11, 1977 vs Footscray
100 Goals: Round 22, 1970 vs Melbourne
200 Goals: Round 13, 1975 vs Collingwood

Career Highlights

1968 - Premiership Player
1970 - Premiership Player
1972 - Premiership Player
1973 - Robert Reynolds Memorial Trophy: Best & Fairest Award
1974 - 5th Best & Fairest
1975 - Perc Bentley Trophy: 3rd Best & Fairest
1977 - State Representative
1978 - Equal 8th Best & Fairest
1978 - B. J. Deacon Memorial Trophy: Best Clubman Award
1979 - Premiership Player

Percy Jones feature Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dFXSUU1-Ao&list=UUBDbvpbtwAIj2Lmz_7jJXKg&feature=c4-overview

Video

Links

Articles: The Magnificent Seven

Blueseum: Summary of Jones' playing career | Career Breakdown | Captains | Coaches

Gallery

Peter Jones
1965 - Peter Jones bottle top.
1970 - Peter Jones (Scanlens Mini Poster).
1974 - Peter 'Percy' Jones (Scanlens Footy Card).
1977 - Peter 'Percy' Jones (Scanlens Footy Card).
Peter Jones.jpg
Percy Jones hits outPercy Jones and Tony Jewell come to blows. 1980 Q/F
Percy & Maclure celebrate a goal.
Not your typical classic Percy pose!
Percy Jones after a game.
1980 Meeting at Festival Hall that sacked George Harris.
1982 GF Ashman and Percy Jones with the cup.
1982 Percy Jones Pub Ad.
Percy Jones Ad.
1980 Practice Match Percy Jones marks (23/03/80).
1980 Rd 1 Percy Jones looks worried???
1980 Rd 3 Percy Jones close to finish?
1980 Rd 1 Ashman & Percy Jones celebrate a big win over the Pies.
1980 Percy Jones quote on his selection 15/05/80.
1980 Percy Jones after Sydney game 05/06/80.
1980 Percy quote on retirement 19/06/80.
1980 Johnston quote on avoiding training 22/05/80.
1980 Percy Jones quote on getting sacked 25/09/80.
1978 Percy Jones quote on penalty for missing training.
1978 Champagne breakfast - Percy & Sheedy 30/03/78.
Percy celebrates another goal.
1978 Percy Jones & Gags Gallagher's Pub.
1978 Rd 17 - Percy Jones & Catoggio celebrate whilst Armstrong watches.
1978 Percy Jones Cartoon Sequence 07/09/78.
1978 Percy Jones Cartoon Sequence 07/09/78.
1978 1st Semi - Percy Jones.
1978 1st Semi - Percy Jones & Curly Austin after the game.
1977 Prac. Match Vs Coll - Percy Jones tackles Moore (24/03/77).
1977 Rd 1 - Percy Jones outmarks Blake.
1977 Rd 1 - Percy watches as Blake misses footy.
1977 Rd 3 - Maclure celebrates a goal with Percy.
1977 Rd 5 - Percy Jones outmarks Rantall.
1977 Rd 8 - Ian Thorogood & Percy Jones after Nth win.
1977 Rd 16 - Percy Jones tackles Goss.
1977 - Percy the test cricketer?? (04/08/77).
1977 Percy Jones quote (25/08/77).
1987 - Perc Jones and the Limo (15/04/87).
1980 Qual. Final - Percy squares off with Tony Jewell.
1980 Qual Final - Percy Vs Tony Jewell.
1979 GF - Percy Jones & Peter Moore in the ruck.
1980 - Percy & Jezza not together anymore (29/03/80).
1980 - Party at Percy's after Pies victory.
1980 - Percy Jone's favorite singer (12/04/80).
1980 - Percy Jones retires (21/06/80).
1980 Rd 17 - Percy Jones & Wayne Johnston watch a Blues goal.
1978 - Percy Jones & Peter Bedford at 200 Club (08/04/78).
1977 Practice Match - Percy Jones in ruck contest.
1977 Rd 4 - Percy Jones marks over Don Scott.
1977 Rd 11 - Percy Jones plays 200th game.
1977 - Blues players star in Big V clash with Tasmania (13/06/77).
1976 Rd 8 - Percy Jones contests for the footy.
1975 Rd 8 - Percy Jones plays his 150th game.
1981 - Percy Jones Advert.
1973 Rd 11 - Percy Jones & John O'Connell.
1979 GF - Jezza & Percy hold the cup aloft.
1979 - Percy Jones.
1979 GF - Percy Jones in ruck duel whilst Southby waits for the ball.
1978 Rd 8 - Percy Jones celebrates a goal.
1978 - Percy Jones Profile.
1978 - Percy Jones.
1978 1st Semi - Percy Jones.
1978 1st Semi - Jones & Doull happy about the report of Phil Carmen.
1980 Qual. Final - Blues Coach Percy Jones.
1976 - Percy Jones.
1976 - Percy Jones.
1980 Qual. Final - Percy Jones and Tony Jewell try and get physical.
1971 Rd 21 - Percy Jones and the fog Vs Fitzroy.
1968 Rd 14 - Peter Jones flies for a mark.Pic; Football Life.
1973 - Perce loves life (pg 2 of 2).Football Life.
1973 - Perce loves life (pg 1 of 2).Football Life.
1975 Rd 16 - Percy Jones & Greg Towns fly for the footy.
1974 Rd 16 - Umps talk to Percy Jones whilst Armstrong & Waite watch.Pic: Football Life.
1975 - Percy Jones.Pic: Football Life.
1975 Rd 17 - An ecstatic Percy Jones.Pic: Football Life.
1975 Rd 17 - A worried looking Percy Jones.Pic: Football Life.
1975 Rd 17 - An anxious looking Percy Jones.Pic: Football Life.
1975 Rd 17 - An affectionate Percy Jones with Swan McKay.Pic: Football Life.
1969 Rd 20 - Percy Jones competes with Don McKenzie.Source: Footy Week.
1971 Rd 22 - A happy Jezza & Jones after Crosswell has marked.Source: Footy Week.
1972 GF - Percy Jones gives the Blues first use of the ball.
1975 Qual. Final - Percy Jones after the match.
1972 GF - Robert Walls BOG.Source: Melbourne Observer.
1972 GF - Wonderful Jones boy.Source: Melbourne Observer.
1972 GF - The stars of the Grand Final.Source: Melbourne Observer.
1972 GF - Pats all round for Big Nick & Percy Jones.Source: Melbourne Observer.
1972 GF - Percy Jones knocks the ball to Trevor Keogh.Source: The Herald.
1972 GF - Percy Jones marks strongly.Source: The Sun.
1971 Rd 7 - Percy Jones in a ruck duel.Picture: Footy Week.
1971 - Meet Jones & Gallagher at Caltex (06/06/71).Source: Footy Week.
1971 Rd 7 - Percy Jones and the ump have a chat.Picture: Footy Week.
1971 - Percy Jones not having much luck with the umps.Source: Footy Week.
1970 Championship Game Vs Sturt - Percy Jones is reported.Picture: Footy Week.
1972 Rd 3 - Percy Jones in a contest.
1972 Rd 8 - Percy and his new 'hair-do'.
1972 Rd 8 - Kennedy & Jones wrap up Rod Galt.
1972 Rd 9 - Percy Jones in a contest.The Australian.
1972 Rd 10 - Percy Jones & Crosswell about to tackle Matthews.Inside Football.
1972 GF - Percy Jones spoils a marking attempt.Pic: Sporting Globe.
1972 GF - Percy Jones & the Holy Grail.Pic: Inside Football.
1973 Rd 3 - Big Nick 'had to drop' Jones.Inside Football.
1973 Rd 15 - Bryan Quirk clashes with Ditterich as Percy Jones waits.Sunday Telegraph.
1973 Rd 17 - Percy 'Jonah' Jones.Inside Football.
1973 - Percy Jones is clapped out (18/08/73).Inside Football.
1973 rd 13 - Percy Jones earns a free kick.Pic: Inside Football.
1988 Rd 4 - Blues fagged out.Inside Football.
1970 GF - Percy pours 'champers' over Goold.Pic: The Mighty Blues (Team of the Century).
1970 GF - Percy Jones fills up the cup.Pic: Out of the Blue.
Percy Jones Early Days At Carlton
1979 GF - A happy Percy & Jezza after the win.Pic: Inside Football.
1980 - A worried looking Percy Jones.Pic: Inside Football.
Various stages of Percy Jones.Pic: Inside Football.
1972 GF - Unlikely Heroes: Percy Jones.Pic: Football Record.
Percy Jones in action.Pic: Football Record.
Percy Jones.
1979 GF - Jezza & Percy Jones embrace after the game.
1983 - Carlton' Committee.Pic: Blues News.
1978 Rd 22 - Ashman gathers as Jones protects.
Percy Jones.
1999 GF - Why the Blues will win.
1969 Rd 2 - The day the Blues went on a rampage.
1979 GF - Jezza hugs Percy Jones with Austin close by.
1984 - Percy on Fitzy's free feeds.
1973 2nd Semi - Percy Jones in a marking contest.
1970 GF - Football Record Cover.
1972 2nd Semi Replay - Peter Jones 100th game.
1972 Prelim - Southby & Jones in a marking contest.
1978 Rd 20 - Percy celebrates a goal as Jezza casually strolls by.
1979 2nd Semi - Jezza & Jones equal record.
1980 1st Semi - Footy Record Cover.
1979 GF - Percy Jones & Jezza.
1981 - Perce & Gags on 92.3 EON FM.
1972 GF - Blues kick a record score.
1980 - Percy Jones & Ken Sheldon.
1979 SSF Percy Jones Spills A Mark
1968 Grand Final Lofts (20) Collins (19) And Jones (28)
1972 GF Peter Jones Wins Another Ruck Duel
1970 GF Percy Jones Cops A Shove In The Back
1979 GF Percy & Jezza Share Champagne & Glory
Rival coaches Percy Jones and Tony Jewell clash during the 1980 Qualifying Final..jpgImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
1970 Grand Final Ragsy Goold & Percy Jones After The SirenImage courtesy of The Age newspaper
Carlton Coach Peter Jones In The 1980 Finals ParadeImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
1980 Senior Coach Peter Jones And President Ian RiceImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club
1972 GF Percy Plucks A Pearler
Percy Jones Kellogg's Footy CardEdited image - originally submitted by dgreen2.
Jezza And Percy 1979Image courtesy of The Age newspaper.
Percy Celebrates!
Percy Jones Portrait
Peter Jones 1977Image courtesy of The Age newspaper.
Prime Minister Gough Whitlam meets Percy Jones.jpgImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club.
Percy Jones In A Ruck Duel Against HawthornImage courtesy of Carlton Football Club.
Percy In PortraitEdited image - originally submitted by Bombasheldon.
The Astor Percy Jones' Pub From 1985 To 2014
1978 1st Semi - Jones attempts to spoil Phil Carmen.
1977 Rd 21 - Walls & Jones shepherd ball through for a goal.
1972 Prelim. - Southby & Jones in a marking contest.
1972 GF - Percy Jones takes a pack mark.
1979 Rd 10 - Jezza & Jones run past the Bluebirds.
1980 Rd 1 - Percy Jones & Rod Ashman celebrate win over the Pies.
1978 Rd 7 - Percy upset over a free kick with Armstrong close by.
1978 Rd 7 - Percy shattered over a free kick with Southby & Armstrong close by.
1978 Rd 14 - Percy shows his disdain for a free kick with Jezza in support.
1979 Rd 7 - Percy Jones shoots for goal watched by Greg Towns.
1980 Rd 18 - Percy Jones 'infamous' poster in the reserves at the Lakeside Oval.
1980 Rd 18 - Percy Jones looking dejected after his 'infamous' poster.
1968 - Carlton vs Sturt National Championship Game; Jones & Bennett flies for mark with Kekovich front & square.
Percy Jones.
1979 Rd 18 - A jubilant Percy Jones.
1975 Rd 14 - Percy Jones shoots for goal.The Kevin McNair Collection
1973 GF - Percy Jones.
1979 Rd 18 - Southby about to tackle Blight with Austin & Jones in support.
1979 GF - Jezza is being chaired by Jones & Klomp.
1975 - Adrian Gallagher & Percy Jones.
1978 Rd 22 - Percy Jones & Rex Hunt.
1975 Rd 17 - Greg Kennedy marks as Percy Jones celebrates.
1975 1st Semi - Percy Jones celebrates a goal with Bones McGhie in the background.
1970 GF - Percy Jones in a marking contest.
The Dover Hotel - Hosts Percy Jones & Gags Gallagher.
1979 GF - Percy Jones & Peter Moore compete at the centre bounce.
1979 GF - Percy Jones in ruck duel with Peter Moore.
1977 Rd 21 - Percy Jones & Maclure celebrate a goal.
1978 Rd 16 - Percy Jones marks over John Rantall.
2019 - 1979 Grand Final Reunion Celebrations.
1969 Grand Final - Percy Jones in a marking contest.
Lou Richards & Percy Jones ham it up.
1978 Rd 22 - Percy Jones shepherds for Rod Ashman.
2013 - Tasmanian Hall of Fame Inductee; Former Blue Percy Jones.
1979 2nd Semi - Daryl Sutton spoils Percy Jones watched by Peter Brown.
1975 Rd 17 - Percy Jones vs Hawks.
1973 Qual Final – Allford flies over Jones with Crosswell waiting for crumbs
1965 - Carlton's recruits for the 1965 season.
1982 Grand Final - Rod Ashman & Percy Jones celebrate the win.
1974 Rd 17 - Peter Jones in a marking contest.
1970 - Carlton vs Sturt; Peter Jones marks in front of Chessell.
1965 - Peter Jones Bottle Top.
1973 - The Blues at training (1st August).
1975 Rd 14 - Windy Hill Brawl (Jackson & Jones).
1977 Rd 16 - Rod Ashman & Percy Jones pressure Norm Goss.
1979 - Injured Ashman & Jones training for Grand Final.
1965 - Future Blue; TAS Rep. Peter Jones.
1980 Qual. Final - Percy at training with the Blues.
1980 Qual. Final - Tigers defeat Blues.
1980 Qual. Final - Percy & Jewell shape up.
1979 Grand Final - Percy Jones celebrates a goal.
1972 Grand Final - Blues bolt in for VFL flag.
1979 Grand Final - Percy Jones & Jezza with the premiership cup.
1979 Grand Final - Percy Jones in ruck duel watched by Southby.
1972 Carlton vs East Perth; Jones & Whittle clash (Greg Kennedy).
1980 Qual. Final - Percy & Jewell shape up.
1981 - Chauvinist Blues under fire / Percy snippet.
Cover of Blues News July 1977
1978 - Peter Jones.
1970 - Peter Jones.
1979 Rd 18 - Percy Jones & Dempsey in ruck contest.
1977 Rd 3 - Percy Jones celebrates a goal.
1978 Rd 17 - Catoggio goal is celebrated by Jones and Maclure.
Percy Jones at training.
1970 Peter Jones Push Ups Age April 10 P21 Capture
1968 Grand Final Victory Lap.
1968 Championship Game Ian Collins Being Chaired By Percy Jones & Brian Kekovich.
1977 Rd 16 Rod Ashman & Percy Jones.
1977 Rd 4 Percy Jones About To Mark Over Don Scott.