THE HEROES of Alex Jesaulenko’s last on-field hurrah – members of the 1979 Grand Final twenty who ‘Jezza’ took to the mountaintop more than 40 years ago – quite literally got on the front foot in support of their former Captain-Coach at the weekend.

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Blues come together for 'Jezza' (Ch9)

Former Carlton players have come together to support teammate Alex Jesaulenko in his battle against Parkinsons Disease, footage courtesy of Channel 9.

Mark Maclure at 'A Walk in the Park' in support of Alex Jesaulenko.

’79 Premiership players Barry Armstrong, Rod Austin, Peter Brown, Jim Buckley, Mike Fitzpatrick, Wayne Harmes, Mark Maclure and Peter McConville, together with 1981 and ’82 Premiership player Des English and former players Vin Catoggio, Doug Ringholt and Greg Towns were amongst more than 2000 people gathering in Federation Square for A Walk in the Park, to raise awareness and funding to fight Parkinson’s disease.

The Club was represented by Spirit of Carlton Manager Shane O’Sullivan, the resident Promotions Officer in 1979, and the retired Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Greg Hall also took part in the four-kilometre walk. Another of the heroes of ’79, Geoff Southby, completed the walk with his wife Lorraine in Barwon Heads, as did the three-time Premiership player Neil Chandler and his wife Jeni in Yarram.

Geoff and Lorraine Southby show their support for Jezza.

 

 

Jesaulenko, Carlton’s 256-game four-time Premiership player, and one of the greatest League footballers ever to lace a boot, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in January.

Though he was unable to attend the walk, Jesaulenko was grandly represented by his daughter Kate, who said that Alex and the entire family had been overwhelmed by the support for the cause.