FOUR-TIME premiership ruckman Peter (‘Percy’) Jones, together with the three-time Carlton premiership coach David Parkin have been elevated to Legend status in the Carlton Football Club’s Hall of Fame.
Key figures in a glory era through four decades of Carlton history, Jones and Parkin were recommended for Legend status by the Club’s Heritage and Tradition Committee and subsequently endorsed by the Board of Directors.
Both men will be formally honoured at the Spirit of Carlton Hall of Fame event in the Grand Hall, Centrepiece, Melbourne Park, on Thursday 6 March. It was announced last week that Marc Murphy and Kade Simpson would also be acknowledged on the night after being announced as the Club's Hall of Fame inductees
Jones’ and Parkin’s elevations extend the Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame’s Legends quota to 18. They join Craig Bradley, Bert Deacon, Alex Jesaulenko, Bruce Doull, Wayne Johnston, Stephen Kernahan, John Nicholls, Stephen Silvagni and Harry ‘Soapy’ Vallence (elevated 1997), Ken Hands (2006), Robert Walls (2011), Geoff Southby (2013), Sergio Silvagni (2016), David McKay (2021), ‘Horrie’ Clover and Ian Collins (both 2023).
Peter (‘Percy’) Jones
Remembered as one of the game’s most endearing characters, Peter Jones also commands an exalted place in history as one of Carlton’s most capable and loyal servants.
Recruited to the Club from North Hobart in what was Ron Barassi’s second season as captain-coach, the gangly Tasmanian ruckman gloriously complemented John Nicholls as ‘Big Nick’s’ understudy through the premiership seasons of 1968 and ’70.
The Grand Final of 1972 would be Jones’s finest hour, for it was in this match – the 50-goal shootout with Richmond - that he effectively rucked unchanged. The following year he earned Carlton’s Best and Fairest award and in ’74 emerged as the pre-eminent ruckman in the wake of Nicholls’ on-field retirement.
‘Percy’ produced on-field histrionics that earned him cult status amongst the Carlton faithful - but to remember him merely as a football figure of fun would be to grossly underplay a magnificent on-field career – 249 games for 307 goals (all of which he clapped through) across 14 seasons, and ending with a fourth Premiership earned in September 1979.
Jones’ preparedness to put his hand up as Carlton Senior Coach in late 1979 yet again reflected the man’s loyalty to the Club he loved - and beyond his brief coaching stint he furthered his off-field involvement with Carlton’s Board of Directors.
The elevation of Peter Jones to Legend status of the Hall truly reflects the mark of respect this football club holds for a man whose love affair with Carlton spans almost 60 years.
David Parkin
Named Senior Coach of this Club’s feted Team of the 20th century, David Parkin’s place in Carlton history was assured a long time ago. Universally respected as one of the League’s great analysts and innovators, Parkin’s lofty reputation had already precedented him when he accepted the role as Carlton Coach, replacing Peter Jones on the cusp of the 1981 season – and from the outset, the former Hawthorn Premiership Captain and Coach raised the bar.
Parkin’s professionalism impacted significantly on the remarkable group of prodigiously talented young players he inherited – Carlton’s famed ‘Mosquito Fleet’ that earned the Blues’ back-to-back Premierships of 1981 and ’82 under his watch.
On his return to the club for his second coaching stint in 1991, Parkin rebuilt a team which ultimately morphed into the all-conquering ‘Record Breakers’ - and earned Carlton an unprecedented 16th Premiership to round out a stellar season 1995.
Parkin was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2002, the Hawthorn Hall twelve months later and the Carlton Hall in 2011. He is one of just seven men to have coached more than 500 senior VFL/AFL games, together with Michael Malthouse, ‘Jock’ McHale, Kevin Sheedy, Allan Jeans, Tom Hafey and Ron Barassi.
“On behalf of every Carlton person, it is with great pride that we see two of the greatest individuals to be associated with our club receive one of its highest individual honours,” Carlton President Rob Priestley said.
“David Parkin has been a stalwart of the game over the past seven decades. His sacrifice and service to bettering our great club, as well as the game we all know and love, is second to none.
“David not only shaped champions on the field, but his care for the people beyond the jumper they wore has left a lasting legacy and was ahead of his time. His impact at Carlton goes way beyond the scoreboard. He was an incredible coach and mentor, and has had such a significant impact on so many here at the Club.
“Percy Jones was a charismatic player, his boundless energy brought a smile to all those around him and great joy to all of our fans.
“Percy truly understood the meaning of teamwork and resilience. Every challenge he faced was seen as an opportunity for growth. He was bullish on field, a true lionheart, often putting his body on the line for the advantage of his team.
“I am so pleased to be able to celebrate both extraordinary careers. Their achievements continue to be admired to this date, and David and Percy’s legacy’s will be celebrated at Carlton for many generations to come.”
About the Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame
Established in 1987, the Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame recognises contributions made to the Club by individuals since 1864 and acknowledges each candidate’s outstanding service and overall contribution to the Club - as well as their individual record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character.
Members of the Club’s Heritage Committee consider a candidate’s outstanding service and overall contribution to Carlton in making its recommendation to the Board of Directors.
Committee persons may also consider a candidate’s individual record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character. The number of games played or coached or years of administration and years of service are only a guide and not a determining factor.
