Jason McCartney OAM (born 14 March 1974[1]) is a former Australian rules footballer, 2002 Bali bombing survivor,[2] former coach of the AIS/AFL Academy, and former list manager at the Western Bulldogs.
He was drinking at a nearby pub called Paddy's Bar when the bomb exploded, causing McCartney and his companion, fellow AFL teammate Mick Martyn, to suffer the impact of the blast.
Following an early season thigh strain, McCartney eventually played seven games with the Kangaroos' then-VFL affiliate Port Melbourne before gaining senior selection.
With two minutes remaining, and the Tigers subsequently having retaken the lead by three points, he also collected a bouncing pass inside the forward 50 and toepoked the ball through to Leigh Harding, who finished the goal from close range to put the Kangaroos ahead again for good.
[7] In a twist to the night, McCartney announced his retirement from AFL football during his on-field post-match interview, citing that his road back had left him physically exhausted and that he preferred to leave on a high note.
[10] In 2020, in an official YouTube video, the AFL ranked McCartney's comeback as the most memorable AFL moment at Docklands Stadium in its 20-year history, ahead of the likes of Hawthorn's Lance Franklin completing his 2008 100-goal season against Carlton, and Essendon's James Hird's famous final-quarter heroics against the West Coast Eagles in 2004.
[11] As of 2003, the Jason McCartney Medal has been awarded to the player judged most courageous on field in games between Collingwood and North Melbourne.
[15] He then moved back to Melbourne to be the Western Bulldogs' list manager at the end of 2011,[16] where his stay included their 2016 premiership win.
[17] This occurred shortly after an onfield stoush between both sides triggered by wrestling between Papley and Giants' captain Toby Greene at the end of the second quarter.