Reekie

Jack Reekie was Carlton’s first VFL centre half-back. A seasoned defender who had established himself at Princes Park while the Blues were part of the Victorian Football Association, he was probably one of the first players chosen for Carlton’s VFL debut match against Fitzroy at the Brunswick Street Oval on Saturday, May 8. 1897.

Reekie took on the key defensive post against the Maroons, and was valiant in defeat as Fitzroy overwhelmed the Blues by 33 points. Jack and fellow defenders Ernie Walton and Bill Casey were among Carlton’s standout performers on that bitter-sweet day, when a new era dawned for Australia’s national game.

The following week, when Carlton travelled to the Lake Oval to play South Melbourne, Reekie shifted across to a flank, allowing Walton to lead the defence for the remainder of that first fruitless season. From then on, although he and his fellow defenders were besieged in virtually every match, Jack was resolute, brave and consistently named amongst Carlton’s standout performers.

In his second season, he dropped back to the last line to mind the opposition talls, while occasionally standing-in at full-back. Tough and durable, he missed only four games in two years, but called it quits at the end of 1898 after Carlton managed just three wins and finished second-last again.

Jack was selected along with Brook Hannah and Ernie Walton in the VFL squad to play the Bendigo Association on the Upper Reserve Bendigo on Wednesday June 07 1897.
However only Reekie was selected in the team and played on the half back line.

Victorian Football Association
Games: 18
Career: 1896

Born in Melbourne, he was recruited in 1896. He was from the northern suburbs club Albion, then North Melbourne Juniors, and North Melbourne.
He played for North Melbourne Juniors in 1893.

Reekie passed away 5 September, 1963 aged 92.

1896 May 02
First week of the 1896 season and Carlton had the bye.
The Blues played the Ballarat Imperials at Saxon Paddock Ballarat, and Reekie was named in the 28 man squad.

1896 May 09
Jack Reekie made his VFA. debut for the Carlton F. C. in the match against Essendon at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground.

1896 May 23
Reekie played well in defence in the Blues' first win of the season against Richmond at Richmond.

1896 Reekie was among the players remaining who formed a nucleus of a strong combination.
(The Carlton Story. H.Buggy and H. Bell, p77)