Who was the best player to wear no. 5 for Carlton? I am just old enough to remember 'Midnight' running around the wing for Carlton. Syd Jackson had that 'x' factor. One of the most 'balanced' players to grace Princess Park. And boy could he move. Silky, swift, smooth as. To see the little fella pierce drop kicks at lightning speed was enthralling. Syd did all this despite the most vocal, poisonous, rancid, hateful abuse hurled at him during his few years at Princess Park. He was the ONLY aboriginal player in the VFL in his early days, and consequenely carried the judgement of his nation on his small shoulders. If you think that Collingwood supporters are feral now, you should have heard their putrid, racist, spiteful taunts then. Syd only played 7 few years at Carlton, his entry was stymied by WANFL pigheadedness. Before Winmar and Long, 'Midnight' stood out like a beacon. I urge you to keep an eye on him in the 1970 and 1972 Grand Finals. Syd played in two Premierships, finished 4th in the Best and Fairest twice, and was voted best clubman in 1975. He was loved by his club and by Blues supporters. Pure magic.
Go to http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php?page=Syd+Jackson