Driving with Sam Pang | Alex Jesaulenko

High-flying Alex Jesaulenko stars in the fourth and final episode of Driving with Sam Pang for season 2018, thanks to Hyundai.

[@joememphis1571]

Upon being elevated to Legend status in the Australian Football Hall of Fame, Jesaulenko was accorded tribute from the great contemporaries of his era. The great Ron Barassi, Jesaulenko's first coach at Carlton, said: “Aussie rules was very lucky that Alex chose our game. I've no doubt he would've been a brilliant international player for rugby or rugby league or soccer. I first saw his reflexes playing social tennis. He was at the net, he was unbelievable, and I remember thinking, 'Gee whiz, this guy's something special', and I had not even seen him kick a ball yet”. Of his induction as a Legend in the Hall of Fame, Hawthorn opponent Leigh Matthews said: “Jezza was the Buddy Franklin of his era. He was a fantastic mark, but was fantastic at ground level, and that combination doesn't exist in many players. Jezza was a freak. He was about 182 cm, only a couple inches taller than me. He was a bit like Darrel Baldock of the '60s; great balance, low centre of gravity, sensational overhead”. Richmond opponent Kevin Bartlett regarded Jesaulenko as the most important player at Carlton during the years where the Richmond-Carlton rivalry reached its apex during the late 1960s and early 1970s: “When we played Carlton, it was always, 'How do we stop Jezza?' He was the talk of the day and if we got on top of him you killed the spirit of Carlton. He was such a devastating player, an inspirational player, and at Richmond, he was absolutely one of the players we had enormous respect for. He had the capability to be best on ground and had that magical quality to lift teammates. If he played well, he made another 10 players play well”. North Melbourne opponent and Brownlow Medallist Malcolm Blight was equally generous in his praise for Jesaulenko: “Ahh, Jezza. He brings a smile to your face, doesn't he, and bit of excitement. Jezza ... gee, he was good. I still haven't seen anyone with quite as good a balance as Jezza. Whether it be on the ground going for a ball or in the air, his balance was uncanny. He is an icon of the game, absolutely, no question, and as they say in the classics, could play”.

[@rocketrod1444]

Legend ..... the most underrated sportsman to bless these shores.

[@frankmachin5438]

Who underrates Jezza?

[@kevaldrick8272]

1st Ukraine Sports Hall of Famer: There will only EVER be one 'Jezza'. GOAT:Bruce Douall ☘️😂☘️😂☘️😂☘️😂

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

Jezza was just 20 when I first saw him play for Eastlake in Canberra, 1966. I was just behind the boundary fence and he was about 50m from me. I'll never forget some of the speccies he took that day ....best word is 'breathtaking'. (My mate had gone to school with Jezza. Told me that Jezza was a star in soccer and rugby; he also won the mile race by 100-150 yards).

[@michaellord6884]

The best player I ever saw. From 1967 when he came third in the Brownlow until the 1970 GF (I was 12 years old) he was an inspiration. Heard he hasn’t been well lately. I wish him all the best.

[@tonenotrequired8626]

Watching Jezza spin his weekly magic was worth the price of a scalper's GF ticket. Watching the GOAT Defender Bruce Doull vs Jezza at training on Thursdays was priceless.

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

There is so much pathos in the scene and music at the end of this. It's just wonderful.

[@leodrakakis8446]

Great interview . Jezza was my kid hood idol. Words can’t describe how much of an influence Sir Jezza has made to me . Legend of a bloke .

[@Tigertime.-fj1so]

I've never seen a more relaxed person on a VFL ground. Just watch him walk around after he kicks a goal.

[@AdrianSQ90]

Nice one Sam. Please keep them coming.

[@peterbrown6224]

I cannot thank you enough.

[@davideley7253]

Probably the greatest footballer I've ever seen......In his 1st season in 1967 he came 3rd in the Brownlow - Don't think that has ever come close ever before or since!

[@sentimentalbloke185]

Hayden Bunton senior & Brad Hardie both won the Brownlow in their first season. Royce Hart was considered the best first year player in 1967.

[@Seahorse20]

I met him twice as a kid. He was my football idol growing up. I had the famous number 25 on my jersey, and was rapt when I got his autograph. Great interview.

[@doctornaes]

Best one yet. U beauty!

[@wespaul9345]

God bless you Jezza. Not well now but gave my young life plenty.

[@benjaminglover1570]

The heart of Carlton. As an 8yo stood next to him naked to get an autograph. My old man pushed me into the dressing room.

[@hellovisibility8169]

Different times. Jezza is such a gentleman that I bet he didn't even bat an eyelid at your nudity.

[@theoriginalgoogle3615]

“ESAULENKO YOU FUCKIN BEAUTY” Give me more Sam, MORE !!!!

[@Lipsoteeee]

Just discovered this wonderful series interviewing all these Carlton football legends. Jezza’s father was Ukrainian and his mother was Russian. Peace 🙏

[@peppermcdonald9156]

Love it

[@downunderthunder2538]

Super player a living legend!

[@andrewwilliamson5332]

up there essa love it sami great interview you fkn gun

[@Seahorse20]

He also did an ad for Brandella football jerseys. In the ad he wore a South Melbourne jumper. Brandella never supplied woolen jumpers to Carlton. Carlton jumpers were made by Jason Knitting Mills until 1982, after that Adidas took over. In the late 1980’s Polworth were the official supplier to Carlton. Sekem supplied woolen jumpers to Carlton in the 1990’s.

[@willmarvellous3767]

Pretty good marking skills

[@s.roberts3839]

Great vid Sam but c'mon mate, your younger than the great man......You should've carried the esky 😁.

[@katesatriani]

Does anyone know where they are driving please?

[@Woopass90]

Which 3 Collingwood flogs down voted Jezza?

[@darrenwj1076]

Not me, i can not believe i just watch it in its entirety. I wont thumb it up or down. Could have been an offical from the turbulent times at the Blues. But fair chance it was one of us or a disgruntled St.Kilda supporter

[@peterfarrand3438]

Graeme Jerker Jenkin

[@kevaldrick8272]

Say G'day to Percy, Jim, Sid, Val, Bill, Mark (sadly Mick Young has left us), the Rabi, and crew at North Fitzroy Arms Hotel, Rae St please, from ☘️😂 GOAT:Bruce Douall

[@melissastokes8090]

I drink that Garth

[@keithwilson1554]

More like a date for Sam. Jezza thinking whose this young whipper snapper better keep him happy.

[@Lisielou]

😂

[@gudgarifilaspif8266]

The boundless toenail broadly squeal because pamphlet problematically risk after a miniature parentheses. second, yellow hell