News photographer, Stewart Chambers took this picture of Allan Jeans presenting ‘Lethal’ Leigh Matthews his jumper at the 1985 Hawthorn Family Day at Glenferrie Oval.
By Justin Robertson
A TACTICIAN. A thinker. Passionate football man. Ingenious.
These are the solemn sentiments that will forever linger in the mind of former Hawthorn player Geoff Ablett, after the sad passing of legend Allan Jeans last week.
Known to his mates as “Yabby”, Jeans died at the age of 77 from fibrosis in the lungs and spent his final days at a retirement village near Cranbourne.
Mr Ablett, a councillor at the City of Casey, said he would forever be remembered by all who crossed paths with him.
“He was a person you could talk to about life. So not only was he a great coach, he was a mentor to many as well,” he said. “He was a very straight and honest man and was very passionate about football. He’ll go down in history as one of the greatest coaches – and deservedly so.”
During his final weeks at Eden In Lynbrook palliative care, a revolving door of sporting celebrities paid tribute and said their goodbyes to Allan Jeans.
Hawthorn player and coach, Peter Knights was a regular visitor and was joined in the final week by Ken Judge and celebrity Kim Hughes. Carlton legend John Nicholls and Ron Barassi had paid visits. Players from St Kilda and Hawthorn were there.
Jason Dunstall and Robert DiPierdomenico popped in. Kevin Neale saw him the day before he passed away and triple Brownlow medallist Ian Stewart visited recently.
Mr Ablett played 11 games with St Kilda and 16 with Richmond. But it was Hawthorn he called home, racking up 202 games from 1973 to 1982 and spending two seasons with Jeans.
“I played under John Kennedy Senior, David Parkin and Allan Jeans – three of the biggest names in coaching,” he said. “I think the art of a good coach is to get the best out of the players, getting them to want to play for and with you, and Jeans had that amazing ability to do that. His record speaks for itself.”
Mr Ablett said it was his mentoring, hard-nosed approach to training and opposition tactical knowledge he remembered most about the Hawthorn stalwart.
“On the track he was fairly intense. He had a set of values he wouldn’t deviate from. If you did your role, you got a game, if you didn’t your were out the door,” he said. “He put the bristles on your back a bit, but he got the best out of the players and got respect.”
And every now and then, Jeans would show a softer side.
“Sometimes before a game he’d be super quiet and you’d think, what’s going on here?,” Mr Ablett said. “He also used to call the boys ‘darlings’. He used to mix it up a bit.”
Mr Ablett said Jeans was an absolute legend of the game.
“It’s sad to see him go and he’ll be sadly missed, but no doubt will go down in history,” he said. “I know St Kilda love him, but his history at Hawthorn is great – if not greater. To be able to do it at two clubs, he certainly made his mark wherever he went.”
