MELBOURNE life member and staff member of 26 years, Jackie Emmerton has made the decision this week to step away from the club.

Since joining the Demons in January 1994 as the club’s Football Secretary, Emmerton has made a significant impact across Melbourne’s football and administration departments.

During her first 19 years at the club, Emmerton was a key member of the club’s football department and a much-loved figure among the many players and coaches who passed through the club’s doors.

Among her highlights during this time include the thrilling 2000 finals series, along with travelling with the club to international exhibition matches in London in 2000 and Shanghai in 2010.

More recently, Emmerton has driven the club’s fundraising endeavours via the Red and Blue Foundation, while continuing to be a key connector to past players, coaches, officials and devoted supporters.

One of her accomplishments in this space was growing and managing the club’s Foundation Legends and Heroes program, which was a legacy of club great Jim Stynes.

In 2019, she also successfully led the fundraising campaign to re-grass Santa Teresa Oval in the Northern Territory.

Also during 2019, Emmerton celebrated 25 years at the club in an event attended by Chris Connolly, Paul Hopgood, Neale Daniher, Brad Green, Rod Grinter, Nathan Brown and Russell Robertson.

Emmerton was made the first female life member of the club in 2013 and will leave an everlasting legacy at the red and blue.

Since Emmerton joined the club, the Demons have transitioned from Garry Lyon as captain through to Max Gawn while playing a total of 590 Premiership matches.