Essendon club great Jack Jones has been named to deliver the match ball to the umpires at Etihad Stadium when the Bombers face the Western Bulldogs at Sunday's Round 1 clash.

As part of an AFL initiative designed to celebrate opening round, club champions will deliver the match-day football at each of the eight games to open the 2011 AFL Premiership Season. All AFL games played this weekend will also include the playing of the national anthem in the lead up to the first bounce.
 
Jones played during one of the club’s golden eras, alongside champions including Dick Reynolds, John Coleman and Bill Hutchison. He starred as a half-forward flank in the 1946, 1949 and 1950 Premiership winning sides. Jones played in seven consecutive Grand Finals and between 1946 and 1954 played 133 consecutive games for Essendon.

Jones won Essendon’s best utility player award in 1946, 1947, 1949 and 1954 and the best clubman award in 1953.
 
Jones retired in 1954 having played 175 games and kicking 156 goals for the Essendon Football Club.

Meanwhile, lucky 14-year old Bomber member Rebecca Baldassarro has won the chance to sound the siren to start Sunday's game at Etihad Stadium.
 
Get behind James Hird as he is set to make his AFL coaching debut this Sunday against the Western Bulldogs. Purchase the exclusive 'James Hird Lapel Pin' at the Bombershop today by clicking here.