Anthony Jackson – Rare & Ready Gifts & Prahran Football Club, Toorak Park

Anthony Jackson, founder of Rare & Ready Gifts, has maintained a long-standing connection with Prahran Football Club, spanning more than five decades.

He joined Prahran in 1986, working his way through the ranks to senior level. During the club’s 1987 VFL premiership season, under coach Greg Hutchison (former Melbourne AFL player), Anthony was part of the extended senior squad and played in several VFA reserves finals.

At the same time, he was involved with State Bank Football Club, where he assisted in recruiting players from North Central Victoria and Swan Hill — while continuing his playing commitments at Prahran.

In 1990, Anthony was a member of the State Bank premiership side, a highlight of his playing career. Following this period, he moved into off-field roles, contributing as a committee member across State Bank, Commonwealth Bank, and Southbank Football Clubs during a time of transition within the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA).

In 1996, he played the key role in recruiting Derek Hine as coach within the evolving Southbank–Prahran structure. Hine has since become one of the AFL’s most respected recruitment managers. During this time, Anthony also worked alongside respected football figures including Tim Habel, who were influential in the club’s direction and return to Prahran.

Anthony served as a selector and committeeman in Southbank then to be called Prahran’s 1997 premiership season, contributing to team selection and football committee / operations, while supporting the club through its transition back to Toorak Park in Armadale.

He later returned as Recruitment Manager from 2016 to 2019. In the 2017 premiership season, alongside Harrison Taylor (son of AFL figure Brian Taylor), he contributed to building the playing group that secured the premiership, including several players with links to Assumption College, Kilmore.

Across the years, Anthony’s involvement has included roles as a player, recruiter, committee member, and supporter—reflecting a strong and consistent connection to both Prahran Football Club and Toorak Park.

Today, through Rare & Ready Gifts, he continues to support Prahran as a sponsor, maintaining a lifelong association with the club and the local football community.