Peter Jackson (rugby league footballer)
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Peter Jackson was an Australian professional rugby league player who represented both his state and his country in the sport. Jackson took his own life in November 1997.
Australia 1988-92: 9 Tests - 4t (16pts)
Queensland 1986-92: 17 games - 2t, 1g (10pts)
Canberra Raiders 1987-88: 43 games - 15t, 6g (72pts)
Brisbane Broncos 1989-90: 29 games- 5t (20pts)
North Sydney Bears 1991-93: 31 games - 3t, 2fg (14pts)
In 1980 Peter Jackson played rugby union in the under-17s Australian schoolboys side before playing in the under-18s Australian schoolboys rugby league side the following year. He went on to prove himself as a dangerous attacking player at centre and five-eighth while playing for Souths Brisbane.
In 1986 Jackson made his State of Origin debut and the following year he followed his former coach Wayne Bennett to Canberra to play for the Raiders. There Jackson played in the centres, appearing in Canberra's 1988 grand final loss to Manly, as well as achiving international selection. In the Centenary Ashes Test Jackson scored two tries, contributing to Australia's victory and going on to play in four domestic Tests that year.
Jackson then moved back to Brisbane to play with the Broncos and despite touring with the Australian side to New Zealand (1989) and with the 1990 Kangaroos, his two years with the club brought inconsistent results.
At Norths, however, he was the focal point of the Bears' attack during the club's successful 1991 season. Jackson earned his place at 5/8th in the Australian Test side against New Zealand but was sent from the field in the Second Test of the series. He toured Papua New Guinea on Australia's short tour in October but was dropped after one Test against Great Britain the following year.
Jackson missed most of the 1993 season through illness and retired after Norths' reserve grade grand final win over Newcastle to concentrate on his career in the media. Linking with Canterbury as a skills coach, Jackson contemplated a return to the field with the Bulldogs but was secretly battling his own demons.
As a fifteen year old Jackson was abused sexually by his football coach. This secret caused him to suffer from depression and to use drugs and alcohol throughout his life to try to combat it. In November 1997 Jackson shocked the Australian rugby league community when he died of drug overdose. His death was used as a powerful image in a 2000 radio and television campaign to raise awareness against child abuse.
