Jets pay tribute to beloved character

For some footy players, it would be the ultimate honour.

Burpengary Jets will gather on Saturday for a hugely significant day as the club honours the life and memory of its longest serving player, life member Brent ‘Wilko’ Wilkinson.

'Wilko' joined the Jets in the Under 9s and played for the club continuously until his sudden passing at age 37 in 2022 after a battle with cancer.

As a tribute and in his honour, the bar in the club’s function room will be dedicated as the ‘Brent ‘Wilko’ Wilkinson Bar'.

Jets president Brad Lord discussed the move with Wilko before his passing.

“He always joked and said, 'don’t they know I’m kind of a big deal round here?' but he was really a very humble guy and pretty chuffed at the suggestion that we would name the bar after him,” Lord said.

“He was one of the most loyal guys you would ever want to meet. Even after his diagnosis he turned up for his mates and got stuck in with them."

The celebration of Wilko's contribution wouldn't be complete without plenty of rugby league activities featuring under 13s through to open men's teams.

The Jets Masters team will play a nine-a-side game against the Wilko 9’s, made up of players who played with Wilko in what will be a festival type of game - tough but fun and played in good spirit.

“We are all brothers on the field and at the end day this is about remembering Wilko,” Lord said.

The player of the day will be awarded the Brent ‘Wilko’ Wilkinson Shield, generously donated by Mel and Dave from Big Dave’s Tippers.

Lord said the shield would be awarded to the player who best epitomised Wilko: "Having a red-hot crack, giving 110 per cent and playing in good spirit."

One player sure to be in action on the day is Brian Tyssen, a former long-time teammate of Wilko.

“Wilko was one bloke who always got stuck in. Whether it was on the field or off you could always rely on him. If his friends or family needed something Wilko would be there for them," Tyssen said.

Federal member for Kurwongbah, Shane King, and Moreton Bay Regional Council councillor Mark Booth will be in attendance on the day to officiate the naming ceremony which will start at 11.45am.

All past and present Jets and anyone who knew Wilko is invited to attend the club on Station Rd, Burpengary on Saturday, March 11 to celebrate Wilko’s life.