Jason McCartney is a hero and a survivor of the Bali Bombings in 2002. He played 182 games of AFL.

On 12 October 2002, Jason was a victim of the Bali Bombings near the Sari Club. He was drinking at a nearby pub called Paddy’s Bar when the bomb exploded, causing Jason and his companion, fellow AFL footballer Mick Martyn, to suffer the impact of the blast. Martyn escaped with minor burns, while Jason suffered severe second degree burns to over 50% of his body.

Jason initially thought his burns were minor and set about saving those around him instead of worrying about himself. He considered others to be in more pain than he was and had to be taken on a special chartered flight back to Melbourne along with other victims. When he arrived, the injuries turned out to be severe and Jason almost died during surgery. He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his support to other victims.

What followed was a long rehabilitation process. Jason stated that his objectives were to marry his fiancée Nerissa, as planned, and also to return to AFL football. The comeback was seen as an almost impossible task.

He married fiancée Nerissa Vanderheyden on 14 December, just 63 days after the bombings. Throughout 2003, Jason rehabilitated with the intention of regaining his place in the Kangaroos on merit.