Carlton champion Syd Jackson has reflected on his career and the impact it has had on his life at a recent club event.

The Indigenous Team of the Century member told the Blues' media team he loves the Carlton Football Club and considers them 'family'.

"They approached me in a way where they embraced me immediately, they made me feel a part of the family straight away," Jackson said.

"They looked after me, nurtured me … they are always interested in what I am doing and always invite me to the functions, so they're still my family."

Jackson was a pioneer for Indigenous footballers and spent eight years at Carlton between 1969 and 1976, culminating in 136 games and 165 goals.

Jackson was a member of Carlton's 1970 and 1972 premiership teams and would have played in the club's 1968 triumph if it were not for anti-poaching rules that existed during that time.

"In 1968 I was the runner because I couldn't be cleared from Western Australia.

"They had brought in a poaching rule, but I was already in Melbourne so I couldn't go back.

"Ron Barassi made me the runner for that year and said, 'you'll learn a bit more doing the running', and that was right, even though some of the players abused me when I ran out to tell them to go to another position," he laughed.

The diminutive Jackson was a skilful footballer who plied his trade in the centre or across the half forward flank.

Before joining the Blues, Jackson played over 100 games for Western Australian Football League team East Perth and was later named in the club's post-war Team of the Century.

He won the Royals' best-and-fairest in 1966 and was equal first in the WAFL's Sandover Medal polling, however he was deemed ineligible to win due to being suspended during the season.

The 80-year-old still keeps close tabs on the modern-day Blues team and said that he sees similarities between the current group and the teams he used to play in.

"They remind me of the fleet-footed (teams) of the days I played," he said.

"There are a lot of young blokes there (and they) look like they all gel together at the moment.

"Overall, we're pretty young with a couple of experience players thrown amongst them, so I think they have got a good future ahead."

Ultimately, Jackson is proud of what he achieved with his football, especially given the traumatic experiences of being part of the Stolen Generation.

"I couldn't believe that from where I came from I ended up where I am today. I was part of the Stolen Generation – taken away from your family and friends from one area of the state to the other."