Channel 9’s Footy Show came to the North East on Tuesday to find out more about a man who touched many lives.

Host Rebecca Maddern visited Cristy and Lucy Jacka’s Thurgoona home before the crew filmed in Rutherglen ahead of the Cats’ Cancer Awareness Round on Saturday.

Jacka, who also spent time at Lavington, Henty, Balranald, Howlong and Wodonga Raiders football clubs, spoke openly about his situation during his seven-month battle with stomach cancer.

Mrs Jacka said she was humbled to think her late husband would be featured on one of his favourite programs.

“We were blown away,” she said. “It was part of Karl's DNA to watch the Footy Show, so to be on the Footy Show is awesome.

“We would go to football training, we’d have our tea and we had to be home for the start of it so it’s very much part of our Thursday night routine.”

Maddern said the show was keen to share Jacka’s story, sad though it was.

“It’s a really touching one and Karl Jacka sounds like the bloke that everybody would want to be friends with,” she said. “I think this one will really resonate with our audience and everybody out there in the wider community. Grassroots footy is really important to us as well and so are the characters of the game.”

Maddern said as well as learning about Jacka, the show wanted to hear how people were doing since his death.

“It must be a difficult time for the community when somebody makes such a big impression,” she said.

“So we’ll catch up with everybody and hope to raise some awareness for this match on Saturday.”

Mrs Jacka said she and daughter Lucy, 7, looked forward to the awareness round and raising money for the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre. 

“Karl always said this was bigger than him and Saturday will be a demonstration that it is,” she said.

“But because of him we can do this day.”