Resilience will get you far in life as Western Bulldogs List Manager Jason McCartney well knows.

Watch Bulldogs List Manager Jason McCartney's interview on the media player above.

A survivor of the 2002 Bali Bombings, McCartney won the hearts of the football community when he took to the field for one final match in North Melbourne colours before hanging up the boots - despite needing compression garments to cover his burns.

In an exclusive interview with AFL Media’s Catherine Ellis he reveals that the incident proved to be a reality check and even though he has devoted his life to footy, he now appreciates that it is just a game.

View Jason McCartney's profile.

“It definitely gave me a greater perspective on life - I was one that [thought] football was everything but I realised very quickly when you go through an experience like that yes it is important to a lot of people and it is so big in this country but it is only a game,” McCartney said.

“It is important what we do but spend time in hospital and they save lives.”

Winning a Premiership during his playing career may have eluded him but he now sets his sights on building a team at Whitten Oval that can achieve the ultimate success.