Luke Jackson is already starting to show why Fremantle see him as a primary forward in 2023, according to Senior Coach Justin Longmuir.
Fremantle have been searching for impactful key forwards as they build their list, and Jackson has impressed early and has been Fremantle’s seventh best player for Ranking Points this year according to Champion Data.
After ranking 17th and 16th in the opening two rounds, the 21-year-old has been Fremantle’s sixth, fourth and sixth most important player in the previous three weeks.
Sean Darcy’s dominance in the ruck has made him Fremantle’s third highest-ranked player this year behind Luke Ryan and Caleb Serong.
Jackson’s pressure has been an underrated part of his game, with the 199cm big man trailing only Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw at Fremantle with 23 tackles this season.
Longmuir explained why Darcy attended 82 ruck contests compared to Jackson’s 19 in round five against Gold Coast.
“It was because (Jackson) was giving us such a good target down forward and kicked a couple of important goals,” Longmuir said.
“It’s more than that, it’s the contest he gives us, the follow-up he gives us in the forward line.
“(Against Gold Coast) Sean was getting right on top and giving our mids first look as well.
“Like I’ve said all along, it’s a case by case situation with who plays more ruck minutes.
“There’s been times when we’ve started Sean forward and Jacko in the ruck. We’ll just keep weighing that up.”
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Longmuir said Jackson will continue to improve as his teammates learn how to bring the best out of the new recruit.
“It was always going to take a bit of time for Jacko to find his feet playing with new players,” Longmuir said.
“He’s embracing the forward craft and getting better as his reactions and the options he provides the ball carrier.
“I still think there’s a lot of growth in how we can help him out and kick to his advantage to set him up for success.
“(Jackson and Darcy) are gelling really well and they’ve got a good connection to be able to flip whenever they want and have an understanding of where they need to be in the game.”
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