Andrew Brayshaw and Luke Jackson were both at their exciting best as Fremantle ran out comfortable winners against Hawthorn on Saturday night at Optus Stadium.
Brayshaw admitted earlier this week that he was back to full fitness after his 2023 season to date had been hampered with knee soreness.
The 2022 MVP was clearly best on with 34 disposals and two goals as he showed why he’s been rated one of the best in the game.
Twenty-one-year-old Luke Jackson showed what he could be as part of Fremantle’s forward line and engine room, with a career best 24 disposals, leading all players with 16 contested possessions while kicking two goals.
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The pair also combined for 15 tackles, with Brayshaw laying eight and Jackson seven.
Bailey Banfield was full of praise for the pair for helping deliver Freo’s third win of the season.
“Andy’s a gun, I don’t think there’s any question about that,” Banfield said.
“He kicked two and would have had 30 odd (disposals). He got tagged in the last quarter, it just shows the impact he was having on the game.
“He’s an absolute star and it’s great to get him back to form.”
Banfield said Jackson could be one of the AFL’s best players up front.
“He took a couple of really good contested clunks, which is what he’s there for,” Banfield said.
“When he gets a free jump and leap at it, he’s one of the most dangerous forwards in the comp I reckon.
“He brings his athleticism to it and they stuck today which was awesome.”
Speaking on Triple M, Jackson said he was pleased with his efforts.
“I feel like I had the first quarter to work into it a little bit,” Jackson told Triple M.
“I got all my strengths going, on the ground and launching at the ball as well. It was good to be able to get involved a lot tonight.”
Jackson praised Brayshaw’s work rate, highlighted by his high tackle count.
“He’s such a hard working player, Andy,” Jackson said
“You can clearly see it on game day when he’s working hard to support the defenders and pushing forward and kicking goals.
“I don’t recking there’s a mid that does it better, so it’s great to play with a guy like that.”
Freo's star performance against the Hawks
What we're about - The moment that highlighted Freo's forward goals
