Fremantle recruit Luke Jackson producing up forward as stern test awaits against old side Melbourne

He has been asked to spearhead a once-dysfunctional forward line. His on-field performance has been questioned at best and unfairly targeted at worst. And after arriving at Fremantle as an emerging ruck, the 21-year-old has been cast as Sean Darcy’s sidekick.

But as the premiership Demon prepares to face his former side for the first time, Jackson has already ticked off one of his biggest tasks: living up to what the Dockers lost.

Casting an eye over Walyalup’s off-season departures, Rory Lobb is the name whose work was loved but attitude was loathed. Darcy Tucker and Lloyd Meek were depth players. The Dockers were confident they had options to replace Blake Acres. Griffin Logue provided decent defensive depth but was played out of position up forward.

But Lobb was the loss that threatened to hurt.

Lobb kicked 36 goals for the Dockers in a career-best season. While that was partly motivated by his desire to move to the Western Bulldogs, Lobb was a clear focal point up forward. With Matt Taberner and Nat Fyfe sidelined for large chunks of the season and the likes of Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy too raw to lead a forward line, Lobb carried the lions’ share. And it’s a role he flourished in, kicking bags of five and four goals throughout the season.

His departure to the Bulldogs forced a rethink of Walyalup’s forward structure.

Enter Jackson.

The 2021 Rising Star arrived at Walyalup as an emerging ruck with a propensity to play a bit up forward. He only kicked 30 goals in 52 games for Melbourne, but it was the way in which the Demons used Jackson in attack that caught the eye of Dockers football boss Peter Bell.

“It is interesting statistically, he does win a lot of 1v1s forward,” Bell told SEN amid trade period negotiations. “For a few different reasons – look far be it from me to criticise Melbourne, with the way that they played him, given the success they had – but they do play when they go inside 50 quite a narrow sort of entry, they’ll go to the pockets a lot.”

“Luke would often find himself as that tall on the other side of the 50 if you like. He didn’t get used as much as other clubs might look to use key forwards.”

Out of necessity, the Dockers have flipped that equation and Jackson has spent the majority of his time in purple in attack. And, based on a small sample size, he is already outperforming the man he was tasked with replacing.

After 10 games, Jackson is ranked elite by Champion Data for contested possessions (7.7 on average), hit-outs (10.2) and hitout win percentage (42.5). He is above average for disposals (13.8), contested marks (1.4) and score involvements (5.6) but below average for goals (1.2).

Compare that to Lobb. Although the Bulldog has played a varied role this season, Lobb is also deemed elite for hit-outs (6.7) and hitout win percentage (40 per cent), but his disposals (8.3), contested marks (0.8), score involvements (3.7) and goals (1.2) are all below average.

We know Jackson can ruck. He would be the number one big man at several other clubs. But his improved performance up forward has made him a better player.

“All along he’s been really committed to working on his craft, his marking and all of the things it takes to be a good AFL player,” Walyalup coach Justin Longmuir said on Wednesday.

“Earlier in the year, it was a little bit blown out of proportion, his form, because he wasn’t taking opportunities. Now he’s able to take his opportunities and convert his hard work into scores. If he’s not scoring himself, he’s been able to set up scores. His work ethic has been fantastic.”

Working in tandem with young talls Amiss and Treacy, the trio have finally found the key to separation. Amiss is a traditional, lead-up forward. Treacy crashes packs and strikes fear into the heart of opposition defenders. And Jackson is a master of both arts, effective both in the air and at ground level.

Still, there is no bigger test than facing your old side on enemy territory and a return to the MCG will prove exactly how far Jackson has come.

Not only will Jackson have to contend with old teammate Max Gawn and new Demon Brodie Grundy, the pair boasting eight All-Australian ruck blazers between them, but an impact up forward is essential, given Naarm boast one of the league’s most formidable defensive pairings in Steven May and Jake Lever.

One thing’s for certain: the Demons won’t be rolling out the welcome mat.

“It will be water off a duck’s back with Luke,” Longmuir told reporters on Wednesday. ”He’s taken every challenge in its stride. He’s taken criticism in his stride. It doesn’t seem to faze him too much.

“He‘s a pretty resilient, composed character. He’s carefree and he focuses on the future, not the past. There’s always a little bit of anxiety around playing your old team and teammates.

“But he‘ll prepare himself the same way he has been preparing, and go out there and compete his backside off and cop whatever he cops.”

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin added: “We’re rapt to see how well he’s going at Fremantle. He gave our footy club a lot and he’s a premiership player and someone we respect highly. But now he’s crossed the border and gone to a different club … now he’s the enemy. He’ll be treated like every other opponent out there and we’ll play tough, hard footy against him.”