“It’s his midfield now”: Jackson’s domination of Roos leaves Longmuir with major selection headache
Fremantle ruckman Luke Jackson has left his coach with a good problem to have.
But it’s one set to draw plenty of focus as attention turns to where Jackson will play across the 2024 season.
Jackson was the dominant player on the ground in Fremantle’s 26-point come-from-behind win over North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon, making the Marvel Stadium surface his own.
The ex-Demon enjoyed an equal team-high 15 contested possessions from 24 touches and also picked up seven clearances, plus 21 hit outs. Jackson fought in tight with five tackles and then pushed forward to kick two goals in commanding effort for a ruckman.
Brownlow Medalist Adam Cooney saw Jackson as the best player on the ground and sung his praises post-game on AFL Nation.
“Luke Jackson’s dominance, you just can’t take your eyes off him,” Cooney said.
“When the big fella gets going and winds up, he’s one of the most watchable players in the competition. It’s a show you don’t want to miss.”
But as to the problem for Justin Longmuir, where does Sean Darcy fit back into his side?
Having undergone knee surgery in early March, the Dockers expect Darcy to return around Round 6.
Fremantle’s one and only ruckman prior to Jackson’s recruitment in 2022, Darcy lacks the potency of Jackson inside 50 and – as the first two games of 2024 would suggest – the same ruck craft.
Kane Cornes has been hot on Jackson’s signing and Darcy’s subsequent re-signing in recent weeks and was quick to offer his thoughts again on Twitter (formerly X).
“Huge investment for a back-up ruckman, it’s Jackson’s midfield now,” he posted, referring to Darcy’s six-year contract extension.
Longmuir recently told media Jackson had trained for much of the pre-season as a forward, suggesting Darcy remains the club’s no.1 ruckman.
But given Jackson has now dominated two games in the ruck and still managed to hit the scoreboard, kicking two goals in Rounds 1 and 2 respectively, Longmuir may be forced into a rethink of his plans.
As for the Dockers as a whole, Longmuir’s men have made a bright start after he signed a one-year contract extension earlier this month.
After knocking off Brisbane in Round 1 and now the Kangaroos, Fremantle goes into a Round 3 clash against Adelaide 2-0.