Fremantle great Paul Hasleby has declared “Luke Jackson has the Goodes”, saying he can be the first ruckman to win a Brownlow Medal since Sydney champion Adam Goodes.
Jackson has impressed greatly across the first fortnight of the season playing as the Dockers’ solo ruckman in the absence of Sean Darcy.
He dominated in Saturday’s win over North Melbourne, finishing with two goals, 24 disposals, 10 score involvements, 21 hit-outs, seven clearances, five tackles and two contested marks.
“The last ruckman to win the Brownlow Medal was Adam Goodes. If there is to be another one, it’s going to be Luke Jackson,” Hasleby told SEN WA’s The Run Home.
“This is a guy, when he plays in the ruck and plays well, we all notice and he got maximum votes on the weekend from the coaches and he should get the three Brownlow votes and if he doesn’t, something is wrong.
“He has been amazing. 24 disposals, two goals, a really good battle with Tristan Xerri who was really good for North Melbourne, but the further the game went on the harder he is to stop because he’s so athletic.
“He just grinds his opponents into the ground through his running capacity.”
Fremantle recently re-signed Darcy to until the end of 2030, showing their commitment to the ruckman, and Hasleby wonders how they balance both in the same side given Jackson’s breakout.
“I think he is going to be a very special player and they’ve got a big decision to make in time, Fremantle,” the club champion added.
“He’s in sixth position in the coaches votes … if he is to move forward, I don’t think he can win a Brownlow as a forward, but it looks like he’s developed a bit as a forward with some of the marking he’s done in the first few rounds.
“It’s one thing to take your ruckman forward and beat him, than it is to beat the best defender and get separation.
“It’s a big decision to make. The Dockers are chips in on Sean Darcy coming back in. They can’t back out of it and not play him, but I feel they are a better team when Luke Jackson is the number one ruck, with Josh Treacy and Matt Taberner going in to back him up, which frees them up a bit too.”
Fremantle hosts Adelaide in Round 3 and will be hoping to move to 3-0 before a tough run of games against Carlton, Port Adelaide and the Bulldogs in the next month, as well as the Derby.
