Latest news with #LukeJackson
West Australian
26-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Xavier Ellis: West Coast Eagles risking Oscar Allen's value every time he plays
Here's a hypothetical for you. Let's say you own a car worth $40,000. Its a nice car, a car you are more than happy with, a car you haven't considered selling and one you'd be more than happy to keep. One day a neighbour knocks on your door and says 'I love your car, I want to buy your car, I'm prepared to offer you $120,000' The only catch for this too-good-to-be-true deal? The neighbour will collect (and pay for) the car when he returns from holiday in three months. During the waiting period, would you be taking the car on long trips, off road, or leaving it at the local pub overnight? I wouldn't. The Eagles need to seriously consider what they are doing with Oscar Allen, because right now pick 2 in this year's draft represents the $120,000 offer for the car. What happened to Jake Waterman on the weekend, could easily have been Oscar Allen. Only a month ago similar conversations were being had about Essendon ruckman, Sam Draper, with Essendon looking to receive the same sort of compensation for Draper if he departed. Well, he now has a ruptured Achilles, and those offers have likely changed. It isn't Australian sporting culture to sit, rest, or manipulate these kinds of situations, but I know what I'd be doing… The Dockers have put together back-to-back strong performances, and their win over Port did not come off the back of Serong, Brayshaw and Josh Treacey. The victory was well rounded and put the Dockers back in the finals mix. I still find it hard to understand the Luke Jackson debate. Jackson is a ruckman. Not a forward, and certainly not a ruck rover. Gawn, Xerri and Cameron are the current standouts in a competition flooded with average ruckmen. As a sole ruckman, Luke Jackson would join that list. He was by far the best player on the field on Saturday night, which wasn't and shouldn't be an outlier. I will continue to expect Jackson to be the dominant player on the ground as a ruckman. Fremantle have some tough conversations coming up, with Fyfe, Darcy & Sonny Walters all looking to make a return to footy.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Dockers coach sees ruck conundrum as a good thing
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has a big rucking problem - but he can't understand why everyone is such a downer about it. The Dockers have been heavily criticised over the past two years for apportioning such a significant chunk of their salary cap on two ruckmen - Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson. The issue is again a hot talking point following Darcy's recent knee injury and the way Jackson has thrived as the lead ruckman in his teammate's absence. Put simply, Jackson plays his best football when he leads the ruck, and it's the position he enjoys the most. The former Demon has been cast mainly as a key forward in the games Darcy has been fit to play, but Jackson has become increasingly vocal about his love for the lead ruck role. Darcy is an out-and-out ruckman who has never kicked more than 12 goals in a season. Rumours are still circling that Jackson could request a trade back to Melbourne at the end of the season. That would be disastrous for Fremantle, given Darcy's injury history over recent years and form struggles this season. Darcy has missed the past two weeks with a jarred knee - and Fremantle have posted convincing wins over GWS and Port Adelaide in that period. Jackson starred in both of those games, and he was arguably best afield against Port Adelaide with 38 hit-outs, 21 disposals, eight clearances, one goal and a goal assist. drop punt from there is absolutely wild.#KalyakoorlWalyalup #AFLFreoPower — Walyalup Football Club (@freodockers) May 24, 2025 Darcy is expected to be passed fit to return for Saturday's crunch clash with high-flying Gold Coast at People First Stadium. With the Suns boasting star ruckman Jarrod Witts, the inclusion of Darcy could prove handy. But would it hinder Jackson's game? Many pundits think so. And would opting for two ruckmen give Jackson further fuel to seek a trade away from Fremantle? These are key questions Longmuir will have to answer, but the sixth-year coach sees having two classy ruckmen up his sleeve as a huge positive. "To have two players who are really good at their position - I see it as a good problem," Longmuir said. "Everyone else sees it as a bad problem, but I'd see it as a good problem. "Jacko has got flexibility to play other positions. There's other ways we can get him around the footy. "And Sean's proven over the course of a long time that he's one of the best rucks in the comp against some of the bigger bodies, especially the big-bodied ruckmen. "So it's a good problem to have." Given Darcy's lack of pre-season following ankle and knee issues, Longmuir may opt to bring back the 26-year-old via the WAFL. The Dockers (6-5) need to find a replacement for rebounding defender Cooper Simpson, who injured his AC joint in the win over Port.
Perth Now
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Dominant Dockers stun Giants in superb away victory
Walyalup (Fremantle) have produced a stunning second half to create their own piece of history, beating Greater Western Sydney for the first time at ENGIE Stadium and claiming a crucial away victory by 34 points. The Dockers have been under the pump after failing to play their best footy this season and went through a week of frustration after being unable to capitalise on a mountain of inside 50s during a home loss to Collingwood last week. But this time they kept scoring after dominating the forward entries and only inaccuracy stopped them from winning by more in their 13.17 (95) to 8.13 (61) victory. The Dockers had lost all four of their previous matches at the ground, including last year when they were chasing a finals berth. They also hadn't won a genuine away game since June last year. Their only interstate victory since then was the neutral game against Richmond in Gather Round. Shai Bolton. Credit: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos / Getty Images But this was a stunning display. They conceded the first goal of the game after only 45 seconds but held the Giants to only three more goals until midway through the final term and just eight goals for the night. They won the inside 50s 56-45 on the back of a 15-8 centre clearance tally. Luke Jackson controlled the ruck with 32 hit outs and seven clearances from his 21 disposals. Caleb Serong was also superb in the midfield with 36 disposals and eight clearances. Luke Jackson. Credit: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images Shai Bolton relished playing for Walyalup in Sir Doug Nicholls Round with 24 possessions and three goals. The Dockers kicked six unanswered goals after leading by 11 points at half-time to guarantee victory. Walyalup could have won by more because they had a stack of opportunities. But they fought so hard in defence that those misses didn't matter. Jesse Hogan managed only one goal from 11 disposals. This was a night where Walyalup showed a combination flair, speed, grit and strength. They won the contested possessions by 25 in the second half. They overcame the disappointment of missing a series of key shots to keep the game on their own terms. They led by six points at quarter time and then seized control around the ground in the second term. Walyalup kicked four behind in six minutes and deserved to have a stranglehold on the contest. Murphy Reid in action. Credit: Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos / Getty Images It wasn't until Jye Amiss nailed his set shot nearly nine minutes into the term that the Dockers got some reward. At that point they'd kicked 1.4 from six inside 50s for the quarter and were still vulnerable. Then, as is the way when one team misses, the Giants went straight down the other end and kicked a goal of their own. Walyalup kept missing until Bolton won a free kick for holding the ball and then kicked a goal from the most difficult shot the team. Now Walyalup led by 17 points. Could they break the game open? They tried to. They refused to be conservative. Andrew Brayshaw saw an opportunity and attempted a tough kick to centre half-forward which he instantly regretted. Finn Callaghan intercepted, the Giants surged forward and Aaron Cadman kicked the goal. Footy can be cruel. Pat Voss charges forward. Credit: Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos / Getty Images But it didn't change their attitude and Walyalup still led by 11 points at half-time after having 10 more inside 50s than the Giants. The problem with not slamming the door shut is the opposition don't need a lot of encouragement to get back into the game, especially at home. The Dockers refused to let the Giants back into the game though. Frederick booted his third after a free kick from a tackle on Callan Ward. now they led by 16 points. Michael Frederick marks the ball. Credit: Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos / Getty Images The game was there for the taking. Nothing summed up Walyalups attitude more than the way they approached that challenge. Karl Worner took an intercept mark in defence and refused to slow the game down. He targeted Serong in the centre corridor, the star midfielder took a difficult mark and played on with a handball to space. Frederick ran onto the ball, handballed to Corey Wagner and he found Amiss who kicked his second goal. It was lightning. It was aggressive. It was daring. It was bold. Now they had to finish the Giants off. Murphy Reid kicked a goal to extend the lead to 27 points midway through the term and the Dockers just kept playing desperate footy. The backline defended superbly, holding the Giants goalless for the quarter. Dockers coach Justin Longmuir. Credit: Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos / Getty Images Both teams were missing chances they'd normally kick but Josh Treacy didn't miss to start the final term. He nailed the knock out blow and the only question now was the big the margin would become. They kicked five goals for the final term and it became a huge celebration. Players ran from everywhere when Cooper Simpson kicked his first career goal. The Giants kicked late goals to make the scoreboard more respectable. But this was a dominant effort from the Dockers.
West Australian
17-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Walyalup (Fremantle) Dockers thrash Greater Western Sydney in dominant victory on the road
Walyalup (Fremantle) have produced a stunning second half to create their own piece of history, beating Greater Western Sydney for the first time at ENGIE Stadium and claiming a crucial away victory by 34 points. The Dockers have been under the pump after failing to play their best footy this season and went through a week of frustration after being unable to capitalise on a mountain of inside 50s during a home loss to Collingwood last week. But this time they kept scoring after dominating the forward entries and only inaccuracy stopped them from winning by more in their 13.17 (95) to 8.13 (61) victory. The Dockers had lost all four of their previous matches at the ground, including last year when they were chasing a finals berth. They also hadn't won a genuine away game since June last year. Their only interstate victory since then was the neutral game against Richmond in Gather Round. But this was a stunning display. They conceded the first goal of the game after only 45 seconds but held the Giants to only three more goals until midway through the final term and just eight goals for the night. They won the inside 50s 56-45 on the back of a 15-8 centre clearance tally. Luke Jackson controlled the ruck with 32 hit outs and seven clearances from his 21 disposals. Caleb Serong was also superb in the midfield with 36 disposals and eight clearances. Shai Bolton relished playing for Walyalup in Sir Doug Nicholls Round with 24 possessions and three goals. The Dockers kicked six unanswered goals after leading by 11 points at half-time to guarantee victory. Walyalup could have won by more because they had a stack of opportunities. But they fought so hard in defence that those misses didn't matter. Jesse Hogan managed only one goal from 11 disposals. This was a night where Walyalup showed a combination flair, speed, grit and strength. They won the contested possessions by 25 in the second half. They overcame the disappointment of missing a series of key shots to keep the game on their own terms. They led by six points at quarter time and then seized control around the ground in the second term. Walyalup kicked four behind in six minutes and deserved to have a stranglehold on the contest. It wasn't until Jye Amiss nailed his set shot nearly nine minutes into the term that the Dockers got some reward. At that point they'd kicked 1.4 from six inside 50s for the quarter and were still vulnerable. Then, as is the way when one team misses, the Giants went straight down the other end and kicked a goal of their own. Walyalup kept missing until Bolton won a free kick for holding the ball and then kicked a goal from the most difficult shot the team. Now Walyalup led by 17 points. Could they break the game open? They tried to. They refused to be conservative. Andrew Brayshaw saw an opportunity and attempted a tough kick to centre half-forward which he instantly regretted. Finn Callaghan intercepted, the Giants surged forward and Aaron Cadman kicked the goal. Footy can be cruel. But it didn't change their attitude and Walyalup still led by 11 points at half-time after having 10 more inside 50s than the Giants. The problem with not slamming the door shut is the opposition don't need a lot of encouragement to get back into the game, especially at home. The Dockers refused to let the Giants back into the game though. Frederick booted his third after a free kick from a tackle on Callan Ward. now they led by 16 points. The game was there for the taking. Nothing summed up Walyalups attitude more than the way they approached that challenge. Karl Worner took an intercept mark in defence and refused to slow the game down. He targeted Serong in the centre corridor, the star midfielder took a difficult mark and played on with a handball to space. Frederick ran onto the ball, handballed to Corey Wagner and he found Amiss who kicked his second goal. It was lightning. It was aggressive. It was daring. It was bold. Now they had to finish the Giants off. Murphy Reid kicked a goal to extend the lead to 27 points midway through the term and the Dockers just kept playing desperate footy. The backline defended superbly, holding the Giants goalless for the quarter. Both teams were missing chances they'd normally kick but Josh Treacy didn't miss to start the final term. He nailed the knock out blow and the only question now was the big the margin would become. They kicked five goals for the final term and it became a huge celebration. Players ran from everywhere when Cooper Simpson kicked his first career goal. The Giants kicked late goals to make the scoreboard more respectable. But this was a dominant effort from the Dockers.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘I'm not doing that deal!'
AFL: Speaking as a diehard Demons fan, Garry Lyon has stated he would not trade Kozzie Pickett in order to land Dockers star Luke Jackson.
