On 11/21/2019 at 1:11 PM, ProDee said:

Someone questioned his leaping ability.

And he's got a great leap. He can really get over the top of them (opponents)... Peter Sumich

From another - With a strong leap, competitive instincts, an ability to mark and also find the ball around the ground...  

 

On 11/21/2019 at 3:03 PM, DeeSpencer said:

On his leap: Draft profiles are nice but hard facts are better. According to one of the draft watchers his jumping numbers are: Standing 57cm / Running 78cm

That standing leap is pretty ordinary.

...so I don't think Jackson will be jumping over AFL rucks and winning clean hit outs.

OK

42 minutes ago, ProDee said:

 

OK

Impressive photo, but unless Petracca is levitating then big ROB is stuck to the ground there. I'm willing to admit I didn't think Jackson would be regularly getting that high up over opponents but then again he's only done it once so far. 

If you used my full quote rather than selectively editing it you'd see I said his running vertical leap is well above average and I didn't expect him to have any issues competing in the ruck at his height.

Quote

On his leap: Draft profiles are nice but hard facts are better. According to one of the draft watchers his jumping numbers are: Standing 57cm / Running 78cm

That standing leap is pretty ordinary. So at around the ground contest he'll have to use strength control the taps. But hit outs from ball ups with 20 guys around the ball aren't easy to do much with anyway. The running number is much better, not quite elite but easily well above average for a tall. Still along way from Nic Nat who did 78 standing and 102 jumping, so I don't think Jackson will be jumping over AFL rucks and winning clean hit outs. But no one bar Nic Nat ever does! Grundy didn't make the top 10 in either standing or running leaps so the comparison might be similar there.

 

23 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Too short.

Pass!

 

 

25 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Impressive photo, but unless Petracca is levitating then big ROB is stuck to the ground there. I'm willing to admit I didn't think Jackson would be regularly getting that high up over opponents but then again he's only done it once so far. 

If you used my full quote rather than selectively editing it you'd see I said his running vertical leap is well above average and I didn't expect him to have any issues competing in the ruck at his height.

 

Just a bit of levity, bloke.

I prefer to back people's eyesight and regular watchers of Jackson lauded his leap (as stated in my post). 

It's not the sort of thing people tend to make up.

20 hours ago, Forest Demon said:

I don’t really see the point of him being a mid, like he was at times yesterday, attending centre bounces while Weid went up in the ruck.

He has ridiculous athleticism, and is a ruckman in the mould of NikNat more than Grundy. Split his time between forward and ruck. Don’t over complicate it.

A benefit of him occasionally playing as a mid is that it gives another pack marking option in general play, whereas normally it is the sole ruckman and whatever key position player is in the vicinity.

A couple of times Weed and Jackso were flying for mark or spoils in general play. I'm not sure if it happened on Saturday but the two rucks (say Jackson and gawn) could also take opposition wings making it harder for opposition teams from kick outs outs or when clearing defence. 

The marking power around the ground gives us a point of difference.  

Also means Tmac and Weed are not under so much pressure to push up the ground to be a marking option. Tomlinson helps wit this aspect as well as he is a tall lump.

I did some quick calculations and came up with this handy reference guide below.

12 minutes ago, Skuit said:

I did some quick calculations and came up with this handy reference guide below.

Forgive me if I am wrong but I think I detect some photoshopping here. 

4 minutes ago, ManDee said:

Forgive me if I am wrong but I think I detect some photoshopping here. 

Latest edition of Adobe Creative Suite out of Cambodia actually, but you're forgiven nonetheless. 

On second thoughts, the original snap is resplendent with inherent religious iconography. 

I call this new piece, 'The father, the son, and the holy GOAT': Or, 'Gawn's creation of Luke'.

Love this kid. He has the bounce and grace of a cat and the enthusiasm of a labrador. He just makes you smile
He may not be ready for senior action yet but everyone here can see bits of what Luke is going to bring. He is one of those players where  the crowd noise level will rise when he is near the ball. 
He is going to do a whole lot of funky [censored] that hasn’t been done before. Between him and Kozzie Pickett Melbourne is going to be a lot of fun to barrack for. 

2 hours ago, FarNorthernD said:

Love this kid. He has the bounce and grace of a cat and the enthusiasm of a labrador. He just makes you smile
He may not be ready for senior action yet but everyone here can see bits of what Luke is going to bring. He is one of those players where  the crowd noise level will rise when he is near the ball. 
He is going to do a whole lot of funky [censored] that hasn’t been done before. Between him and Kozzie Pickett Melbourne is going to be a lot of fun to barrack for. 

He is so exciting.   Some sort of Nic Nat/Jeff White/Patrick Cripps hybrid.

The things he will do at clearances soon enough will leave people speechless.    Bring it on!

The kids got some talent - move like Pendlebury at times.

Absolutely no rush though.  He'd be about 10kg off his playing weight and should spend the year developing in the kitchen, gym and VFL. 

 

On 2/24/2020 at 1:22 PM, Lord Travis said:

Agree he doesn't look best 22 yet, and other than some magical leaps, he was one of the worst players on the ground yesterday.

The calls about him instantly surpassing Weid were a bit ridiculous IMO. Weid had an average game yesterday, yet nullified a good number one ruckman in O'Brien and picked up 20 hit-outs and 18 disposals himself. He is miles ahead of Jackson at this stage, as he should be with five years extra development!

I'd like to see Jackson rucking for Casey in first half of the year, and then hopefully building to becoming 2nd ruck/forward option in AFL second half of the year.

I'd like to see lJackson playing ruck-rover,  and ruck,  at Casey, sharing the ruck with others, as he builds fitness and is body. 

Remember, we have others to develop as well, and who knows what beholds these players futures. All need equal training and developments.

This guy is going to be quite something. His spring, running ability and general athleticism is obvious, but add to that quick hands and a willingness at the contest makes him an outstanding prospect. Obviously at this stage lacks muscle mass, but there’s an ample frame to put it on. If he can do that and stay fit he’ll be elite in 2/3 years 

Clearly has some incredible athletic traits. I was impressed with a couple of big tackles though - has the endeavour to match.

Strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride - he will be a player.

Remarkable effort to be competitive against two experienced Hawthorn rucks. Looks like one of those kids who will play early if need be.

We don’t want to be hyping this kid up too much but you can just picture him as a 1 man midfield in a few years. Jackson taps it down to Jackson, Jackson swoops onto it runs away and kicks it to.....Jackson. Jackson marks, plays on and kicks his 7th. 

The lightning speed in which he attacks the loose ball after contesting a hit-out is frightening. We got a small preview in Marsh1 &2 and it plays like a preview to a Hollywood Blockbuster movie. 

Edited March 7, 20205 yr by Dee Zephyr

Every Demon would have to love LJ, and the promise, hope and excitement that his untapped potential brings.  One thing that sticks in my mind is a comment made by Jason Taylor in 'To Hell & Back' that his improvement in the last 6 months has been 'dramatic'.  I have a gut feeling that he will maintain that trajectory.

The biggest thing about this guy is that he is going to take time, all we are going to see from him this year in my opinion is little flashes of brilliance and some not so good moments. 

2-3 years time he could be just about anything but we have to give him a pass and let him develop

2 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

We don’t want to be hyping this kid up too much but you can just picture him as a 1 man midfield in a few years. Jackson taps it down to Jackson, Jackson swoops onto it runs away and kicks it to.....Jackson. Jackson marks, plays on and kicks his 7th. 

The lightning speed in which he attacks the loose ball after contesting a hit-out is frightening. We got a small preview in Marsh1 &2 and it plays like a preview to a Hollywood Blockbuster movie. 

The lid is a bit loose Dee Zephyr

25 minutes ago, Patches O’houlihan said:

The biggest thing about this guy is that he is going to take time, all we are going to see from him this year in my opinion is little flashes of brilliance and some not so good moments. 

2-3 years time he could be just about anything but we have to give him a pass and let him develop

Yep look at English at the Doggies. This is his 4th season and he's starting to be noticed. 

I loved how he was being physically pushed all over the place in the ruck contests by Ceglar but he just kept oozing enthusiasm and the minute they hit the ground he was up for 2nd 7 3rd efforts and Ceglar was nowhere to be seen.   

3 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Jackson taps it down to Jackson, Jackson swoops onto it runs away and kicks it to.....Jackson. Jackson marks, plays on and kicks his 7th

Now that's just ridiculous.  You left out the part where he simultaneously tackled three opponents and then shepherded for himself.

Edited March 8, 20205 yr by demonstone
added more ridiculousness

3 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

We don’t want to be hyping this kid up too much but you can just picture him as a 1 man midfield in a few years. Jackson taps it down to Jackson, Jackson swoops onto it runs away and kicks it to.....Jackson. Jackson marks, plays on and kicks his 7th. 

The lightning speed in which he attacks the loose ball after contesting a hit-out is frightening. We got a small preview in Marsh1 &2 and it plays like a preview to a Hollywood Blockbuster movie. 

I really hope we do not turn him into the Next Watts.!

I reckon the MC will play him early ... probably round 1.  Jackson isn"t going to be thrown to the wolves either (as practiced by previous regime's)

He'll be surrounded by a more seasoned team and the bloke can be played in any number of positions ... relief ruck,  wing,  in the middle and deep forward.  A floating utility is his skill set (or will be)

And he's not going to be brought into a situation where he's to be relied on to play a standout role (from the get-go)  The opposite could be said with Pickett but he might force the selectors hand as well.

Having said all that (injuries aside) Luke might only play 12-14 games in his first season.  He'll hit a wall or 2 and will need rest and recovery.  The sport is now exceptionally demanding with all the 2-way running that is required.

And if we hold him back,  well and good.  Either way,  the kid looks a real talent.

So um...how bloody exciting is this kid? Talk about strings to his bow.

Just the way someone of his size can glide around the ground, coupled with his skills. It’s going to be a treat watching him develop. He also didn’t seem to show any signs of fatigue after 86% game time.

The recruiters have nailed this one. He is something special