WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - LUKE JACKSON

[Bang Bang Bang 5,429]

It’s insane how good he is for a 2nd year ruckman. Gawn didn’t break out until his 6th. 

One thing I’ve noticed about Jackson is that he’s very smart. For example, yesterday he “might” have dived on the ball and he was very aware of the need to get the ball out of the pack because of this. Might sound like a little thing but he does a lot of this stuff every week. It’s very rare for an athletic ruckman to have an elite midfielder’s brains. 

He may never be a great overhead mark but I don’t think he needs to be as he’s so good in other areas. If he does work it out then watch out. 

[ArtificialWisdom 3,844]

Goody mentioned that Max makes the call when they switch. Felt like LJ played bigger minutes in the middle than he has in the first 4 rounds. Max recognising his backup is having a good day and letting him take the reigns in the middle is great leadership. Jackson giving us that luxury is fantastic. Having 2 ruckman both in the top handful of players on the ground is unheard of.

[Lord Travis 10,133]

He’s been great around the ground when playing in the ruck, but he’s really struggled up forward. He’s not sticking the marks yet and hasn’t kicked a goal all season I don’t think?

His work around the ground is great though. He’s really sharp with following up the ground balls and his positioning around packs. He’s also a decent link option during play too. Going very well for a second year tall/ruck. Just needs to start sticking those marks and he’ll become a real danger for oppositions!

Edited April 19, 2021 by Lord Travis

[deelusions from afar 1,608]

50 minutes ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Goody mentioned that Max makes the call when they switch. Felt like LJ played bigger minutes in the middle than he has in the first 4 rounds. Max recognising his backup is having a good day and letting him take the reigns in the middle is great leadership. Jackson giving us that luxury is fantastic. Having 2 ruckman both in the top handful of players on the ground is unheard of.

I think it is going to be really interesting when we come up against some really good rucks that get on top of Jackson - I'm thinking West Coast, the dogs, etc  Gawn is dangerous when not in the ruck... Jackson not as much (yet)

[titan_uranus 22,210]

Yep as many have said, his midfield/ruck work is improving by the week, but his forward work isn't all that great. Really needs to hold his marks inside 50. But the talent is otherwise clear to see and it's becoming increasingly obvious by the week that the amount of time he can spend in the ruck is benefiting Gawn.

Does anyone else feel like Jackson's running gait looks identical to Naitanui's? They both seem to glide as they run.

[Grimes Times 1,278]

1 hour ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Goody mentioned that Max makes the call when they switch. Felt like LJ played bigger minutes in the middle than he has in the first 4 rounds. Max recognising his backup is having a good day and letting him take the reigns in the middle is great leadership. Jackson giving us that luxury is fantastic. Having 2 ruckman both in the top handful of players on the ground is unheard of.

I couldn't believe Haw dropped Ceglar, although not sure what his from was like. It allowed Jackson to ruck against a part timer as McEvoy followed Max everywhere. Not sure if this was reason Jackson played bigger minutes but he was holding his own in the ruck so max was in no rush to go back to the middle and could stand at FF longer than normal.

It will be interesting how this works against Richmond who dont even play a part time ruck.

[Axis of Bob 10,156]

I think Jackson suffers from the fact that he looks so much less like a young ruck/forward than most young ruck/forwards do. He moves so smoothly and with so much coordination that he gets judged like he's a 25 year old. He actually looks too good for his age so people can get fooled into judging his forward play like he's a mature player like Tom McDonald.  

But he's 19. He's a ruck forward. What he's doing is remarkable. He was beating Ben McEvoy, a 31 year old premiership ruckman comfortably in the ruck and then spreading like a midfielder. He's beaten or halved against every mature AFL ruckman he's played this year. He's a viable forward target against mature AFL key defenders. And he's 19. He has more contested marks this season than any player his age or younger. He gets his hands to more than others because he's much, much better than others. He's 19.

McEvoy didn't have as many hitouts as Jackson had yesterday until he was nearly 22 in his 4th season. Lycett was nearly 22. Nankervis didn't even play until he was 22. Jordan Roughead was 24. Max Bailey was nearly 23. Mike Pyke was 25. Brad Ottens was 19. Darren Jolly was 21. That's all of the premiership number 1 rucks for the last 11 years, and they all first got 22+ hitouts when they were playing as a solo/leading ruck, not as a key forward who gave the number 1 a chop out when he was tired. 

I feel a bit sorry for those who can't appreciate what Jackson is doing. This should be a time of wonder and enjoyment at a kid who is doing phenomenal things at this stage of his career. Sit back and enjoy it.

Edited April 19, 2021 by Axis of Bob

[DeeZee 6,718]

Love his follow up work and the way he roves his own tap outs.

Very Nic Nat like

[Demon3 2,541]

Jackson is flying, he is getting better each week, his groundball stuff is elite and he is getting more involved. the Marks up Fwd will come.. but he is going so well.

[jnrmac 18,913]

54 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

I think Jackson suffers from the fact that he looks so much less like a young ruck/forward than most young ruck/forwards do. He moves so smoothly and with so much coordination that he gets judged like he's a 25 year old. He actually looks too good for his age so people can get fooled into judging his forward play like he's a mature player like Tom McDonald.  

But he's 19. He's a ruck forward. What he's doing is remarkable. He was beating Ben McEvoy, a 31 year old premiership ruckman comfortably in the ruck and then spreading like a midfielder. He's beaten or halved against every mature AFL ruckman he's played this year. He's a viable forward target against mature AFL key defenders. And he's 19. He has more contested marks this season than any player his age or younger. He gets his hands to more than others because he's much, much better than others. He's 19.

McEvoy didn't have as many hitouts as Jackson had yesterday until he was nearly 22 in his 4th season. Lycett was nearly 22. Nankervis didn't even play until he was 22. Jordan Roughead was 24. Max Bailey was nearly 23. Mike Pyke was 25. Brad Ottens was 19. Darren Jolly was 21. That's all of the premiership number 1 rucks for the last 11 years, and they all first got 22+ hitouts when they were playing as a solo/leading ruck, not as a key forward who gave the number 1 a chop out when he was tired. 

I feel a bit sorry for those who can't appreciate what Jackson is doing. This should be a time of wonder and enjoyment at a kid who is doing phenomenal things at this stage of his career. Sit back and enjoy it.

I may have missed where you said it but he is 19yo.

 

He's a beauty

 

[Stinger 397]

2 minutes ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

Goody mentioned that Max makes the call when they switch. Felt like LJ played bigger minutes in the middle than he has in the first 4 rounds. Max recognising his backup is having a good day and letting him take the reigns in the middle is great leadership. Jackson giving us that luxury is fantastic. Having 2 ruckman both in the top handful of players on the ground is unheard of.

I noted that also in the press conference - was really interested to hear the Max makes the call on field. 

[monoccular 15,986]

Anyone old enough to remember MFC premierships will remember the invincible Jet Jackson, flying commando TV series.  
Hope he becomes our Jet Jackson. 

[Dr.D 1,771]

are people finally willing to concede that I was right on Jackson not being a forward? I love how I got shot down for saying Jackson isn't a forward. He's kicked 1 goal in 5 games. I repeat 1 in 5 games. Is he a good player? yes. Is his role important for Gawn? Yes. Is he going to be a great ruckman? yes. Is he a forward? Clearly not. 

Thanks for proving me right. Yet again. 

[rjay 23,844]

5 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

are people finally willing to concede that I was right on Jackson not being a forward? I love how I got shot down for saying Jackson isn't a forward. He's kicked 1 goal in 5 games. I repeat 1 in 5 games. Is he a good player? yes. Is his role important for Gawn? Yes. Is he going to be a great ruckman? yes. Is he a forward? Clearly not. 

Thanks for proving me right. Yet again. 

Sorry, but you are wrong again...

[JJ Haydos 33]

LJ is a jet, no doubt. 

He was bullied by Tomahawk in the ruck from throw-ins last week in the backline.  Tomahawk just too strong atm.

LJ seems to be filling out his frame almost weekly.  2-3 years from now... lookout...  I just hope we can keep him from going back to WA.

I'm just waiting for the day he starts clunking those big grabs consistantly.

[durango 1,976]

I think he will win the rising star award for this round with 17 disposals 5 marks 22 hitouts and 2 clearences which should be enough

[adonski 9,097]

Bob Murphy on LJ: 

https://media.whooshkaa.com/show/1920/episode/816936.mp3

Edited April 19, 2021 by adonski

[dazzledavey36 48,617]

2 hours ago, Dr.D said:

are people finally willing to concede that I was right on Jackson not being a forward? I love how I got shot down for saying Jackson isn't a forward. He's kicked 1 goal in 5 games. I repeat 1 in 5 games. Is he a good player? yes. Is his role important for Gawn? Yes. Is he going to be a great ruckman? yes. Is he a forward? Clearly not. 

Thanks for proving me right. Yet again. 

You have serious issues

[Lord Travis 10,133]

2 hours ago, Dr.D said:

are people finally willing to concede that I was right on Jackson not being a forward? I love how I got shot down for saying Jackson isn't a forward. He's kicked 1 goal in 5 games. I repeat 1 in 5 games. Is he a good player? yes. Is his role important for Gawn? Yes. Is he going to be a great ruckman? yes. Is he a forward? Clearly not. 

Thanks for proving me right. Yet again. 

I mostly agree with you. What he showed at underage level is what we’re now seeing at AFL level. His around the ground work to be a linking option and his positioning around stoppages is brilliant. His ability with ground balls is freakish for his size. His ruck work is super advanced for his age. His leap is awesome, NicNat like.

His forward draft however is poor and his contested marking is poor. He’s being used there as a resting option purely because he can’t own the number 1 ruck position yet. I’ll eat my own face if he ever becomes a good forward.

Overall he’s tracking extremely well for a tall his age. 

[Pates 9,536]

I love watching Jackson play and develop, and it makes my heart soar hearing that it's down to Gawn on when Jackson goes into that are as I feel that Gawn is not just being a captain, but a mentor/on-field ruck coach. I've got no doubt that Max can read when things are a bit tighter and they need his experience in there, but allowing Jackson to have more ruck time (and there's no doubt he's getting it) is just absolutely brilliant. 

That all said, Jackson keeps being inches away from the big breakout game. That isn't a shot at his because he's only 19, but it's almost excruciating at seeing the hands have good purchase on the ball but not hold the grab, or his rove his on taps and it doesn't quite get the clean possession. It will happen this year, I would just about take that to the bank. In the meantime I'll enjoy the moments that Max allows him to take more responsibility in the ruck.

@Dr.D it's hard to work out whether you're a troll or just dim. His role as a forward on paper is largely structural, have a look at his heatmap. He's being played more as a ruck/wing/onballer, his actual time deep as a forward is relatively minimal. Where he's being named on the teamsheet is largely irrelevant. 

Edited April 19, 2021 by Pates

[Deestroy All 14,261]

4 hours ago, Dr.D said:

are people finally willing to concede that I was right on Jackson not being a forward? I love how I got shot down for saying Jackson isn't a forward. He's kicked 1 goal in 5 games. I repeat 1 in 5 games. Is he a good player? yes. Is his role important for Gawn? Yes. Is he going to be a great ruckman? yes. Is he a forward? Clearly not. 

Thanks for proving me right. Yet again. 

How’s your boy, the permanent forward Logan McDonald gone in the last 2 games? Donuts

[Cards13 9,117]

I hope he doesn’t try to bulk up too much, I don’t think he needs, his agility and pace for size or key strengths and we know how the bulk worked out for Tmac.

[Matt Demon 1,385]

When he was drafted Goody & Jason Taylor said they could see him playing time as a genuine midfielder, I laughed at that comment. 

I'm not laughing anymore! 

Give him another 50 games and a couple of pre seasons and this kid will be a star of the competition.

[The Chief 636]

Did wonder if Max letting Jackson do more of the ruck work around the ground yesterday, was because of the short break to this week’s Richmond game. Great that we’re in a position to even be able to think this is possible. 
 

No need for any concern with Jackson’s marking, he gets to contests, is comfortable with the physical tussling, just a matter of time until he starts clunking them. 

Edited April 19, 2021 by The Chief
Spelling

[Dr.D 1,771]

5 hours ago, Deestroy All said:

How’s your boy, the permanent forward Logan McDonald gone in the last 2 games? Donuts

so he's kicked 7 times more goals and he's a year younger. I wouldn't go into that one.