Balmain young gun, Jackson Monk is hoping to cap off a successful season with the Balmain Dockers with a Premier Division premiership on Saturday.
The 17 year-old who has played twenty matches with the top grade side, and one match with the AFL Sydney Development Squad, is battling a bicep injury to be right for the Grand Final clash with the UNSW/ES Bulldogs.
“I suffered the injury in the first quarter but it is responding well to treatment from the physio,” Monk said.
Monk is no stranger to senior football having joined the club from Newcastle City, where he played twenty-six senior games over two seasons.
The young Docker has benefitted from being a club surrounded by a plethora of former State League players, including Craig White and Ben Taggart.
“It has been an awesome experience and a good opportunity for me to develop my football with a really good bunch of guys,” he enthused.
“I moved (to Balmain) for the development of my football and because I want to play the highest level of football I can.
“It is a massive step up as the pace of the game and the skill levels are a lot higher than Newcastle football.
“I have learnt to take my time on the football field, not to rush my decision making and just to enjoy my football.”
Monk’s development has impressed many including those over at WAFL club, Swan Districts.
“There were a few clubs I could have chosen to do a pre-season with and nothing is concrete, but I am leaning towards doing a pre-season with Swan Districts,” he said.
“The players that have come out of there like (current GWS senior player) Stephen Cognolio, and the calibre of coaching staff they have over there will help improve my football.”
Last Modified on 18/09/2012 15:33
