Round 13 Rising Star Nominee: Nicholas Jackson
Photo: Tarrant Yelds.
Emerging Aspley utility Nick Jackson nearly threw away his football dreams before coach John Blair kept him on the right track.
Originally from the Maryborough Bears on the Fraser Coast, Jackson relocated to Brisbane in his teenage years to pursue a football career after he was identified by the Brisbane Lions Academy.
He spent four years in the Lions Academy but injury struck at crucial times during two National Under-18 Championship campaigns.
He tore his quad in 2013 and his hamstring last year, robbing him the chance to prove himself at the National Championships.
Jackson did enough to spark some draft interest last year, thanks largely to a stand-out performance in the NAB AFL All Stars curtain-raiser on Grand Final day at the MCG.
The 196cm and 92kg defender reads the play exceptionally well, can take a strong mark overhead, and has great ability to find targets accurately by foot.
He debuted for the Lions at NEAFL level last season but after the disappointment of missing out on the draft, Jackson didn’t want to come back.
But the persistence of Blair – and some tough love when required – has breathed new life into Jackson’s career.
“It’s been frustrating both years when I injured my quad and hamstring during the National Under-18 Championships, which is the best time to get picked up by an AFL club,” he said.
“He (Blair) has been really good for me. When I didn’t get drafted he called me, and then when I didn’t get rookie drafted he called me again to have a chat and see how I was.
“It was really good for me. He got me down to Aspley and he is always having one-on-one’s with me and motivating me. Sometimes he can joke and have a laugh with you at the right times but when he is serious he can be a bit scary.
“He gets in to me when I am lazy and that’s really good for me because I’m a laid back fella and need a coach like that. He is one of the best coaches I have ever had personally.”
Jackson grabbed his opportunity to break into the star-studded Hornets side from the opening round and has proved his versatility in a number of roles, from defence, in the ruck and most recently up forward against Redland on Saturday.
His performance against the Bombers has earned Jackson the Round 13 NEAFL Rising Star Nomination.
He was intimidated by his teammates at first, but is now loving his time at the Hornets and hopes there is better performances ahead.
“I was pretty depressed at the start of the year and pretty close to going back to the QAFL,” he said.
“I didn’t think I’d make the team at the start of the year. It was hard because you aren’t really confident with all the premiership boys around but you have to earn their trust and respect.
“I think I am slowly starting to do that and that’s built a bit of confidence in me to have their respect.
“It (the nomination) definitely gives me some extra confidence. Hopefully I can finish off the year really strong and keep having a crack at it.”
The Rising Star is awarded to the most promising young talent in the NEAFL competition. Nominees must be under the age of 21 and played less than 20 NEAFL games at the start of the 2015 season.
Last Modified on 09/07/2015 10:11