Young gun Jackson Allen a Sherwood U/16 player who recently made his QAFL debut with the Western Magpies against Aspley only two weeks ago was the only Queenslander named in the AFL/AIS Academy Squad on Tuesday. 2009 has been a huge year for Allen as he was a key member of the Queensland U/16 team that has qualified for the finall of the U/16 National Championships in Division 2. That final will be a culmination of an outstanding year and will take place on the hallowed turf of the MCG on Australian Sports biggest day AFL Grand Final Day.
Following Queenslands outstanding performance setting up a date with the MCG on the last Saturday in September Jackson returned home to discover that the following week he would be making his QAFL debut aginst Aspley for the Western Magpies. He was presented with his jumper by Western Suburbs AFL legend, two time Grogan Medalist, Wests Premiership Player, QAFL all time leading goal kicker and second on the QAFL all time games list, Quensalnd Team of the Century and Queensland Hall of Fame member Owen Backwell. In that debut Allen showed poise, talent and skill well beyong his 16 years of age on his way to 20 posessions and 1 goal in a performance that was sublime for a youngster playing amongst men for the first time.
He then followed that up last week in his second game against competition heavy weights Southport in which he once again demonstrated he as all it takes to become an elite AFL athlete. Those with keen eyes for tallent are raving about the youngster particularly following one of the match highlights when Allen recieved a handball in space 60m out from goal on the clubhouse boundary line and turned toward goal carried the ball 10 meters and sloted it from 50 inspiring his older team mates who ran from all parts of the ground to congratulate the youngster.
Young Jackson will play two more QAFL matches for the Western Magpies before returning to play finals with his Sherwood U/16 team mates and following that will then play a key role for Queensland as they look to take out the division 2 final of the National Championships at the MCG on AFL Grand Final Day. From there Allen will begin his time with the AFL/AIS squad where he will be joined by relatives of some of the great AFL names such as Brandon Matera nephew of Phil and Peter and Dylan Buckley son of Carlton great Jim Buckley.
Have fun Jacko and enjoy the ride!!
Last Modified on 06/08/2009 16:17
