For the Dockers – and even Melbourne – the question must be asked whether Jackson can play as a bona fide, starting 18 key forward. On exposed form, this is a doubtful proposition and that doubt ought to give Fremantle pause, writes Jake Niall | OPINION
Luke Jackson has three choices. The first is to stay at Melbourne and accept a role as an understudy to Max Gawn and the substantial, but not gigantic, contract that the Demons have put forth.
Whichever of these three paths Jackson takes, neither of Melbourne nor Fremantle should be offering the kind of massive contract that has been mooted – not accurately, this column has gleaned from well-placed sources – to the 20-year-old West Aussie. Should Rory Lobb request a trade to a Melbourne club, as is considered probable, the Dockers ought to recognise what Jackson represents – a ruckman, above all – and not fall for the notion that he’s a potential key forward who can help out Sean Darcy.In Darcy, the Dockers already own a formidable ruckman. To land Jackson, one would imagine that it would cost them two first-round picks and a long-term deal starting at $600,000-plus.
Jackson could well prove an outstanding player. At this stage, however, he’s clearly been promising as a second ruck – averaging 15 disposals, 10 hitouts and slightly over three marks per game in 2022, plus only eight goals in 13 games. The risk for a buyer is that he’s caught between ruck and key forward size and becomes a jack of both trades, but a master of neither.
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