Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has described star ruckman Luke Jackson as a person possessed after he produced a match-winning show in the course of the Dockers’ seven-point win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
Jackson performed his greatest recreation for the membership with 16 possessions and eight clearances, together with 5 from centre bounces, because the Dockers gained 10.11 (71) to 9.10 (64).
Playing because the primary ruckman within the absence of Doig medallist Sean Darcy, Jackson mixed brilliantly with Caleb Serong who completed the sport with 29 disposals and 7 clearances.
But it was Jackson’s capability to observe up after the ruck contest which confirmed why Fremantle was so determined to recruit him.
“He was super. He was a man possessed at ground level,” Longmuir stated.
He was tremendous. He was a person possessed at floor degree.
“I thought he competed hard in the ruck contest but what I’ve said all along with Jacko is his strength is at ground level a lot of the time. That’s why we’ve tried to play him in the midfield throughout the year.
“It’s made it hard with Sean being out. But his work at ground level to harass the opposition, intercept the ball and then continually put his head over it and get the ball going our way is something you rarely see from someone his size.
“He’s a unique athlete, a unique footballer and it shows his worth to the team.”
It was Fremantle’s second win this season over the reigning premier and the membership additionally gained in Geelong final season. The Dockers overcame a primary quarter the place the Cats had 10 of the primary 12 inside 50s after which withstood a ultimate quarter the place they booted two fast targets to guide by 9 factors.
Josh Corbett, Lachie Schultz and Michael Frederick kicked two targets every. Frederick’s recreation included a miraculous objective from the boundary line which introduced again recollections of Gary Ablett’s heroics in the identical pocket on the stadium.
Captain Alex Pearce was excellent in defence, limiting Cats star Tom Hawkins to solely 5 possessions and two targets. Pearce has been below hearth in latest weeks with some specialists saying he shouldn’t be Fremantle’s captain.
The full-back has been battling harm all season however he had 14 intercept possessions and two contested marks as he always repelled Geelong’s assaults.
“I thought he did a great job. He got his positioning right and I thought he got back to being really decisive with backing his first read in the contest. When he could attack the ball, he just attacked the ball,” Longmuir stated.
“It was a super game from the captain. I’m proud of the way he’s handled himself. I’m proud of the way under criticism he’s deflected and put all of his energy into his teammates and been a great leader. It was good to see him play well.
“What you see on the weekend is just a small fraction of what you need to be a leader. He’s been a tremendous leader.”
The win lifted Fremantle to 8-11 forward of subsequent week’s conflict with Brisbane at Optus Stadium.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
