cogs24
28 Nov 2005, 16:51
Jackson's draft compassion
1:40:50 PM Mon 28 November, 2005
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au
Versatile Richmond youngster Daniel Jackson understands more than most what it is like to be drafted as a 17-year-old, having been drafted by the Tigers in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft.
Although he still could have been drafted last year, Jackson was taken the first year he was eligible for the draft, as several recruiters believed he had the ability to be a much higher selection, had he been taken in 2004.
In fact, he was so unfazed about being drafted as a 17-year-old that he was playing a volleyball match for Carey Grammar, when he found out he became a Tiger. He conceded "it was a bit different" finding out how he became an AFL-listed player.
"I was pretty relaxed about it all, because I had that extra year under my belt and I never actually planned on nominating, so I didn't feel any pressure that I had to get picked up really (in 2003)," Jackson said in an exclusive interview.
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"I was a bit nervous that I wouldn't get picked up by Richmond, because that's where I wanted to be and there was always a risk that another club could pick me up.
"I remember I was playing volleyball at the time and someone sent me a message saying: "Well done, you've been picked up at No.53" and I wondered where I was going, but I got a message back (saying I was at Richmond) and got on with the game, so I was not too fussed about it.
"If it had have been a year later and that was my big chance and I had have finished school, it would have been a pretty nervous day."
Jackson, who has played 16 AFL matches - including 10 this year - offered some advice for 17-year-old draftees.
"All you can say is that their expectation to play senior footy in their first year can't be too high, because at 17 or just turned 18, you've got to be up to it, not just football wise, but skill wise and you need to have a bit of size about you," Jackson said.
"They've just got to make sure they follow the example of the senior players.
"Often guys towards the end of the year, you start to get given games, when there are injuries and the younger guys get a chance, so if you've done the work early and even if you don't expect to get a game, you never know what comes your way."
Looking ahead to 2006, Jackson said he had learned plenty over his first two years.
"We all had a one-on-one interview with (Richmond coach) Terry (Wallace) at the end of the season and he talked about what he thought and we thought of our year and what was to come this season," Jackson said.
"Our discussion was that all of that chopping and changing (position) wasn't really helping me and I don't have enough footy experience to be coming on and off the ground all of the time, because I get a bit lost.
"But in 2006, I'll probably just knuckle down as a backman and running off half-back - it will be that sort of role - and I'll use my athleticism to my advantage and I'll work from there."
1:40:50 PM Mon 28 November, 2005
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au
Versatile Richmond youngster Daniel Jackson understands more than most what it is like to be drafted as a 17-year-old, having been drafted by the Tigers in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft.
Although he still could have been drafted last year, Jackson was taken the first year he was eligible for the draft, as several recruiters believed he had the ability to be a much higher selection, had he been taken in 2004.
In fact, he was so unfazed about being drafted as a 17-year-old that he was playing a volleyball match for Carey Grammar, when he found out he became a Tiger. He conceded "it was a bit different" finding out how he became an AFL-listed player.
"I was pretty relaxed about it all, because I had that extra year under my belt and I never actually planned on nominating, so I didn't feel any pressure that I had to get picked up really (in 2003)," Jackson said in an exclusive interview.
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"I was a bit nervous that I wouldn't get picked up by Richmond, because that's where I wanted to be and there was always a risk that another club could pick me up.
"I remember I was playing volleyball at the time and someone sent me a message saying: "Well done, you've been picked up at No.53" and I wondered where I was going, but I got a message back (saying I was at Richmond) and got on with the game, so I was not too fussed about it.
"If it had have been a year later and that was my big chance and I had have finished school, it would have been a pretty nervous day."
Jackson, who has played 16 AFL matches - including 10 this year - offered some advice for 17-year-old draftees.
"All you can say is that their expectation to play senior footy in their first year can't be too high, because at 17 or just turned 18, you've got to be up to it, not just football wise, but skill wise and you need to have a bit of size about you," Jackson said.
"They've just got to make sure they follow the example of the senior players.
"Often guys towards the end of the year, you start to get given games, when there are injuries and the younger guys get a chance, so if you've done the work early and even if you don't expect to get a game, you never know what comes your way."
Looking ahead to 2006, Jackson said he had learned plenty over his first two years.
"We all had a one-on-one interview with (Richmond coach) Terry (Wallace) at the end of the season and he talked about what he thought and we thought of our year and what was to come this season," Jackson said.
"Our discussion was that all of that chopping and changing (position) wasn't really helping me and I don't have enough footy experience to be coming on and off the ground all of the time, because I get a bit lost.
"But in 2006, I'll probably just knuckle down as a backman and running off half-back - it will be that sort of role - and I'll use my athleticism to my advantage and I'll work from there."