Mobbenfuhrer
2 Apr 2003, 16:02
From the Wimmera Mail-Times - http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/home.asp
Article - http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=local&category=general%20sport&story_id=218920&y=2003&m=4
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Jackson set for return to Ararat
Dean Lawson
Tuesday, 1 April 2003
WIMMERA Football League Toohey Medallist Matthew Jackson, 26, has `pulled the pin' on a bid to play in the SANFL and will line up for Ararat this season.
The clever on-baller confirmed yesterday that he had abandoned plans to play with North Adelaide and had already rejoined the Rats at training.
Jackson, who won Wimmera League's best-and-fairest trophy in a landslide last season, also dismissed rumors that he would join a handful of Ararat players shifting camp to Mininera District League club Tatyoon.
``I'm still registered with Ararat and although I've been a bit unsure of what I'm going to do, I'd say I'm a 100 per cent chance to play with Ararat.
Tatyoon is not really an option,'' Jackson said.
Jackson said he had considered his options, and hadn't dismissed a last-minute attempt at forcing his way into a North Ballarat side in the VFL.
He said he had played in a practice match with the Roosters' reserves side on Saturday.
``The thing with North Ballarat is that they already have their list. I'd rather try to play the best footy I can while I can - that's why I went to Adelaide. So, I really haven't got a lot of options but to stay with Ararat,'' he said.
Jackson revealed off-field arrangements with North Adelaide had weighed heavily in his decision to come home.
``As much as I enjoyed the football side of things, the hassle of living there was just too great.
``I think the coach was keen for me to stay. After we finished practice matches on the Saturday I went and saw him and he said there was
definitely a spot for me in the team, possibly in a couple of weeks.
``But I had a meeting with the club chief executive officer on Monday and asked if they could help out with living arrangements. He ummed and ahhed so I said `I'll make it easy, I'm going home'. Work in the wine industry they had also talked about didn't happen.
``But I can't complain about the footy side of things,'' Jackson said.
He said he was looking forward to playing with Ararat's crop of rising young talent.
``The kids are the key. There are blokes like Ash Bryant who's fit and should get a spot in the forward line. It should be good,'' he said.
Ararat coach David Jenning was delighted with news of Jackson's return.
``We're rapt to have him back. Obviously we would have liked him to be still having a go in Adelaide and we'll fully support him if he wants to have a dip with North Ballarat,'' Jennings said.
``But we're just glad that he's seen fit to return to Ararat, his home club.''
Jackson will put his usual match-winning spark into an engine room that, in his absence, was looking leaner on paper than in previous years.
Ararat had a hit-out in a practice game against Hampden League club Warrnambool, losing by about 40 points but going into the game without half a dozen regular senior players.
Ararat crashed in last year's grand final against Warrack Eagles and plays Horsham at home at Alexandra Oval in a season opener on Saturday.
Article - http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=local&category=general%20sport&story_id=218920&y=2003&m=4
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jackson set for return to Ararat
Dean Lawson
Tuesday, 1 April 2003
WIMMERA Football League Toohey Medallist Matthew Jackson, 26, has `pulled the pin' on a bid to play in the SANFL and will line up for Ararat this season.
The clever on-baller confirmed yesterday that he had abandoned plans to play with North Adelaide and had already rejoined the Rats at training.
Jackson, who won Wimmera League's best-and-fairest trophy in a landslide last season, also dismissed rumors that he would join a handful of Ararat players shifting camp to Mininera District League club Tatyoon.
``I'm still registered with Ararat and although I've been a bit unsure of what I'm going to do, I'd say I'm a 100 per cent chance to play with Ararat.
Tatyoon is not really an option,'' Jackson said.
Jackson said he had considered his options, and hadn't dismissed a last-minute attempt at forcing his way into a North Ballarat side in the VFL.
He said he had played in a practice match with the Roosters' reserves side on Saturday.
``The thing with North Ballarat is that they already have their list. I'd rather try to play the best footy I can while I can - that's why I went to Adelaide. So, I really haven't got a lot of options but to stay with Ararat,'' he said.
Jackson revealed off-field arrangements with North Adelaide had weighed heavily in his decision to come home.
``As much as I enjoyed the football side of things, the hassle of living there was just too great.
``I think the coach was keen for me to stay. After we finished practice matches on the Saturday I went and saw him and he said there was
definitely a spot for me in the team, possibly in a couple of weeks.
``But I had a meeting with the club chief executive officer on Monday and asked if they could help out with living arrangements. He ummed and ahhed so I said `I'll make it easy, I'm going home'. Work in the wine industry they had also talked about didn't happen.
``But I can't complain about the footy side of things,'' Jackson said.
He said he was looking forward to playing with Ararat's crop of rising young talent.
``The kids are the key. There are blokes like Ash Bryant who's fit and should get a spot in the forward line. It should be good,'' he said.
Ararat coach David Jenning was delighted with news of Jackson's return.
``We're rapt to have him back. Obviously we would have liked him to be still having a go in Adelaide and we'll fully support him if he wants to have a dip with North Ballarat,'' Jennings said.
``But we're just glad that he's seen fit to return to Ararat, his home club.''
Jackson will put his usual match-winning spark into an engine room that, in his absence, was looking leaner on paper than in previous years.
Ararat had a hit-out in a practice game against Hampden League club Warrnambool, losing by about 40 points but going into the game without half a dozen regular senior players.
Ararat crashed in last year's grand final against Warrack Eagles and plays Horsham at home at Alexandra Oval in a season opener on Saturday.