FERGUSON, Jackson

[Squizzy1970]

DT = $80,400 SC = $91,700

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=104424

Height: 193cm
Weight: 83kg
DOB: 23/10/92
Club: Holroyd/Parramatta / NSW/ACT Rams (NSW)

Bio: Strong, tall defender. Surprisingly quick on his feet for a big man. Jackson was drafted Pick #72, 2010 Rookie Draft after previously being part of the Saints' NSW Scholarship program.

What type of player are you?
An athletic tall defender or forward with a penetrating kick, good in one-on-one contests.

Which AFL player do you feel you resemble and why?
I feel I resemble an Adam Goodes-type player. I have height, speed, good skills and agility, and I am versatile.

What are your strengths as a footballer?
My speed for a tall player, a penetrating kick, a good kick for goal on the run and from a set shot, good spoiling ability and I am a team player.

What parts of your game would you like to improve?
My endurance, so that I keep going at a high intensity for longer.

Which AFL team do you support and how did you come to barrack for them?
St Kilda - I came to barrack for them because I have a scholarship with the club. Before that, I never really had a team.

[Squizzy1970]

http://www.saints.com.au/news/newsar...4/default.aspx (http://www.saints.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5315/newsid/111774/default.aspx)

Footballers take a variety of unique paths to become AFL players and 18 year old St Kilda rookie Jackson Ferguson is one such example.

Growing up in rugby heartland, New South Wales, Ferguson bucked the trend initially by playing soccer as a youth before turning to Australian rules football.

“I actually started off playing soccer and then got sick of it. My mum wouldn’t let me play Rugby League so I then tried AFL and picked it up straight away,” said Ferguson.

Ferguson’s journey to the St Kilda Football Club began when he was spotted by scouts at a state carnival in Sydney and was approached two weeks later.

“About two weeks after the carnival St Kilda called me, and a bunch of other AFL Clubs called me as well, offering me scholarships,” he said.

“Danny Ryan, current St Kilda Player Development Manager at the Saints, was actually my coach at the time [in Sydney] and he was working as a scout for the Club; because I knew Danny I decided to go to the Saints.”

“I see myself as a defender, who can also play forward, …but I can play a number of roles.”

“I can play as a key defender on talls, but last weekend I was running off half-back,” said Ferguson.

At just 18 years of age Ferguson still has plenty of development ahead of him, but be sure to keep a close eye on this promising and unique recruit.

[Squizzy1970]

#45 Jackson "Jacko" Ferguson

Thankfully Jacko's brother broke his leg playing rugby, as he was banned by his mum and instead went to play "AFL".

194cm and quick, he idolises Adam Goodes as a player.

Early season signs were good that he also has good AFL qualities.

But as an 18yo key position player it was never going to be that easy.

Whilst able to kick 50m+, the need to kick with precision (to ensure the ball didn't come straight back) became evident. And learning how to keep touch on an opponent whilst watching the flight of the ball is not an easy skill.

6 VFL seniors games yielded an average of 12 possessions (his more productive games being at the start of the year).

He played 4 VFL reserves matches and averaged 20 possessions, including games with an injured shoulder.

The club decided in round 14 to send him for surgery to ensure he was ready to commence pre-season.

The arrival of Hudghton will hopefully provide some acceleration of his footy knowledge to complement his natural development.

An injury-free year should see Jacko become a strong prospect for the Saints in the years to come.