The impact Luke Jackson is having at Fremantle can’t be understated, according to Sam Switkowski.
The 21-year-old has been thrown into the deep end in the ruck with Sean Darcy’s season-ending surgery and Switkowski said Jackson’s ability to act as an ‘extra midfielder’ made it hard for opposition teams to get on top and string goals together.
There were multiple times against Brisbane on Sunday where, after a Lions goal, Fremantle streamed out of the middle on the back of Jackson’s ruck and midfield craft.
He finished the day with 15 contested possessions, five clearances, six inside 50s and he led all players with 437 metres gained.
He was dominant in Champion Data’s Ranking Points, with 26.5 for the game, well ahead of the second-best on the ground in Hugh McCluggage (17.7) and almost 10 more than the next closest Fremantle player Caleb Serong (16.8).
Switkowski said throwing Jackson in the ruck can stop a team in their tracks.
“There’s been a lot of games this year where we’ve let teams get a run on. After they’ve kicked one or two and they’ve turned it into three, four or five goals,” Switkowski said.
“Something in the last couple of weeks, we’ve been able to stem their momentum and ‘Jacko’ is a big part of that.
“He’s had to step up and play ruck, his follow-up work is really strong, it’s almost like having another midfielder in there.
“When he’s up and running, it’s pretty handy for us in there and it's definitely helping us with the clearances.”
With the game on the line in the final term, Jackson teamed up with Caleb Serong to almost will Fremantle over the line.
The 22-year-old Serong had 13 disposals, five contested possessions, four clearances and four inside 50s in another leader’s performance.
Switkowski said Serong’s performance was indicative of his whole season.
“He's been massive all year, he’s probably been our most consistent player,” Switkowski said.
“He’s an absolute workhorse, he’s always working on his craft and his work rate is incredible and that’s why he’s running out games really well.
“He’s leading us really well. I’m super proud of him.”
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