Tigers' Daniel Jackson could miss AFL opener (SBS)

[one-eyed]

Tigers' Jackson could miss AFL opener
AAP
UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

Richmond's reigning best and fairest winner Daniel Jackson shapes as a likely absentee for their round-one AFL match against Gold Coast.

Jackson was supposed to play in Friday's pre-season game against Essendon at Punt Rd, but he remains sidelined.

It means that if the midfielder is picked for the season opener against the Suns on March 15, he will go into the away game without any AFL-level match practice.

Jackson is Richmond's No.1 match-up for Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett in the midfield.

The Tigers' onballer has been listed as having a groin injury.

But when asked about Jackson on Wednesday, coach Damien Hardwick would only describe the issue as "management".

As expected, key forward Jack Riewoldt will return for the match against the Bombers.

"Jackson is probably a couple of weeks away," Hardwick told AAP.

"He's running okay, we just have to make sure we manage him.

"He's touch and go for round one.

"He could be in the frame for round one, but it's a bit like a lot of guys who haven't played game time.

"Gary Ablett is the same, but he's a good player, so do you rush him in or take your time?"

In round 16 last season, Jackson earnt three Brownlow votes when he kept Ablett to 26 possessions.

"He played a terrific game against him last year, obviously," Hardwick said.

"Gary still got a Brownlow vote, but we thought Jacko had the better end of the duel."

Hardwick said Jackson's first Jack Dyer Medal as the club best and fairest winner was a just reward, but wants him to keep improving.

"People within these walls realise how important he is for this footy club," Hardwick said.

"Maybe a lot of people outside the Richmond footy club don't give him the respect he deserves, but he's an incredible leader and an incredible player.

"The challenge for Jacko is to maintain that consistency and become highly thought of as a very good player in the competition."

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/03/06/tigers-jackson-could-miss-afl-opener

[Eat_em_Alive]

If it was against Carlton I would be as worried but we will definitely miss him against the suns..
Omnious signs 

[bojangles17]

My mail is he is a non starter, Thomas comes in, and will go alright too, just quietly

[Coach]

Jacko is a big loss. Any mail on Astbury BJ? See him holding down a spot as a defender this year?

[bojangles17]

Jacko is a big loss. Any mail on Astbury BJ? See him holding down a spot as a defender this year?

Yes I do, thought he was stiff to be dropped as he came into form at end of last season, was good against the pies and the mail was he towelled Daniher , pencil him in as a certain starter CHB 

[YellowandBlackBlood]

Jacko is a big loss. Any mail on Astbury BJ? See him holding down a spot as a defender this year?

Yes I do, thought he was stiff to be dropped as he came into form at end of last season, was good against the pies and the mail was he towelled Daniher , pencil him in as a certain starter CHB 

I was there and you don't need to rely on mail BJ.  He did towel up Daniher.

[Chuck17]

If BJ mail was  correct we would start the game with 36 players on the field

[Stripes]

Dimmas post match press conference was interesting - reading between the lines it looks like he is making preparations for Jackson to miss the game and cover Ablett with multiple rotating opponents instead. Foley, Grimes , Knights and Kingy all need more game time so we could see all miss round one. I'd be surprised if King misses though imo. Was impressed by Thomas so he's a lock for the No. 1 rookie elevation spot. Was also very pleased with Astbury, Griffiths and McDonough - the first two are givens to play round one while I doubt McDonough will play just yet. Did say that he frees up and Houli or Dusty though when he plays well. 

Vickery and Cotch will play. Jack is rusty but he expects him to improve over the week at training. Didn't mention Elton but I though he was terrific.

[tigs2011]

King was poo today in the VFL. Shouldn't get a gig.

[Yeahright]

Was impressed by Thomas so he's a lock for the No. 1 rookie elevation spot.

Don't get me wrong I have been impressed too but I don't see why people think he's a lock above Miles, thought Miles has been at minimum at par with Thomas with the advantage of being a young player.

[Willy]

Bigger body. More experience.
Thomas for now. Myles for the future.

[Diocletian]

Looking forward to reading all the meltdowns over Thomas and his "disposal" along with the cries of "should've elevated Banfield/Miles instead" on here when the real stuff starts.

Hartley obviously misunderstood when instructed to target "that butcher from Port".

[the claw]

Dimmas post match press conference was interesting - reading between the lines it looks like he is making preparations for Jackson to miss the game and cover Ablett with multiple rotating opponents instead. Foley, Grimes , Knights and Kingy all need more game time so we could see all miss round one. I'd be surprised if King misses though imo. Was impressed by Thomas so he's a lock for the No. 1 rookie elevation spot. Was also very pleased with Astbury, Griffiths and McDonough - the first two are givens to play round one while I doubt McDonough will play just yet. Did say that he frees up and Houli or Dusty though when he plays well. 

Vickery and Cotch will play. Jack is rusty but he expects him to improve over the week at training. Didn't mention Elton but I though he was terrific.

going by that we could end up something like

b/  morris - chaplin - rance
hb/  houli - astbury - vlastuin
c/  deledio - martin - ellis
r/ hampson - cotchin - miles/grigg  hoping miles.
hf/ gordon/petterd - riewoldt - lloyd/mcdonough/king.  hoping we play gordon and lloyd.
f/ s edwards - vickery - griffiths

int/ thomas - newman - conca - grigg.

regulars definately in doubt jackson, king, foley, grimes,knights, petterd, maric, a edwards.

[YellowandBlackBlood]

Looking forward to reading all the meltdowns over Thomas and his "disposal" along with the cries of "should've elevated Banfield/Miles instead" on here when the real stuff starts.

Hartley obviously misunderstood when instructed to target "that butcher from Port".

Thomas plays a very important role in the team.  We don't want our premium players to be risking their lives continually under packs and feeding the ball out.  That is his job - a job left vacant by the retirement of Tuck.
His disposal by hand is first class,  His short passing is good too.  He may not be able to shoot 50m bullet passes but hey, that's why we have the premium guys.
And he is a human battering ram - a role that must not be undervalued.

[the claw]

Looking forward to reading all the meltdowns over Thomas and his "disposal" along with the cries of "should've elevated Banfield/Miles instead" on here when the real stuff starts.

Hartley obviously misunderstood when instructed to target "that butcher from Port".

Thomas plays a very important role in the team.  We don't want our premium players to be risking their lives continually under packs and feeding the ball out.  That is his job - a job left vacant by the retirement of Tuck.
His disposal by hand is first class,  His short passing is good too.  He may not be able to shoot 50m bullet passes but hey, that's why we have the premium guys.
And he is a human battering ram - a role that must not be undervalued.

i agree i reckon we took him as a short term replacement for tuck. as long as he plays an inside role and is mostly handballing and doing the bollocking work he could become a role player.
what other big bodied inside  option is there anyway. if we need a big inside mid hes the only option in a way.

where i agree with diocletion is his foot skills they are deplorable.  along with his foot disposal and dodgy decision making at afl level i have real issues with his pace and his ability to find enough inside ball regularly. port cut him for a reason and at 27yrs i dont think too many leopards can change their spots.