Luke Jackson has officially landed at Fremantle and now begins the next chapter of his career, but how close did he come to choosing West Coast?
The Melbourne premiership ruck-forward admits he met with both WA sides, but knew the Dockers were the team for him.
“It’s just been a little bit of talk (with West Coast). I met in the bye break with the Eagles as well and they had a really good pitch, but when I met with Freo I knew it was right for me and the opportunity just felt right,” Jackson told Sportsday WA.
“I wasn’t homesick, but it has been hard to get home with COVID happening. I missed my family because it was hard to get flights. Just really happy to be back home and in a familiar spot.”
Jackson’s manager Jason Dover revealed aspects of the role Fremantle pitched to his client.
“Part of the presentation they did to Luke had a bit about his role and Luke had communicated to them that he didn’t want to be seen as just a ruckman and they certainly didn’t see him as just a ruckman,” Dover told Sportsday.
“They presented to him on a number of roles, there’s a mix of forward, ruck and potentially midfield and wing he even put his hand up and cheekily said he’d play back if it suited them.
“I think you need an open mind as to where he can play his best footy and he can stay on the ground more and play a larger percentage of game time.”
The trade period will remain busy for Fremantle, with Rory Lobb and Lloyd Meek still wanting out and Jeremy Sharp wishing to come in from Gold Coast.