Jackson pushes case for draft but keeps options open
JACKSON McLachlan has received interest from AFL clubs as he continues to push to be drafted, but he isn’t pinning all his hopes to a career in football.
The 21-year-old staked his claim with clubs at the top level in an excellent season with the Geelong VFL side and finished third in the club best and fairest.
McLachlan is due to complete a finance degree at Deakin University in January and while he is desperate to make it at the top level, he said he would understand if it didn’t happen.
“I’ve had a few conversations (with AFL clubs), some very limited and honest conversations about where I still need to get to, to get there,” he said. “I’ve got to keep building on my game and keep improving and be more consistent, play my best footy week in, week out and put my name up.
“It is what it is, if it happens it happens and if it doesn’t it doesn’t, I’m not going to stress over it too much.
“There’s more to life than footy and if it doesn’t happen I’m more than happy to just do what I’m doing.”
The small forward from St Joseph’s combined leg speed with goal sense to be a threat throughout the year and spent more time in the midfield after building up his endurance in the pre-season. “(VFL coach Shane O’Bree was) happy to throw me in there from time to time and expose me to the midfield a bit more which is good for my development,” McLachlan said. “I felt comfortable in there the more time I played so I’m happy to spend more time there.
“It helps getting backed in by Shane and the coaching staff … once you know you’re settled and backed in by the coaches it gives you peace of mind to back yourself and back your skills.”
behind Rebecca Webster and Jordan Ivey.
She was also voted as Top Cat, an award for the best non-AFLW listed Cat voted on by the GoFooty.Live radio team.
A background of netball and basketball has allowed her to find space in tight situations and impressed the Geelong coaching staff, so much so she spent the pre-season training with the AFLW squad.
A disability support worker, McDonald drives down from Ballarat twice a week for training and again on game day, and is hopeful her season caught the eye of recruiters.
“Like most girls, the end goal is to be drafted to the AFLW and picture perfect it would be with Geelong,” she said.