His AFL hopes on hold, McLachlan staying positive
HE was dubbed Geelong’s best draft prospect out of its VFL program but coronavirus hasn’t stopped Jackson McLachlan from chasing his AFL aspirations.
Geelong VFL operations manager Nathan Tweddle said in March the 170cm forward could not be ignored if he put together another impressive state league campaign.
McLachlan had a top-three finish in the club’s best-andfairest last year and showed enough to receive AFL interest.
The Cats have been renowned for rewarding strong VFL performances with a shot at AFL level, with Tom Stewart and Tom Atkins successfully making the jump.
McLachlan, 22, said he was keeping a positive mindset.
“It makes it hard because it pushes me back another year,” McLachlan said of his draft hopes.
“I’m sure once training comes back and games come back, the fire will definitely come back in my belly to have a crack.
“It’s a weird one at the moment. I haven’t really thought about it too much (about) the longer term. In the short term, I just want to get out there and get playing again.”
The St Joseph’s premiership player has made 29 VFL appearances across the previous two seasons and was preparing to enhance his credentials this year.
“I was definitely going to do everything I could,” he said.
“(I) had a few chats with a few blokes, with ‘Tweeds’ (Tweddle) and those sort of blokes and the time this year would have been to really have a crack and see if I was good enough.”
McLachlan has been busy putting kilometres through his legs and a recent start as a financial adviser as helped keep his mind occupied as uncertainty hovers over the state league season.
It's already been ruled that
AFL-listed players will not be allowed to participate in the VFL.
McLachlan said he would return to St Joseph’s if it meant getting a game, if local football gets a start.
“The news is coming from ‘Tweeds’ and people above us, they’re not sure what’s going on either so it’s hard to be motivated to get up for a season this year,” he said.
“If VFL doesn’t get up, hopefully local will get up and going. (I) just want to get a game wherever I can … (but) it’s not looking great for local footy either.”