Jackson trusted in thick of action

JACKSON Thurlow can’t quite put his finger on why he has posted career-best numbers in three of his last four games for Geelong, but has one idea.

The 21-year-old racked up 30 possessions, seven marks and three tackles in the Cats’ win over Collingwood on Friday night.

This followed the former Launceston player posting 19 possessions, six marks and three tackles in Round 3 against Gold Coast and 21 possessions and six marks against Richmond in Round 5.

Thurlow, who was taken by the Cats with pick 16 in the 2012 national draft, told the Mercury that he didn’t have a definitive answer for his strong recent form but thinks it might be due to his increased standing at the club.

“The coaches seem to have more confidence in me getting the ball in my hands, they want me to have more of it and I think I’m gradually gaining the trust of the other players,” he said.

“They (they players) are giving me a lot of the ball and it’s good that they have the confidence in me to trust me with a lot of the ball.”

Thurlow’s first game of career best numbers this season was his first of the season after suffering a lacerated kidney before Christmas.

He said it was a relief to finally get back on the paddock.

“I’m enjoying playing at the moment. I missed pre-season so it’s been good to be back out there,” Thurlow said.

It hasn’t just been Thurlow himself pleased with his return from injury.

Since he came back into the Cats’ side for the Round 3 match against the Suns, Geelong has won three of the four games he has played after losing their opening two.

Particularly impressive was the way they desposed of Collingwood under the Friday night spotlight, with Thurlow saying it had proved some of their critics wrong.

“It was a very good game for our footy club. I think we’re going to go on from here,” he said.

“The way we played in the first half was like the Geelong of old.

“We don’t really like to refer to that even though we are quite a new team but it was really impressive the way we played and internally we believe we can compete with anyone.”

Thurlow and the Cats travel to Sydney to take on the Swans at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. The Swans sit fourth on the ladder while the Cats are twelfth.