Jackson back to haunt Demons
Luke Jackson stepped up when Fremantle badly needed him, to help clinch a stirring 12.7 (79) to 10.12 (72) win over his former club Melbourne at the MCG.
The Dockers lost Sean Darcy to a hamstring injury midway through the second term, leaving the 21-year-old Jackson with the daunting task of facing Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn on his own, but the former Demon starred with an equal game- high eight clearances, seven score involvements and a goal as his side secured its third win on the trot.
A brilliant left-foot snap from Kysaiah Pickett cut the deficit to two points with less than four minutes remaining, but Bailey Banfield responded immediately with a calm finish.
Late in the third quarter, Jackson followed up his ruckwork to strip Michael Hibberd of the ball and snap a goal around his body from 40m in a sensational play which gave the Dockers a then game-high 10-point lead.
The lead changed hands nine times before Jackson’s goal, but Fremantle kept its nose in front for the last quarter as the Demons were left to rue a number of missed chances, including a late Andrew Brayshaw set shot.
The Demons’ second loss in a row raised serious question marks over whether they have corrected their forward-half woes from last year, finding it difficult to score despite having 55 forward entries.
Jackson played one of the most impressive games of his short career since moving home to join the Dockers.
When he wasn’t on the ball in the early stages, he was forward manning Territorian Steven May, who only took two marks in the first half.