Speedster Jackonia exceeds expectations
SPEED demon Brandon Jackonia has asserted himself as more than a project player in his debut season with the Northern Pride under 20s, again showing coach David Scott glimpses of his exciting talent.
Jackonia, a talented junior sprinter and AFL player, scored the Pride’s only try and defended well in their 12-4 loss to the Townsville Blackhawks in Atherton on Saturday after- noon. While the Kangaroos star has been a standout at CDRL level, Scott said the winger had exceeded his expectations this season, developing into a reliable performer.
“It’s funny. I told him at Christmas he may not get much game time,” Scott said after the match.
“At the moment, we’re trying to get him to replicate his CDRL form for us. He rips it up there because he’s a quality athlete and player.
“He’s progressed and developed past where he should be this year.
“Brandon’s got an interesting skill set. There’s a possibility of him developing into a six or seven in the future.
“We’ve tried him at fullback, even at hooker he could be an option in the future. He’s pretty good off the deck. A lot of it is confidence.”
The Pride will be keen to avenge their loss next week against the Victorian Thunderbolts at Yarrabah, with Scott eager to see his charges improve each week. “Townsville are the benchmark in the competition but we’re not far off them,” he said.
“We matched them 95 per cent of the game. I can’t be more proud of the boys and their defensive effort. It was an aggressive game from both teams.
“We’re not far off. We just lacked a little bit of quality and execution at times.
“Evan Child from Brothers is another player who has really developed too.” EASTS TIGERS 26 (Billy Walters, Linc Port, Scott Drinkwater, Shane Neumann tries; Billy Walters 3 goals; Billy Walters 2 penalty goals) d IPSWICH JETS 24 (Michael Purcell 3, Jayden Connors tries; Marmin Barba 2 goals, Wes Conlon 2 goals) NORTHS DEVILS 24 (Alex Bishop, Brandon Lee, John Palavi, Namila Davui tries; Luke Pollock 3 goals, Jack Miers goal) d SOUTHS-LOGAN MAGPIES 22 (Lenny Magey, Paul Rokolati, Jordan Mago, Benaiah Bowie tries; Guy Hamilton 3 goals) NORTHERN PRIDE 13 (Gideon Gela Mosby 2 tries; Jack Clifford 2 penalty goals, Jake Clifford field goal) d TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 10 (Rod Griffin, Jonathon Rueben tries; Levi Dodd goal) CQ CAPRAS 20 (Luke George 2, Chanel Seigafo, Jami Hill tries; Connor Broadhurst 2 goals) d MACKAY CUTTERS 6 (Kule Laybutt try; Jack Joass goal) BURLEIGH BEARS 34 (Tyrone Roberts-Davis 2, Sam Coster, Dallas Wells, Sami Sauiluma, Kurtis Rowe tries; Tyrone Roberts-Davis 4, Josh Rogers goals) d TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 16 (Kody Parsons, Kiah Cooper, Ryland Jacobs tries; Lindon McGrady 2 goals) at Pizzey Park REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 50 (Bryce Donovan 2, Tom Opacic 2, Kotoni Staggs 2, Jonus Pearson, Jamil Hopoate, Tony Tumusa tries; Kotoni Staggs 7 goals) d WYNNUM MANLY SEAGULLS 18 (Stedman Lefau, Kalolo Saitaua, Alex Barr tries; Patrick Templeman 3 goals) PNG HUNTERS 24 (Ase Boas 2, Wawa Paul, Nixon Putt tries; Watson Boas 4 goals) d SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 12 (Jacob Hind, Iliesa Ratuva tries; Ryan Papenhuyzen 2 goals) at Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby Friday 7.30pm: Mackay Cutters v Ipswich Jets (BB Print Stadium Mackay) Saturday 1.10pm: Tweed Heads Seagulls v Wynnum-Manly Seagulls (Ron Stark Oval) 4pm: Burleigh Bears v Norths Devils (Pizzey Park) 4pm: Easts Tigers v Northern Pride (Langlands Park) 5pm: Townsville Blackhawks v Sunshine Coast Falcons (Jack Manski Oval) 6pm: CQ Capras v Souths-Logan Magpies (Barcaldine Showgrounds) Sunday 3pm: PNG Hunters v Redcliffe Dolphins (Oil Search National Football Stadium)