Walyalup (Fremantle) coach Justin Longmuir hinted he will stick fat with the Dockers’ two-ruck set-up if Sean Darcy is cleared fit for this weekend’s clash with Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide).
Darcy sat out last weekend’s win over Greater Western Sydney with a jarred knee, with Luke Jackson playing as the No.1 ruck and dominating with 21 disposals and 32 hit-outs and seven clearances against Kieren Briggs.
Having spent the lead-up in the spotlight over talks he wants to request a trade at the end of the season, Longmuir praised Jackson for blocking out the noise.
“It was really admirable the way he was able to put that noise and distraction behind him and really focus on his role and do what he did on the weekend,” he said on 7News.
“We saw his talent come to the fore and really led the midfield well, and I’m proud of his efforts after the week he had.
Jackson said he felt playing as the No.1 ruck brings out the best in his game.
I love being around the ball, and I feel like that brings out my strengths as a player,” Jackson told 6PR.
