Who is Jackson Thurlow, or, Tasmania’s Finest

First of all, let me begin with a disclaimer: I don’t watch U/18 football, I don’t watch that show with Ben Dixon and Terry “The List Manager” Wallace and I think Kevin “Shifter” Sheehan’s nickname is probably not complimentary. My “knowledge” of all and any draftees expressed below has been gathered solely from five minute YouTube highlight videos and, essentially, consensus reports from the media and World Wide Web. Please remember this if only so I don’t have constantly prefix evaluative sentences with various paraphrased versions of “from all reports”.

Secondly, I’m focusing on who Geelong did pick, not why or who was available and they didn’t pick. Mostly because of the above paragraph.

That in hand, who the heck is Jackson Thurlow?

Let’s start out with some numbers: Thurlow measured in at 189cm and 79kg and was in the top 20% in the jumping and repeat sprint testing at the Draft Combine. His beep test and 3km time trial were average but to be fair he was recovering from multiple facial fractures (and a broken thumb that prevented him from completing the skill sections) which did put him in the top 5% in toughness.

Statistically, he averaged 24.6 disposals and 6.6 marks in the U/18 Championships, got some press with a 45 possession game against Vic Metro and was named All-Australian, as well Tassie’s best player, for the carnival.

How about a quote to break up the numbers: “Jackson has stood out to AFL club recruiting staff this season with his ability to kick the ball very well and make good decisions in traffic, along with this his cleanness of hands both off the ground and in the air,” - Mathew Armstrong, AFL Tasmania’s High Performance Manager.

Skill-wise, Thurlow possesses elite kicking skills and a very natural, smooth action. He is a good finisher in front of goal and his highlight package shows a few difficult chances on the run as well as from distance on the set shot. He also shows the ability to take a contested mark, using his body well in one-on-one contests to protect the drop zone and flying with commitment and courage in a pack situation, attacking the ball with his good leap and showing strong hands.

He seems agile and quick enough, reads the play well and importantly seems a good decision maker, as evidenced by his handball choices which are able to put players into space. He runs hard to provide an option for teammates and is willing to leave his man to influence a contest.

Position-wise, Thurlow has the versatility that Stephen Wells and The Cats have valued over the past few years. He played a number of roles for Tassie during the U/18 championships – midfielder, on a wing, sweeping defender, even key position at either end of the ground – and was seemingly moved to wherever he could help most. Against Vic Metro, for example, the ball spent most of the time in Vic’s front half, therefore so did Thurlow. As previously mentioned, he amassed 45 disposals that game, reading the incoming ball and mopping up as the extra man in the contest.

This seems the role most likely earmarked for him at Geelong, as Chris Scott apparently confirmed to him after his first training session on Tuesday.

“He said he wants me to play a role through half-back and maybe run through the midfield as well,” Thurlow said.

For comparison’s sake, Thurlow is very similar in size to Daniel Menzel (188cm, 79kg) and Billy Smedts (189 & 76), although he may end up playing a role more similar to that of Andrew Mackie (192cm & 87kg) or Corey Enright (187 & 91). And, like Mitch Duncan a couple of years ago, Thurlow has already played senior football, featuring among the best for Launceston in the TSL this past season.

Despite all that, with the influx of senior ready players brought in this off-season, plus the return of a few long term injured players, I wouldn’t expect to see Thurlow in the seniors in 2013 very often, if at all. But that’s not how he sees it.

“The goal is to play round one,'' Thurlow said.

If anything, you gotta like his confidence.