“It’s such a small window from 17 to 18-and-a-half. If we can give more people hope and opportunity, then it’s a great thing for young Australians.” - Former Geelong coach Mark Thompson.
Jackson Coleman has always been torn between two loves – cricket and football.
It’s a common right of passage for many young sportsmen as Jonno Nash reports.
Following the expiration of Coleman’s cricket Victoria contract at the end of last year, the talented forward has opted to pursue the latter. Well, at least for this season anyway.
“At the moment I am enjoying football. Obviously I want to have a crack at football and see where that takes me because it’s my first passion. I just have more hunger to succeed in football rather than cricket,” Coleman said.
It’s an ambition that has been largely fostered by Coleman’s father, Glenn, who played 194 games for Fitzroy, Sydney and Footscray.
This year, the Sandringham Dragons granted the Haileybury College graduate one of their under-19 positions.
The ex-Melbourne Cricket club player will be 19 for all of the football season and according to Sandringham Dragons Region Manager Ryan O’Connor, the cricket convert was the perfect fit for the under-19 position.
“The 19-year-old rule’s there for someone, for whatever reason, in their top age year haven’t had an opportunity to be able to show their wears at TAC Cup level and someone, in our opinion, who has grounds to be considered a draftable player and needs to have that opportunity to play and also to be in the system,” O’Connor said.
“He’s all of that criteria.”
Coleman’s preseason was interrupted by his extensive cricket commitments, which has impacted on his football preparations. O’Connor recalls an unfit Coleman struggling to get through simple football drills.
“In cricket he’s a fast bowler so once he went any further than 20 metres or so in the run up he was blowing,” he said.
“We really only had four weeks before the season to work with him.”
Last year Coleman represented Australia in their successful under-19 world cup campaign. Even though the fast-bowler netted just one game, he still describes the tour as a good experience.
The raw 194cm talent has only played school football and is still developing his football nous and match fitness and is expected to make his presence felt at the back-end of the season.
Coleman is already frightening his opposition. The young forward-go-ruck is averaging 17 disposals and three goals a game. He had a day out in his second game for the year in round five when he kicked eight goals against Bendigo in his side’s 94-point victory.
No doubt that performance turned some heads.
The rise of this untried footballer has been metaphoric, but the modest Dragon says his performances have been “not too bad” and is excited that he has been able to build on each week’s outing.
“I’m finding as the weeks go on, my body’s adapting, my fitness is getting a lot better and I think it can only improve with the more games I play,” Coleman said.
“I’m doing everything I can do play my best football and be the complete player.”
Certainly the Dragons are pleased with what Coleman has been able to produce so early in the year.
“He’s a pretty exciting package, I believe and he’s a kid that’s had ability to be top level in a number of sports and given the opportunity I think he’s got what it takes to make that next step. Now it’s just up to him,” O’Connor said.
“I definitely think he’s a draftable talent and in saying that, he still needs to be consistent with his form, train well and all those things in football.”
Last Modified on 30/05/2011 14:56