In the lead-up to the 2022 AFL national draft to be held on November 28-29, with Richmond currently holding picks 53 and 63, Tony Greenberg has compiled a list of the Tigers’ all-time top 10 draft selections over pick 50. We are counting them down from 10 to one, and Daniel Jackson comes in today at No. 5.
Daniel Jackson was recruited by Richmond from Carey Grammar at pick 53 overall in the 2003 national draft.
He made his senior league debut with the Tigers as an 18-year-old in Round 16, 2004 against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, picking up 13 possessions, taking three marks and laying five tackles in a solid first-up performance.
During Jackson’s early days at Tigerland, he played predominantly as a defender and struggled to cement a spot in the senior side.
But with his strong build, toughness, stamina, appetite for the contest, and ball-winning ability, Jackson eventually forced his way into Richmond’s midfield, initially being used in a run-with role on the opposition’s most dangerous midfielders.
Jackson’s successful midfield makeover was underlined when he finished runner-up to Brett Deledio in the 2009 Jack Dyer Medal.
Four years later, in 2013, Jackson took his game to another level, playing a more attacking style through the midfield.
He was a significant factor in Richmond breaking a 12-year finals drought through his productive work in the midfield, averaging 22.3 disposals per game and kicking 18 goals.
Jackson’s strong and bold efforts during that season – the 10th of his AFL career – were rewarded when he won the Jack Dyer Medal for the first time.
At 27 years and five months of age, he was the oldest first-time winner of the Best and Fairest award in Tigerland history.
Injuries prevented him from replicating that form on a consistent basis the following season, although he did rack up a career-high 34 disposals in the Round 7, 2014 match against Geelong at the MCG.
On the eve of Richmond’s second successive finals campaign in 2014, Jackson announced his retirement from AFL football, effective immediately, because of the heavy toll injuries had taken on his body.
Jackson had given his all for the Yellow and Black cause in 156 games over the course of a decade.
After a relatively slow start to his AFL career, he had turned himself into an extremely valuable member of the Tigers team.
