Valuable Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson is reaping the rewards of a return to full fitness this year.

Jackson, who battled a nagging hamstring problem for a couple of years, is in career-best form in season 2013, averaging 21.4 disposals per match and figuring prominently in several key on-field categories at the Club.

He is ranked No. 4 for total disposals, No. 3 for contested possessions, No. 2 for inside-50 entries and No. 1 for tackles.

The 27-year-old veteran of 138 league games produced a best-on-ground performance in last Saturday’s gritty win against Gold Coast at Cairns’ Cazalys Stadium, helping negate the brilliance of Suns’ dynamic captain Gary Ablett, while winning plenty of ball himself (24 disposals), constantly driving the Tigers forward in the trying conditions, and kicking two crucial goals in the low-scoring battle.

“I finally shook my ‘hammy’ tendinitis last pre-season, got a lot of one-on-one time with my kicking and decision-making, and it’s certainly paid off,” Jackson said.

“I think a lot of it comes with consistency and confidence.  I’ve got a bit more of that this year and that seems to have showed in games – being able to get forward and kick a few goals (an equal-career high 10 goals so far this season), which is something I’ve never really done in the past . . .

“But it’s about doing the little things, and that’s what I pride myself on.

“I’ll never be a flashy, star player.  But if I can grind out the contest and work hard, then I can get myself a happy career, however long that lasts.”