RICHMOND midfielder Daniel Jackson says overcoming hamstring tendonitis has allowed him to evolve as a player this season and increase his offensive impact for the Tigers.
After making his name as a run-with player and a defensive forward at times, Jackson has been unleashed for periods this season, averaging 24 possessions over the last five weeks.
Against the Western Bulldogs last Saturday night, Jackson kicked a brilliant checkside goal from the boundary, earning a goal of the year nomination.
While he only missed four games across 2011 and 2012 (all because of suspension), the 27-year-old admitted injuries had stifled his development.
"Everyone takes time to develop, and I think the last two years I was held back a lot by hamstring tendonitis," Jackson said on Tuesday.
"While I could get out there and play, it was really frustrating not being able to train as much as I needed to and perform physically how I knew I could.
"I'm clear of that, I feel fit and healthy, and it's actually been really good after 10 years to be in a side that's ahead of the ledger and looking to play finals.
"That's something myself, Chris Newman, Nathan Foley and Shane Tuck haven't yet experienced."
With five wins from its last six games, Richmond is now in sixth spot and expected to play finals for the first time since 2001.
The club's on-field resurgence has been matched off-field, with the Tigers announcing on Tuesday their membership had passed 60,000 for the first time in their history.
While not shying away from the club's September ambitions, Jackson said the team had not yet achieved anything and couldn't drop its guard this week against St Kilda.
"We saw on the weekend that good teams can be beaten by teams they weren't expected to lose to and we don't want that to be us," he said.
"We've overcome those days. We want to go in every week, put in our best effort and get the result.
"We're playing some good footy and we've won a few good games, but he haven't really achieved anything yet … we've got a lot more work to be done."
