Jackson Ferguson in action for Sandringham. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: HeraldSun
THIS isn't how the AFL dream is supposed to work.
St Kilda defender Jackson Ferguson was delisted today at age 21 after five years in the system and one brutal game at the top level.
Ferguson was on the field for less than an hour before he was subbed out. His career stats read three handballs (all effective), four free kicks against.
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Ferguson is one of 93 players who have been cut by their clubs in the past month as they conduct a ruthless review of their lists.
Some take it hard, most disappear from public view with little more than a formatted "the club thanks him for his service" press release.
But perhaps none have worked harder for less reward than Ferguson.
Growing up in western Sydney, he picked up the game quickly after kicking a footy for the first time at age 11. He was spotted by the Saints as a teenager and signed in 2008 on a NSW scholarship.
Ferguson travelled to Melbourne in school holidays to train with the team as it contested three Grand Finals in 2009-10, and won a rookie contract in 2011.
In Round 10 this year - his third on the rookie list - he finally won promotion for his first AFL game against North Melbourne after fighting back from knee surgery that derailed a positive pre-season. St Kilda was hit by a spate of injuries to key defenders and Jackson, at 194cm, got the call.
"I had only played three games in the VFL then I had a bye then I was picked for my first game, so I was a bit raw, but when they ask do you want to play you're not going to say no are you?" he said today.
Saints coach Scott Watters said Ferguson had earned his chance.
"Jackson's selection is a tribute to our recruiting team and the work of our development staff. he only started playing the game at 14 years of age and his improvement over the past 24 months has been a positive," Watters said in May.
Ferguson lined up on Aaron Black and was quickly on the wrong end of a goalkicking avalanche as Black booted four goals in the first quarter.
By halftime the Kangaroos' lead was 61 points and Ferguson was subbed out, never to return.
Kangaroo Aaron Black chases the footy against St Kilda in Round 10 with Sam Fisher in pursuit. That's Jackson on the left. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: HeraldSun
"The best memory is not the game itself but before the game, all the boys getting around you, all the older players trying to help a young bloke in his first game, that was great. The game itself didn't go according to plan," he said.
In the whirlwind, even umpire Ray Chamberlain was giving him advice.
"He kept saying, 'I've told you three times don't hold him', but I said, 'This is the first time you've talked to me'.
"My knee flared up again after that game so I only played two or three games for the rest of the year."
Ferguson said the news his dream is over - at St Kilda, at least - was hard to take, but he didn't have any hard feelings.
"I'm pretty grateful, after they took me in as a 15-16-year-old and I've had one of the best life experiences you can get. I'm pretty happy with what they've given me and they've got to do what they've got to do.
"I'll take it as a kick in the guts and move on."
As a late starter, Ferguson said he had still had plenty of improvement in him and his knee has been given the all-clear. The injury meant more time in the gym and he has added 5kg of muscle.
"It does make you a bit flat, but you can't sit and mope all the time. I'm going to keep training and stay fit and I'll definitely keep having a crack.
"I'm still hungry to play AFL footy."
St Kilda football boss Chris Pelchen thanked Ferguson for his contribution.
"Jackson worked hard to develop his football at St Kilda, ultimately leading to his debut at AFL level this year. We thank him for his contribution to the Saints and wish him every success for the future."
31 Oct, 2013
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/st-kilda-delivers-cruellest-cut-delisting-jackson-ferguson-after-one-game-in-five-years/story-e6frfkp9-1226750760588?from=public_rss
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