The athletic forward with NBL aspirations is set to join a starting five that shapes to be among the SEABL’s most explosive – if they can put the pieces together.

Those pieces fit on paper though – and Jackson knows it.

It’ll be his ability to play multiple positions and help drive the bench unit that could determine a lot of the Bandits’ fortunes this season.

“Looking at myself as a high energy player, I think as a team we’ll be fine,” he said.

“Speaking to (coach) Brad, he’s put together a nice team, it’s going to be big for us if we can get the bench to contribute.” 

Though a nagging shin injury disrupted his last season with the Cairns Taipans development team, (a season Jackson had hoped could catapult him into the NBL) the athletic starting three-man was still optimistic a strong season in the SEABL could lift him to the next level.

Coach Chalmers said he believed the interrupted season in Cairns wouldn’t have dented Jackson’s chances of making an NBL roster next season.

“He’s had an interrupted season with the hotspot on his shin, so hopefully we can get him fit and healthy over the next month and give him that opportunity to build towards that NBL opportunity,” he said.

“I think it’ll be there, whether it be with Cairns or somewhere else, he’ll certainly get his chance to put his name in front those coaches around the league.” 

The Bandits will play a practice match against the Canberra Gunners at 8.30pm on Friday, though Jackson will not take part.