Wodonga youngster looking to regain top form after knee surgery

Reed Jackson will play his second senior game at home against Wangaratta on Saturday.

“It was pretty disappointing, especially when the team was going so well,” Jackson said.

“Before I did it I was feeling really comfortable in that game (against Lavington), working my way into the middle, it was just a shame.”

The 20-year-old had played mainly wing and forward since debuting in 2015.

He’s now played 20 senior games in that four-year period.

Jackson doesn’t believe his left knee injury has robbed him of pace.

“It’s probably more mental than physical, but I don’t think so too much,” he said.

“I had the support of other players who had done their knee previously.

“(Coach) Zac Fulford did his knee a couple of times, so he helped me along the way.

“I made sure I did my recovery right.”

Wodonga is coming off its best win of the year, a 12-point thriller against North Albury.

“Yeah, it was really exciting because I don’t think most people had faith in us and especially knocking off their finals hopes as well, that’s even better,” he said.

The Bulldogs named Jackson their second best, behind midfielder Jacob Barber.

Jackson had played four games in the reserves prior to his season debut at senior level.

Wodonga suffered one of its biggest losses against Wangaratta in May.

The premiers hammered the Bulldogs, who kicked only one goal, by 185 points.

“We’re looking at it as how far we’ve come since that last time we played them,” Jackson said.

The Pies are third with a 10-four win-loss record and virtually guaranteed a top three finish.

Wodonga is seventh with the four wins.

If it can retain that spot and possibly add two more wins, the season would be a spectacular success.

The Bulldogs lost a stack of players from last year and are basing their resurgence on district players and emerging juniors.

There’s little chance of toppling the Pies and Albury, but the club will fancy itself against Corowa-Rutherglen and Myrtleford in the final rounds.

Meanwhile, vice-captain Josh Hicks will play after he pleaded guilty to striking North’s Julian Hayes in the second quarter and received a reprimand.

Hopper Josh Lloyd pleaded not guility to rough conduct against Hicks in the opening term, but was found guilty and suspended for two games.