Jackson hasn't played for his junior club after building a house in 2020, while he's currently travelling around Australia with partner Holly Lehmann.

The 23-year-old was in career-best form for the Bulldogs in 2017 before a knee injury ruled him out for around 12 months.

The midfielder-forward returned for give games the following year and played the entire 2019 season, but never recaptured his best.

"That's the standard I want to try and get back to," he admitted.

"There were patches in games when I felt confident, but at other times I felt like I didn't reach my potential, I struggled a bit.

"I think mentally I was putting too much pressure on myself, expecting too much and not going out and playing to enjoy it.

"I'll have a different attitude, I won't have so much high expectations of myself."

Wodonga's finals drought will stretch to 13 years in 2022 but, in a tick of approval for the club, it's buzzing with anticipation of snapping that run after a much improved season under debut coach Jordan Taylor.

"Everything's going well, it will be good to go back and play with some mates there, Ollie Greenhill, the skipper, Jacob Barber, the vice-captain, they're good mates of mine," Jackson enthused.

"I'd love to see myself in the midfield and forward again but, to be honest, I'd be happy to help out where I can and hopefully help the team be successful."

Jackson saw the Bulldogs' improvement during the early rounds, prior to hitting the road in June.

"It was actually Holly's idea, she's always wanted to do remote nursery," he suggested.

The couple spent three months in Alice Springs, with Jackson finding work in his carpentry trade, building an electrical substation.

They just missed a COVID scare in Alice Springs and, perhaps surprisingly but pleasantly, haven't faced any coronavirus issues.

"Our families were wary of it (COVID), but at the same time they were like, 'get out and enjoy it', they were excited, but I think they were happy once we got to our destination," Jackson offered.

He says the whole trip has been a highlight, but admits there has been a financial lowlight.

"I think the thing that shocked us has been the fuel prices," he explained.

"The most we've paid so far is $2.16 (a litre) as you start crossing the Nullarbor (Plain) in South Australia.

"It got the blood boiling a bit (laughs), but it is what it is."

IN OTHER NEWS:

The pair will return home just before Christmas, with Jackson likely to start Bulldogs' pre-season training in January.

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