Jackson joins Bulldog royalty

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs captain Josh Jackson will this weekend join an exclusive group of men who have played 200 or more first grade games for Canterbury.

Since 1935, there have been only 12 players, from the 806 who have played first grade for the club, to play 200 games or more and on Thursday night Jackson will become the 13th player to reach this significant milestone when he runs out for the Bulldogs during their Round 19 clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.

The hard working second rower joins the likes of Hazem El Masri, Steve Mortimer, Terry Lamb, Chris Anderson, Andrew Ryan and current teammate Aiden Tolman who have pulled on the blue and white jersey on more than 200 occasions.

It’s the second celebration of the year for the skipper, having played his 250th club game against the Parramatta Eels in the opening game of the 2020 season.

Born and raised in Gulgong, Jackson’s journey to chase his dream of playing in the NRL began when he moved to Newcastle in 2007 with his parents before playing in the Knights SG Ball side two years later. He would then arrive at Canterbury in 2010.

In his first season with the Bulldogs, he appeared in 27 games for the club’s under 20s side as well as claiming the player-of-the-year award and gained selection in the Junior Kangaroos.

The 2011 season saw Jackson play a further 27 matches with the under 20 side, before staring 2012 in reserve grade and finishing the year with 12 first grade games.

He made his NRL debut against the Melbourne Storm in round 16 when five minutes before kick-off, an unexpected injury to Greg Eastwood elevated Jackson from 18th man to a member of the final 17 in defeating the Storm, 20-4.

From that day on, Jackson has not looked back. He has represented his state, his country, collected the Brad Fittler Medal, been named Dally M Second Rower of the Year on two occasions, won the Provan Summons Medal in 2019 and is now captain of the club that gave him the opportunity to live out a childhood dream.

Since 2012 and from his first nine years in the NRL, he has made 6,634 tackles at an average of 33 per game, scored 24 tries, run for 18,915 metres at an average of 95 per game and has not missed a match through injury.

He is the heart and soul of the Bulldogs. He is a player everyone wants to play with. He leads by his actions. He is selfless. hard working, and one of the most respected leaders and players within the game.

“Everyone that has followed the Bulldogs for a number of years now, realises that Jacko has got Bulldogs DNA in him,” added teammate Adam Elliott.

“He epitomises what this club is about. He’s tough. He’s resilient. He just leaves everything on the footy field and that’s all you can ask of any player. He should be proud of the way he has played,” said Aiden Tolman.

“When you think of the Bulldogs you think of Jacko. He shows up to training everyday with a positive attitude and a hard attitude. He means a lot to the club and he is a special player to play with,” Will Hopoate added.

Jackson lets his actions do the talking and on Thursday night will lead the team out in his 200th appearance wearing the Bulldogs jersey with pride, just like the previous 199.

THE 200 CLUB