Josh Jackson played 11 seasons of top-flight rugby league for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from 2012 - 2022 and ran out on 241 occasions for the Club.
Josh was born in Gulgong, NSW and played junior football for the Gulgong Bull Terriors and the Mudgee Dragons.
He joined the Bulldogs in 2010 where he played for the NYC team for two seasons and over 50 games before being elevated to the Bulldogs NSW Cup reserve-grade team in 2012.
In Round 16 of the 2012 NRL season, Josh made his debut against the Melbourne Storm. Later that same year, he would run out to make his first NRL Grand Final appearance.
Despite finishing as runners-up that year, Josh had earned himself a reputation as an uncompromising, rugged and hard-workign second-rower.
In 2013, Josh was selected for the Country team in the annual City vs Country Origin match.
A season later, he was selected for the Australian Kangaroos for the Four Nations tournament. Josh made his Test debut in Australia's 44-18 win over Samoa, and was later selected in the final against New Zealand, which Australia lost 22-18.
Josh played 28 games for Canterbury in the 2014 NRL season as the Club reached the 2014 NRL Grand Final against South Sydney, but were defeated 30-6 at ANZ Stadium.
On May 3, 2015, Josh played for New South Wales Country against New South Wales City in the 2015 City vs Country Origin.
In 2016, Josh received the Brad Fittler Medal as New South Wales best player in that year's Origin series.
The Bulldogs named the tough forward, as the Club's Player of the Year in 2017 at the annual Awards Night. The NSW Origin representative, was his usual model of consistency, winning seven Player's Player Awards and leading from the front on the field, averaging 12 runs, 105 metres gained and 32 tackles per game.
Josh was again dubbed Mr Consistent throughout the 2018 season. Taking on the Captaincy post after the departure of James Graham, he led from the front in both his attitude to training and performances on the field. Respected by his team mates and opposition alike, he continued to embody the spirit of this great Club. Josh finished the season with 3 tries, 16 offloads, 829 tackles, 2259 running metres and a tackle efficiency of 89.6% from 24 matches.
In 2019, his second year as captain, Josh continued to represent what the Bulldogs are all about and lead the way through performance and example both on and off the field. Josh played in every game for the club in 2019 and finished the season with 3 tries, 16 offloads, 903 tackles, 2482 running metres and a tackle efficiency of 90.2% from 24 matches. He was awarded the Les Johns Bulldogs Clubman of the Year.
In December 2019, Josh re-signed with the club for a further three seasons.
2020 saw the Captain feature in 20 matches for the Club, and join an exclusive group of men who have played over 200 or more first grade games for Canterbury. Josh became the 13th player player to reach this significant milestone in the Club's history when he played his 200th match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Josh played in every game for the Club in 2020 and from his 20 appearances he made 700 tackles, 1941 running metres and a tackle efficiency of 90.2%. This year will see the Captain move into his tenth season with the Bulldogs.
He played 17 games in 2021 and then made 23 further appearances for the Club in 2022, where he made 900 tackles, 1814 running metres, and held a tackle efficiency of 94.1%.
In the pre-season of 2023, Josh announced his retirement but agreed to terms to stay on at the Club in an official capacity, taking up a Strength and Conditioning post and looking to give back to up-and-coming players through the Bulldogs Academy.
On Sunday, 19 February, Josh (Bulldog #744) was nominated to receive the honour of Life Membership with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at the Club's 88th Annual General Meeting. His nomination was approved by unanimous vote and he had Life Membership bestowed on him alongside fellow Bulldog, Aiden Tolman.
The pair were acknowledged and celebrated at the NRL Pre-Season Challenge at Belmore Sports Ground later that day.
