Mt Barker’s Zach Jackson says Kleemann Medal-winning season has brought back his love of the game

Dominant Mt Barker ball winner Zach Jackson was rewarded for his outstanding first season in the Great Southern Football League, announced a joint winner of the Kleemann Medal on Thursday night. In the 64th edition of the count, Jackson and Railways’ Matt Palfrey shared the Great Southern Football League’s top individual honour with 21 votes. Jackson was the Bulls’ boom recruit this season and he produced a stellar first season with the club — one he says has reinvigorated his love of footy. The 23-year-old spent four years in the WAFL with East Fremantle, playing 14 league games before returning to his junior club Canning Vale last year. Jackson is close friends with brothers Scott and Josh Price and Keegan Berry who helped him get to the Bulls for 2022, and said it was a huge honour to become a Kleemann medallist. “I’m really privileged to win it,” he said. “This season has brought back the passion for footy again. “I didn’t have any expectations coming down but obviously the way the season has panned out and to win the medal, I just couldn’t be happier. “It wasn’t really the plan (playing in the GSFL), things didn’t pan out as I’d thought in Perth and I had a few of my best mates down at Barker. “But I wouldn’t have changed anything, it’s been one of my best seasons for sure.” Jackson played all 15 games in the regular season for the Bulls and also won the leading goal kicker award. He said it was always going to be a close count with Palfrey. “I knew I was a chance but I thought maybe Palfrey was going to get me,” Jackson said. “It probably played out the best way with us both winning. “I played half-back probably the last four seasons, so this has been a very different role. “I’ve loved it down forward and it’s been good to get on the end of a few goals. “I wouldn’t have had the season I’ve had without my teammates. “The guys that have welcomed me with open arms and fit in with them and play my role and that’s telling for us finishing second on the ladder.” Jackson polled five best-afield performances and attracted votes in four other games to become the first Bulls player since Sam Lehmann in 2011 to win the prestigious honour. Jackson is the older brother of Melbourne Demons young gun Luke Jackson and said the much sought-after 20-year-old was one of the first people to congratulate him. “He’s really proud of me,” Jackson said. “He reached out on Thursday night. “The family were keeping up to date with everything so they were stressing out a bit but it was a good ending.” Jackson is undecided on where he will play next year but said he was open to a return to WAFL following his wonderful season in country football.