NRL Dragons’ Jackson Ford back on the tools at Gerringong due to coronavirus crisis
One of the hardest working players at the St George Illawarra Dragons is showing the same work ethic off it staying busy during the forced break.
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He is one of the hardest workers at St George Illawarra Dragons on the field and Jackson Ford is showing the same work ethic off it.
The young backrower, who honed his skills as a junior at the Gerringong Lions, is working hard to stay fit and in shape for the NRL when it resumes.
Safely ensconced with his family south of Sydney, Ford has returned to carpentry as a way of earning some money and keeping himself busy and in shape during the NRL’s enforced postponement.
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The 22-year-old said he was thankful he had a career to fall back on during the break, to bring in money, but also to keep him occupied.
“Having something to lean on in case footy doesn’t go your way is really important,” Ford said, in the Dragons’ Top 30 in 2020 as part of his initial three-year deal with the club.
“I think some of the guys have realised it already. It’s been a bit of a wake-up call.
“I’m grateful I have got my apprenticeship done.
“With this work I get to spend most of the day out of the house as well so I’m not going crazy.”
A Dragons’ development player ahead of the 2018 season, Ford made his NRL debut against the Gold Coast Titans in 2019 and was keen to make an early mark in 2020 when the season was put on ice due to the escalation of coronavirus.
Ford said rugby league has been a way of life for as long as he can remember with the tight-knit town of Gerringong fanatical for the sport.
“All my cousins around here play. I’ve got 24 cousins,” he said
“I always loved it as a young fella. I was always a ballboy. I remember playing at half-time and just loving it.”
While most are fearful of putting on weight during isolation, Ford’s goal is to pad out around three kilos
“One of my other goals is to get a bit bigger, heavier,” Ford said.
“I’ve been having like two protein shakes every day and try and make as much food as I can but that’s a bit hard at the moment.
“Food is a bit scarce up at the IGA. There’s not much to buy there at the moment.
“So I’ve been trying to eat a lot of sandwiches to put on weight.
“I struggled to put on weight so I’d be happy with three kilos.”