Murray League: Ex-Footscray VFL star Nick Jamieson thrives for Tongala

A former Footscray VFL best and fairest winner has been a “step above” in the Murray League so far this season with a series of dominant displays.

Nick Jamieson has been in sensational form for Tongala. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

When Tongala signed Nick Jamieson it knew a quality player had walked through the doors.

A VFL premiership player with Footscray in 2016, a best and fairest with the Dogs and VFL team of the year selection followed a year later.

The Murray League club knew Jamieson’s talent would shine through at key times, but they probably didn’t expect it to happen so quickly given how little footy he has played in the past three years.

Before the start of the season, Jamieson had played a total of just 10 games in three all for Old Scotch in 2019, after undergoing a knee reconstruction in 2018.

And like most Victorians was forced to sit on the sidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

But his time in the state’s north has begun in scintillating fashion, named in the Blues’ better players in all five games so far, highlighted by three best on ground displays in a row including Saturday’s five-point win against Deniliquin Rams.

Those performances couldn’t have come at a better time for Tonny who have been without star Northern Territory trio Cam Ilett, Darren Ewing and Jack Monigatti in their past two outings.

Blues’ president Darren Maloney described Jamieson’s start to the season as a “step above the rest”.

“We couldn’t be happier with what Nick has brought to our club,” he said.

“He’s been a great leader for our younger guys and has shown them what is required to play at a higher level.

“His work ethic is outstanding.”

But it’s not just the on field performances that are drawing attention.

“Nick is really committed to what our club is about,” Maloney said.

“He’s putting in a lot of time and effort. There are times where he will turn up to training on a Thursday night which isn’t something he’s always expected to do because of the length of his trip from Melbourne.

“When you see one of your top players doing that it lifts the others around him.”

Tongala is one of only two sides, alongside Mulwala, who remain undefeated after five rounds but Maloney said no one can look too far ahead.

“We’re taking it one week at a time,” he said.

“Our first target is to make finals and then we will go from there. Everyone dreams of playing on the last day of the season but there is a long way to go.

“We’re very fortunate to have a good amount of depth and you just never know when you might need it.”

Tongala and Mulwala will face each other next Saturday.