Why Andrew Ryan believes Josh Jackson’s was always destined to captain Canterbury

PREMIERSHIP winning Canterbury captain Andrew Ryan believes it’s no coincidence Josh Jackson has been appointed Bulldogs skipper.

Bulldogs Josh Jackson I shackled by St George's Tim Lafai during the Bulldogs v St George rugby league match at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello

PREMIERSHIP winning Canterbury captain Andrew Ryan believes it’s no coincidence Josh Jackson has been appointed Bulldogs skipper.

Ryan has fond memories of the day he met Jackson as a dedicated junior coming through the ranks at Belmore.

“Jacko was always in the gym doing extras,” Ryan reflected.

“He came down from Newcastle as a junior, but he was giving himself every opportunity to be an NRL player and that really stood out to me.

“The great thing about him is that he hasn’t changed since the second I met him.

“He is just a hardworking and straight up and down guy. I loved reading his quotes about what it meant to him to be Bulldogs captain.

Jackson is one of Canterbury’s most wholehearted players.

“It was really great to see.”

Fittingly, an emotional Jackson paid homage to Ryan when he was anointed captain in front of family and friends in Terrigal on Wednesday night.

He says the man nicknamed ‘Bobcat’ was his idol growing up in Gulgong and now he wants to emulate his leadership style at the Dogs.

Ryan is equally in awe of Jackson and says the NSW Origin representative possesses the traits of a strong leader.

“Jacko leads by example,” he said.

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“I didn’t get to play alongside Dean Pay, but I remember watching him as a captain at Parramatta in my early days and Dean was an actions man.

“Guys like Nathan Cayless and Danny Buderus were the same and they lead through their actions.

“Jacko is that type of player as well.

“You know what you are going to get out of him every week. He is really popular with the group because he is a team man and everyone loves him.”

Ryan says Jackson’s team first mentality was on display in November when he organised a bus for the current players to watch a cast of former Canterbury stars play in a legends match in Gosford.

Jackson will take over as Canterbury captain.

“I thought that said a lot about Jacko,” he said.

“The players came in the sheds after the game and hung out. “The playing group at the club are doing some great things at the moment.”

Ryan is so pleased to see Jackson appointed Canterbury captain, he sent him a personal message.

“I dropped Jacko a text to say I’m really happy for him,” he said.

“He knows I’m always there if he ever needs any help or wants someone to have a chat to.

“It’s unreal. I heard the news and I couldn’t be happier for him.

“He is a champion guy. I remember watching him come through the under 29s system and now he has become a high quality rep player.”

Originally published as Why Andrew Ryan believes Josh Jackson’s was always destined to captain Canterbury