AFL 2022: Melbourne star Luke Jackson to return home to WA

A premiership winner has only lasted three years at Melbourne after confirming the news Demons fans didn’t want to hear.

Luke Jackson wants to go home to WA. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Melbourne has declared its intention to seek the best trade deal possible after star young ruckman Luke Jackson confirmed he wanted to return home to Western Australia.

Jackson, 20, who was a key part of Melbourne’s 2021 premiership win, told the club at his exit meeting on Tuesday that he wanted to be traded.

Fremantle is thought to be the leading contender to secure Jackson, although he didn’t nominate a preferred club, leaving the door open for the West Coast Eagles.

“Luke Jackson has today informed the Melbourne Football Club of his desire to return home to Western Australia,” a club statement said.

“Melbourne will now work with West Coast and Fremantle to secure a suitable trade.”

Luke Jackson has informed the club of his desire to return home to WA.

📝 | https://t.co/2VYva2jQor

— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) September 13, 2022

Demons list manager Tim Lamb said although the club was disappointed, it respected the ruckman’s decision.

“There is no doubt that we wanted Luke to remain at the Demons, but we respect his decision to want to return home to Western Australia to be closer to his family and friends,” he said.

“We will now work to secure a deal that compensates the club accordingly.”

Jackson’s loss could yet be offset by the addition of Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy, with the Magpies looking to off-load the big man who has five years of a seven-year contract to run.

Jackson, pick No.3 in the 2019 draft, has played 52 games since his debut in 2020 and won the 2021 AFL Rising Star award.