GWS midfielder Jackson Hately is back home in Adelaide but believes he is ready to break into the Giants side

After heading back across the border, Jackson Hately had to find new ways to train while confined to the family home. But he’s staying connected, working hard and is adamant the frustration of limited senior opportunity will make him a better player.

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Giant Jackson Hately is back in South Australia, making the most of a difficult situation with his family, but he’s determined to make his mark in Sydney.

Despite being confined to his parent’s Gawler home after making the trip across the border following the suspension of the AFL season on March 22, Hately, 19, has continued to do what he can, albeit with a new kind of teammate.

Jackson Hately at GWS training in March.

“My brother Riley is my training partner at the moment, he’s 17 now and plays a bit of footy so I’m pretty lucky to have him,” Hately told The Advertiser.

“We have a program but all of us (Giants players) have different sorts of facilities and things that we can use so the club has been great at individualising those programs and making sure we get the most out of our sessions.

“I’ve a Wattbike here, we’re all doing what we can with what we’ve got.”

Like many businesses and workplaces around Australia, the Giants have turned to video conference calls to stay connected.

And, according to the young midfielder, who is also using this time to continue his business degree at UTS in New South Wales, the ability of the club to keep its players and coaching staff connected and updated has been outstanding.

“They’ve been unbelievable,” Hately said.

“Each Friday, we come together as a team on a video call and we also have smaller groups, four players with a couple of coaches, to just catch up and go a bit more in-depth about how we are tracking and what we are doing.

“It’s obviously a very unique time but I think the way the club has handled it and come together has been great.”

Jackson Hately fires out a handpass in front of Sydney’s Josh Kennedy during the Marsh Series. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

The same could be said for the way in which the former Central District junior, drafted at pick No. 14 in 2018, is handling the frustration of limited senior opportunity early in his career.

The well-balanced midfielder, who can win the ball at the contest and away from it, finished with 22 disposals on debut against the Dockers in Round 5 last year. But, despite the impressive performance, Hately made way for Toby Greene the following week.

He was a late replacement for superstar Josh Kelly in Round 7 and, again, had an influence, hitting the target with 17 of his 21 disposals. Kelly only missed one match, however, meaning the teenager was dropped and unsighted at senior level until Round 15.

Over summer, Hately spent extra time in the gym and improved his bodywork to ensure he is ready to mix with the competition’s top-line stars at stoppages, when given the opportunity.

He impressed throughout the Marsh Series and stepped up when Tim Taranto went down.

Jackson Hately tackles Port Adelaide’s Zac Butters at Adelaide Oval during his debut season of 2019. Picture: Sarah Reed.

But there was more disappointment with Hately, as a result of GWS’ depth of talent, left out of Leon Cameron’s Round 1 side.

“I’ve had really good conversations with Leon and the coaches and obviously I think I’m ready and can play and significantly contribute to our games and help us win,” Hately said.

“It can be frustrating at times but the thing I keep reminding myself is everyone goes through stuff like this through their careers, whether it be injuries or opportunity.

“One of my good mates, Izak Rankine, hasn’t had a look in (at the Suns) because he’s been injured.

“Everyone goes through these sorts of things. I’ve got no doubt it will help my career in the long-run and I’ll be a better player for it.”

Originally published as GWS midfielder Jackson Hately is back home in Adelaide but believes he is ready to break into the Giants side