Lachlan Jackson is relishing the next opportunity to pull on Melbourne Victory colours and represent the Club to his fullest.
The 30-year-old centre-back was a rock-solid pillar at the heart of a defence that recorded a clean sheet against reigning Premiers Auckland FC in Round 1 of the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
Now, in the first of back-to-back away fixtures, it is a trip to Newcastle Jets on Friday, October 24, kick-off 7.35pm AEDT, for Arthur Diles’ side.
With Victory inflicted by a handful of injuries, his experience will again play a significant role at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Jackson talked about the sense of duty he feels when taking to the field for the Club.
“It always feels that when you come up against Victory [as an opponent], it’s a big game and a bigger occasion.
“And playing for Victory, there’s a certain level of responsibility. And it’s enjoying that too, because every game feels big and worth something.”
Jackson, after beginning his career at Brisbane Roar and later heading overseas to Suwon FC in South Korea, played for Newcastle between 2015 and 2021. He was an unused substitute when the Jets lost the 2018 Grand Final to Victory, a clash dubbed the ‘Heist of the Hunter’.
Naturally, given his six-year association with this weekend’s opposition, their recent activity, including silverware and a dramatic F3 Derby defeat, has caught his attention.
“I have been keeping a close eye on the Jets. They obviously had a great run in the cup – a first trophy for them in a long time. They are going to be a dangerous threat; everyone’s aware of that.
“It was not the ideal start for them last week, but they’ll be coming out hot for a home game.
“We’re desperate for the three points as well. There is no game you can take too lightly, and we’ll be trying to take home three points.”
Watch Jackson’s full press conference below.
