Retirement on hold for Jacques

PROLIFIC small forward Brent Jacques has backflipped on his retirement decision after signing with GDFNL club Thomson for the 2023 season

Jacques, who most recently played under new Tigers assistant coach Nathan Bisset at Belmont Lions, signed on at Godfrey Street on Tuesday night after spending the summer training with the club to keep fit.

The former Bannockburn and North Shore sharpshooter was denied a farewell game after being suspended late in the GDFNL season for an incident while playing with the Lions.

“He’s got a bit of a relationship with Zac Plant through work, and ‘Bisso’ and (Alex) Jolley,” Thomson coach Paul Lynch said.

“You could tell he was enjoying it, and I just said to him, “you’re not interested in playing, are you?” He said, “I might be able to fit a little bit in”.

“His priority is definitely family, and his wife works Saturdays, so he won’t play every game.

“He’ll end up playing 12-15 games.”

The addition of Jacques, who reached the 50-goal mark in each of the last three seasons, coupled with the previously announced signing of former Newtown & Chilwell forward, provides Lynch with further firepower that he hopes will propel Thomson back into the finals.

“It’s pretty dynamic now, with him and ‘Freo’ (Daniel Freeman) at the feet of ‘Troopy’ and Jacko (Macleod) and Paul Davis,” Lynch said.

“They’re both small forwards ‘Freo’ and ‘Jacquesy’, but they’re both very different.

“Freo’s that high-speed player, and Jacquesy’s very good overhead.

“Between the two of them, they’ll cause the opposition a bit of trouble, I’d like to think.”

Jacques’s signing finalises Thomson’s list ahead of a trio of practice matches during March.

He joins Troop, Jolley, Bisset and Daniel Mowat (Mitiamo) as newcomers, while Jahd Anderson has returned, and Lleyton Thulborn will be available more regularly than in 2022.

Jayden Exell is the only departure after joining Modewarre.

“Hopefully, we’ve got that list that can bridge the gap on the better sides,” Lynch said.

“I felt last year (that) we were probably four or five goals off the really good ones.

“Hopefully, with a few recruits and a bit of natural improvement, we can close that gap.”

The Tigers will play Colac and District League trio Birregurra, Lorne and South Colac before a home opener against North Geelong on April 1.

 

 

Image: Brent Jacques in action for the Belmont Lions against Thomson in 2022. (Sports Media Image/Marcel Berens)