By JARROD POTTER
MAKING the most out of 2016, Tom Jok has ticked all the right boxes.
With no school footy or major injuries halting his run at TAC Cup and Vic Country duties this year, Jok, 19, from Pakenham, has been in superb nick through the first eight rounds at Dandenong.
Averaging 20 touches, five marks and four tackles a match, the Beaconsfield/Dandenong Stingrays roaming wingman did more than enough to earn a second campaign with Vic Country’s Under 18s.
Despite the side’s win-loss record not looking as impressive as last season, after two early losses, Jok has relished his second chance to impress the football world.
Jok was on song early for Vic Country in its Queen’s Birthday clash against Vic Metro at Simonds Stadium.
An electric first term set the stage for Jok, as he was seemingly part of every passage through Vic country’s amazing five-goal opening quarter, but his match was derailed by a shoulder complaint.
Despite the injury, Jok was pleased with his performance – racking up 16 possessions and five tackles in the two-point loss – but the heartbreak of a devastating defeat was at the front of his mind.
“It’s good individually so far – playing my role and doing what I can for the team so far – but it’s just disappointing that we had our second loss in a row,” Jok said. “It’s pretty devastating – the WA loss was just down to who could be harder for longer and obviously they were and were more powerful, physical and showed it on the scoreboard.
“With this game today (Monday) it was a grind out and who could take their opportunities – and Metro probably deserved it.”
After he was overlooked in the 2015 AFL national and rookie drafts, Jok has set about ramping up all aspects of his footy this time around and seizing the opportunity he’s been received again.
“That’s the thing – I’m just trying to add a bit of consistency in my game and so if I can start well and just need to finish well and that’s something I’m working on,” Jok said.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment of the second chance.
“I wasn’t around as much this time last year, just due to injury and school footy – but I’ve got a second chance and another go at it now and it’s a great opportunity and I’m doing everything I can to take it.”
Vic Country coach Paul Henriksen was impressed with Jok’s efforts across his two Vic Country seasons and his absence on Monday for long stretches of the clash really hampered the side’s fightback.
“Really hurt us while he was off the ground – with a shoulder injury for a while, a collarbone – that hurt us as the way it was,” Henriksen said.
“He’s been quite good over the first two games, so I think there’s still another work in progress but he’s a likely type.”
Jok has two more possible Vic Country outings against South Australia and the Allies to round out the championships before returning to Dandenong for remainder of his last TAC Cup season.
