Jackson wants action: Winning to avoid spoon outranks milestone

Josh Jackson isn't thinking about blowing out the candles on his 200th NRL game cake – he just wants a win.

The former Origin and Test forward hits the milestone on Thursday night at ANZ Stadium against the Rabbitohs - the club the Bulldogs have lost two premierships to in 1967 and 2014, when Jackson was a rookie, to add a little more spice to the occasion.

But all he wants for his 200th is to sing the Bulldogs team song.

"It's all been about us being in a pretty hard position at the moment and just looking for a win," Jackson said when asked about the very subdued 200th celebrations.

"So all the concentration is going into that – searching for a win and trying to finish the year off on a little bit of a positive note.

"It's obviously been a tough year at the club and for everyone involved."

Losing seven games by six points or less in 2020 underlines that point perfectly.

Losing one of his good friends in Kieran Foran, who is unwanted by the club in 2021, is another.

"Everyone knows my thoughts on Foz. He's a great mate of mine and one of the best guys I've played alongside," Jackson said, still clinging to a hope the Bulldogs recruitment chiefs might change their minds.

"Whatever happens with him I hope someone - if it's not us - signs him because he's certainly not finished yet. He's only just getting started, I think."

Perhaps that could be Jackson's theme song as well. The 29-year-old has re-signed for another three years.

If he remains captain until 2023 he will equal legend Terry Lamb in being skipper for six straight years.

And Jackson becomes lucky number 13 for the Bulldogs – only 12 players from 806 who have played first-grade for the Bulldogs since 1935 have played 200 or more games. 

"It's something I'm certainly proud of – 200 games – it'll be nice to look back on and reflect on. But it's really just another game for me this weekend," Jackson said.

After the 2020 season has taken its toll on Bulldogs hearts and minds – the fans, members and players – Jackson knows what he wants to do next season.

"It's a club with a great deal of history and something I'm extremely proud of and extremely lucky to be a part of," he said.

"Some great players have come before me and the club was built on hard work and resilience and toughness.

"I know it hasn't been a great year for us but it's something we want to get back to; we strive to be a part of that and a part of the legacy of this great club."

A squabble currently between the Canterbury League Club and Football Club boards is unwanted but not having any effect on the players, he said.

"It's something that the players don't hear about at all unless it's through the media.

"But it doesn't really have a bearing on us or our performances."