Jaksch was recruited as a forward with pick 12 in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft and joined the exclusive group of players who’ve kicked a goal with their first kick in the AFL during his debut against Richmond in Round 22 last year.
He played one more game for the year but has spent the entire 2014 pre-season training as a key defender and strong NEAFL form had him pushing for a senior berth after being named as an emergency for the past few weeks.
NEAFL and development coach Brett Hand said Jaksch has grown enormously both on and off the field in the past few months.
“It’s a new role for Kristian, he came to us as a forward and played as a forward all last year and was one of our better forwards taking marks, he’s a beautiful shot at goal,” Hand said.
“He played a couple of games in the reserves (last year) in the backline, made a cameo appearance there in the last game of the year and showed some good signs as a defender.
“He’s had a big pre-season down back playing as a defender and he’s worked hard on improving his positioning and his physicality, going back with the flight of the ball - he’s pretty good at getting a spoil in to help his teammates out.
“He’s still got a bit to learn but he’s receptive to what he’s being taught at the moment and you can see improvements each week.”
Hand said Jaksch improvement on-field has been matched by his growing maturity off-field.
“He’s very hard on himself. He’s had a tough probably 12 weeks. He came back out of condition but his last three months, to his credit, have been exceptional - the way he’s done extra touch, extra conditioning work.
“He really needs to be applauded for the way he’s attacked that and that’s probably the maturity we’ve looked for in him that was missing. It was the kick in the backside that he needed over the pre-season and he’s responded really well.
“The inner growth and development that he’s had as a person has been quite impressive.”
Jaksch is one of four changes to the GIANTS' side to take on the Hawks at the MCG on Sunday with fellow defender Tim Mohr returning from injury for his first game for the year, to join Sam Frost and Jed Lamb.
