New Bomber Tom Jok says he has his eyes set on a spot in the side set to take on Carlton in the club’s first JLT Community Series hit-out on February 28.

The versatile rookie has continued to impress in his first pre-season at The Hangar, finding plenty of the ball during the Bombers’ match simulation on Friday to take another step forward in his development.

Jok showed good speed and touch throughout the session and was pleased with his ability to adjust to the pace of the competitive game.

“It was good out there, a bit quicker than usual, so it was my first taste of AFL footy I suppose so that was pretty exciting,” Jok said on Friday.

“I think I handled it fine, but sometimes I got caught a bit here and there, but that comes with getting experience and more of these match play (sessions) in the future will probably help more.”


Tom Jok is settling in well to the AFL landscape. (Photo: Essendon Football Club)

The 22-year-old has soaked in as much information as possible in the first few months of his AFL career and is determined to have an immediate impact for the side in 2019.

“I’ve just been trying to learn as much as I can off everyone, being in the midfield group and asking a lot of questions here and there,” he said.

“That’s going to fast-track my learning experience and hopefully that’s going to get me out on the field.

“I’m taking it one step at a time, today was my first (session of) match play.

“We’ll get another one in a week or so now, so (I will) build towards that and hopefully put my hand up for a JLT (selection) and hopefully for round one after that.

“JLT is the first step, so I have my eyes on that right now.”

Stints with St Kevin’s Old Boys Football Club in the Victorian Amateur Football Association in recent years and Collingwood’s VFL side in 2018, playing alongside many former and current AFL players, ensured Jok undertook an “absolutely beneficial” apprenticeship before being drafted in November.

Jok singled out former St Kevin’s teammate Stephen Gilham – who played 114 AFL games at Port Adelaide, Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney – as a significant role player in his ability to settle into his new surroundings so comfortably.

“Steve Gilham has been quite vocal, just advising me on how to handle a pre-season and how important it is to get a lot of sleep and recovery, so that’s been my number one factor and it’s holding me in good stead so far.”

Club ruck coach Mark Jamar also played beside Jok at St Kevin’s, and Jok said it has been nice to reconnect with the former Bomber.

“Jamar has been good, he’s always reminded me to back myself and he’s very happy for me about where I’ve gotten and it’s always good to see a familiar face around.”

Jok’s outstanding athleticism has been well documented during his short time in red and black and was highlighted by his second-place finish in the club’s two-lap challenge on January 11.

Only renowned runner Patrick Ambrose could stay ahead of Jok on that occasion and the youngster joked he will continue to nip at the heels of his experienced teammate.

“Patty’s been the king for a while now, so I think it will be good for him to have someone to compete with,” he said.

“No wonder he got a PB as soon as he had someone to compete with. Hopefully I can get him once I get a bit stronger.

“I think being competitive just comes out of you, and it certainly did for Patty and it did for me so I’ll be breaking a PB soon.”