TWO friends who grew up playing cricket against each other in the south-west are now Victorian teammates.
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Woodford's Tommy Jackson and Nirranda's Brody Couch have signed two-year rookie contracts and could soon pit themselves against some of Australia's best players.
Jackson, 19, and Couch, 20, were unveiled as new signings on Wednesday morning after impressing selectors with their performances for Victorian Premier Cricket club Geelong.
Jackson, who already has five First XI tons to his credit, said it was a dream come true.
"It's been my dream ever since I was little to be a professional cricketer," he told The Standard.
"I was bloody rapt and I gave mum and dad a call straight away, I was over the moon really."
Jackson said to earn a contract alongside Couch was "pretty surreal".
"Coming from a country town like Warrnambool and both getting our dream jobs, it's bloody cool," he said.
The opening batsman, who dabbles in wicket-keeping, moved to Geelong as a teenager with dad Anthony to give himself every opportunity to play for Victoria.
Legit, I was a medium pacer in under 14s and I got told my batting wasn't good enough.
- Tommy Jackson
Jackson said the sacrifice had paid off.
"In a way it (the contract) has come quicker but in another way I look at it and I have worked so hard for so long," he said.
"It probably happens pretty quick in that you probably don't realise how close you are.
"But I have been putting most of my life towards my dream which was to be a professional cricketer."
Jackson and Couch have trained with Victoria for the past three weeks but were forced to keep their exciting news quiet.
They've been training Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with their new Victorian teammates at Junction Oval.
"It's bloody awesome. The first day I rocked up and 'Finchy' (Aaron Finch) and (Glenn) Maxwell were in the gym and that was pretty surreal," Jackson said.
"I was watching those guys on TV a couple of years ago and idolising them and now I am next to them in the gym.
"My first day I was pretty nervous but now it's pretty cool just rocking up."
It's a far cry from Jackson's early days at Bushfield Recreation Reserve.
He can recall struggling as a batsman and calling on respected Woodford coach John Houston for help.
"I owe John a lot. I missed out on my under 14 (Western) Waves' team and I went to him and said 'teach me how to bat'," Jackson recalled.
"Legit, I was a medium pacer in under 14s and I got told my batting wasn't good enough.
"I went and did a pre-season with him when I was about 14. I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without 'Houtta'.
"He taught me a lot of the basics I know today and I can now coach myself with what he taught me."
Jackson played in a division one flag for Woodford at 15.
He chimed in with a match-defining 72.
"Woodford means everything to me. That's my memories from growing up out at Woodford and watching my dad play," he said.
"I still keep in close contact with a lot of the Woodford guys. They will always be my main club."
Jackson hopes his rise up the ranks inspires others south-west cricketers.
"If you miss out on a team but put your mind to anything and a lot of time and effort into it, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to," he said.
For Couch, a call from Victorian cricket performance boss Shaun Graf sparked a wave of excitement.
Couch took a moment to let the contract offer sink in before phoning his parents.
"I've had a goal to get to the highest level I can and getting the contract was the next step in that," he said.
"It was just surreal. I'm so grateful that I've had the chance and I'm just keen to get out and try to prove myself."
The 20-year-old, a fast bowler, said rising through the ranks with Jackson had been beneficial.
"We both love fishing as well and I think we've found it easier with each other up here as well," Couch said.
"It's just been so much easier to have someone up here to relate to, I guess and to talk a bit of crap with."
While Jackson and Couch's training has been largely limited to fitness throughout June, Couch said he was learning more about the tactical side of the sport.
He was yet to discuss specifics about his role but expected he'd return to Geelong while trying to gain selection in Victoria's first team.
"I've had a couple of years now where I've gained a lot of experience learning from the coaches and senior players at Geelong," Couch said.
"I think I'll be working on consistency, especially just with my stock ball.
"You're obviously just always trying to bowl as fast as you can, I guess, so I just want to keep that up.
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"The tactical side of the game is a really big thing at the professional level and I think the game just becomes more mentally (focused) at the higher levels.
"I think that's where I can show the most improvement."
Couch, like Jackson, had humble beginnings in the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association.
He cut his teeth with Nirranda, playing senior cricket from a young age.
"That was definitely beneficial," Couch said.
"I got a bit more exposure to that senior level and that probably helped a fair bit.
"I obviously had some good mentors at the time as well. I miss my junior cricket a fair bit, I had an awesome time out there."
Couch and Jackson's professional sporting journeys are in their infancy.
The sky is the limit for how far they can go.
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