Workaholic front-rower Jackson Ford has extended his contract with NZ Warriors until the end of 2029.<\/p>\n
Currently nursing a chest\/shoulder injury back to health, Ford, 28, has been a breakout performer this NRL season, leading Dally M Medal standings through the first few weeks of the competition.<\/p>\n
A rare and consistent 80-minute performer among middle forwards, he led his team in tackles and running metres, and was among the league leaders in post-contact metres until June, when he tore a pec muscle against North Queensland Cowboys.<\/p>\n
Ford is expected back on the field in time for the playoffs in September.<\/p>\n
“Jackson was in the form of his life in the first half of the season,” coach Andrew Webster said. “He was awesome.<\/p>\n
“We were really confident in what we saw in him when we signed him. We could see he had a massive motor and he worked really hard.<\/p>\n
“He has proved that over and over ever since he came here. We love him.<\/p>\n
“You’re not meant to have favourites, but he’s one of our favourites. You can ask every player that, every staff member.<\/p>\n
“There aren’t many front-rowers that play the way he does. If the game went for two days, Jackson would still be going for two days.<\/p>\n
Ford has made 111 appearances for the Warriors, after shifting across from St George-Illawarra Dragons in 2023, when he was essentially a back-rower.<\/p>\n
In 2025, he was shifted into the middle of the park and his reliability has allowed Webster to manipulate his use of interchange around a prop that doesn’t need to be subbed out in the first half.<\/p>\n
“That fella has tapped something,” lock Erin Clark marvelled. “He gets drug-tested every time because they reckon he must be on something.<\/p>\n
“Jacko doesn’t play for the credit, he just wants to be the player you want to play with. He’ll be the first person I choose to go to war with, because I know he will turn up.<\/p>\n
“He’s been doing it the last 2-3 years, but it’s just showing more. I think the changes to the game have helped.<\/p>\n
“I’m tired after 10 minutes and that fella’s playing 80 minutes a game. He’s just a true professional \u2013 the way he prepares and everything he does leading up to a game.”<\/p>\n