""We discussed those concerns with the AFL and they have done the right thing by our fans and we thank them for that. We now hope those fans will do the right thing by the club. Those members who dropped off because of previous fixtures should now get back on board.
""This is a fixture that will be welcomed by families and they have traditionally been a key part of our membership base. We have only four home night games compared with seven last season. We also play five home games on Sundays which will also appeal to our family members.
""We have had three significant retirements at this club and 2005 will be the dawn of a new era. We would like to get those fans back to witness what we hope will be a special time in the history of this club.""
Jackson was not concerned by the fact Essendon will travel four times in the space of six weeks mid-season.
""The travel in that six week period will give us the chance to see how life is for the interstate sides who travel far more frequently than we do. Brisbane won three Premierships basically travelling every second week. I think it will good for us to experience that,"" Jackson said.
""We play in each State at least once during the course of the season and given our national supporter base stands at about one million, there will be a lot of Essendon supporters around the country pleased they will get the chance to watch their team play.""
IN other news, Jackson has applauded Channel 10 for its decision to significantly increase its live coverage of football into the northern markets of Brisbane and Sydney.
""It is a very important decision they have taken and they should be applauded for it,"" Jackson said. ""If the game is to grow the northern markets are critical and this is a real positive for AFL football.""
