Born in Canberra before growing up in Adelaide, Jackson Hately is a tall and strong-bodied midfielder who can also play across the half-forward line. A first round draft pick who reads the play well, Hately was drafted to GWS with pick 14 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft. In the 2020 Pre-season Draft, Hately was selected by the Adelaide Crows in preparation for season 2021.