Past #5: Ben Jacobs - delisted after 64 NM games/10 NM goals - thanks Benny

[Kimbo]

I'm waiting to hear what the Port supporters have to say before I come to any conclusions.

 

[royals1922]

There's a spot in our midfield there for him if he wants it. Otherwise it'll be raffled by Greenwood, Hine, McKenzie and co.

There's a spot in the midfield for any player that is prepared to apply himself to the task at hand, Jacobs included.

 

[Johndory]

Good to know that it's his first pre-season because it shows that he has a huge upside to develop into. Don't think next season will be his breakout year though, expecting it to be 2015. i liked what i saw of him this year though, raking left boot!

 

[MaddAdam]

Needs to stop playing like he's scared to make a mistake. Can play but always looks tentative IMO.

Sort of like Ben10 once was?

Jacobs has Spitta's spot to take until Spitta comes back if he wants it.

 

[abby]

what role can he play for us once Swallow is fit and firing?

 

[ArjenTheGreat]

Nice fluff piece.

Pre season or no pre-season he is neither fast, hard or skillful.

He is great back up for the good back up we already have.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Good to see Ben have an opportunity to get some continuity into his training. He seemed to relish the contact in the brief spell in the seniors in 2013 and I'm reasonably confident that having the ability to get a strong running base into his filling out frame will stand him in good stead for next year.

Best of luck to him for 2014.

 

[scottywiper]

Nice fluff piece.

Pre season or no pre-season he is neither fast, hard or skillful.

He is great back up for the good back up we already have.

He is a big bodied midfielder of the kind that Freo love.
Not sure if he will make it, much of that is in his court, but I can see why the club wanted him.

 

[Artaxx]

re his decision making, I watched the Geelong game again the other day. imo it was hottest and quickest game we played all year (was a cracker generally) and his first half was great. Was productive with the footy, covered lots of ground etc. Then his legs gave out.

 

[Saintly31]

Too many were far too quick to write this bloke off. I think his best footy is still a lot greater than what we've seen so far.

It would want to be....

Lets hope he can get himself fit and have a decent crack at it. Good luck to him, deserves a bit of it and at worst will be handy depth.

 

[shintemaster]

I reckon he's a very good chance to play 100+ for us and be well regarded.

 

[Pykie]

I reckon he's a very good chance to play 100+ for us and be well regarded.

Easily.

I think people predicting much more from the likes of Hine and Greenwood need to curb the expectations.

Levi is what he is, and with a whole host of first round picks needing game time in the reserves, he's there purely as depth imo.

Taylor needs to learn how to find the ball more than 15 times a game, at all levels, and when he does, needs to stop looking like the worst kick in the league doing it.

 

[Joey7]

Easily.

I think people predicting much more from the likes of Hine and Greenwood need to curb the expectations.

Levi is what he is, and with a whole host of first round picks needing game time in the reserves, he's there purely as depth imo.

Taylor needs to learn how to find the ball more than 15 times a game, at all levels, and when he does, needs to stop looking like the worst kick in the league doing it.

Agree with all of this

I really rate jacobs and from his output given the limited to no pre-seasons i think he has huge upside and could be a real weapon for us. 2015-2016 (injury and pre-seasons permitting) should be where hes comes of age.

 

[Daveo Plonk]

Agree with all of this

POTY has its benefits, what, Pykie!

 

[Donkey Chop]

I'm tipping he will be solid this year, with 2015 being his breakout.

He was always a three year prospect. With his kicking potential (needs to sharpen it) he can be a serious weapon.

I'm of this opinion also

 

[sammie]

Nice fluff piece.

Pre season or no pre-season he is neither fast, hard or skillful.

He is great back up for the good back up we already have.

Disagree. He has had minimal opportunities at roos, but I think he is the real deal and will show his class.
I hope he doesn't regret his decision to go from port.

 

[ArjenTheGreat]

Hine at least is quick and rabbid for the contest.
Some of his one on one work in defence is savagely underrated me thinks.

Jacobs has a nice leg on him but it takes an eternity for him to get it on to it.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Hine at least is quick and rabbid for the contest.
Some of his one on one work in defence is savagely underrated me thinks.

Jacobs has a nice leg on him but it takes an eternity for him to get it on to it.

Yeah but Hine is a butcher and can't find the footy himself.

Jacobs much like Cunnington is a natural footballer who runs to the right areas and does a lot of the team things. His 1%er's, positioning and tackling has improved out of sight in the last twelve months. All he needs to be able to get the fitness base up so he can get to more contests and spread with a bit more intensity.

 

[Saintly31]

Yeah but Hine is a butcher and can't find the footy himself.

Jacobs much like Cunnington is a natural footballer who runs to the right areas and does a lot of the team things. His 1%er's, positioning and tackling has improved out of sight in the last twelve months. All he needs to be able to get the fitness base up so he can get to more contests and spread with a bit more intensity.

What about his awareness though? So many times was he left flat footed, like he was in slow motion compared to the play. Sure that is experience too, but even so he needs to improve in that area (and hopefully he can)

I agree Hine is a butcher, but he has a real crack. I think the pumping of Jacobs and knocking Hine is a bit off. Both are young blokes with plenty to prove at a second club, and have different skill sets to offer.

 

[Mr. Blonde]

Both are young blokes with plenty to prove at a second club, and have different skill sets to offer.

This is the bit that most people seem to forget. Get a couple of full preseasons into Jacobs, another 30 games, and then we'll see what type of player he will become (same goes for Hine). Anyone who is writing him off now needs to practice a bit more patience.

 

[tiltraise]

Hopefully Ben can have a full pre-season and cement a spot in the best 22.

 

[Kimbo]

As a sign of faith, and because all other drivers' spots were taken, it is prudent of me to remind you all I'm the designated driver of the Jacobs Jalopy.

 

[shintemaster]

As a sign of faith, and because all other drivers' spots were taken, it is prudent of me to remind you all I'm the designated driver of the Jacobs Jalopy.

I'm surfing on the roof Teen Wolf style.

 

[The Dingrel]

I think Jacobs already improved dramatically from his first game this season towards the final ones he played in. His awareness to the way North play and decision making really changed, although it was a shame he mostly came in because the loss of swallow. That damaging left foot and another pre season will see him on the rise (y). Delaney on the other hand. He needs a fair few extra protein shakes.. or Steven Dank

Some of those pix of him in Utah hard to recognize him,,,,,on face value amazing increase in fitness

 

[roos_fanatic08]

He isn't a KPD, and never will be, he has the height but not the right build, he will always be a flanker or 'loose man in defence' like Hansen.

Have you actually seen him play?

He is the perfect modern day CHB. Elite closing speed, strong overhead and despite being
Rangy he is very solid in the one on ones. Ben Reid would be an apt comparison.