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

[rooboy335]

Dal fed him the ball though didn't he? So he was the closest to Ben at that point in time. I think most of our players would've said the same thing. I do think at times though we lack a leader who stands up when we let the opposition get a run on.

 

[astrovic]

Or maybe Dal was just the closest senior player to him at the time?

True, but I think EH's observation relates to the bit about Dal being the best communicator on the ground.

It begs the question about the senior players on our list and whether they are doing enough in this regard. When you think about some of the issues raised about our leadership group recently, it's a fair question.

It does explain to me just why Jamie MacMillan is so highly rated within the club and why he keeps getting played even when his form is down.

That said, Jacobs has played at 2 AFL clubs, 1 VFL club, presumably one SNAFL club, juniors etc etc...so he's played with a pretty large number of players. It's not necessarily a knock on anyone else's leadership and communication skills to say that Dal is the best at it. It might simply mean exactly that - Dal is the best at it. Another unexpected bonus we get from drafting this bloke

 

[Event Horizon]

Or maybe Dal was just the closest senior player to him at the time?

That's not the point. He did say that Dal is the BEST communicator on the field he has played with.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

While I agree that we have lacked in on field leadership under Brad, I think that could easily just be a positive reflection on NDS moreso than a negative one on the rest of our leaders. The reality is he was a crucial senior player at a club that was consistently making and winning finals for a lot of his career, and we don't have anyone with a similar CV. Of course his voice is going to carry a lot of weight.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Good to read that Jacobs is benefiting from his first proper preseason. IT's going to be difficult to get into the seniors once Wells and Swallow are back but alls you can do is keep on performing in the twos, and he is certainly doing that.

He seems like a bit of a different cat to your standard footballer but he seems really relaxed around the boys and very comfortable at the club. Good to see.

 

[scooby1279]

Or maybe Dal was just the closest senior player to him at the time?

this comment: "He’s probably the best communicator I’ve played with out on the ground," Jacobs added.

WOW says a lot about our experienced players and leaders.

 

[One Eyed Roo]

I wonder if on field leadership is misrepresented in the ability/capability to stand up, to change the flow of the game when it ain't going your way. Not all players can do this. Knowing what to do in certain situations should not need 'leadership'. They are full time professionals with an abundance of coaches. Our issue may be more around game plan not changing quickly enough when the run of play is not going out way.

 

[GarnerSmash]

this comment: "He’s probably the best communicator I’ve played with out on the ground," Jacobs added.

WOW says a lot about our experienced players and leaders.

What if Dal Santo is the best on-ground communicator in the league?

 

[Thewlis Dish]

this comment: "He’s probably the best communicator I’ve played with out on the ground," Jacobs added.

WOW says a lot about our experienced players and leaders.

Or it says a lot about Dal. Depends how you look at it.

 

[Event Horizon]

this comment: "He’s probably the best communicator I’ve played with out on the ground," Jacobs added.

WOW says a lot about our experienced players and leaders.

That's my point precisely.

 

[Event Horizon]

Or it says a lot about Dal. Depends how you look at it.

Probably both.

 

[scooby1279]

What if Dal Santo is the best on-ground communicator in the league?

i am sure he is very highly rated but it does show lack of leadership amongst our senior players and why the club went hard to get him especially for Jacobs to single out NDS who has been playing for us in only his 7th game.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

I think you're reading too much into it.

 

[GarnerSmash]

i am sure he is very highly rated but it does show lack of leadership amongst our senior players and why the club went hard to get him especially for Jacobs to single out NDS who has been playing for us in only his 7th game.

But what if he is in the top handful of communicators in the league?

If this is indeed the case then it shows nothing at all.

And also, different types of communicators work for different types of people. Why are we assuming that Ben Jacobs is now representative of all footballers?

Seriously, massive leaps of logic in this thread from one comment from one player.

 

[astrovic]

But what if he is in the top handful of communicators in the league?

If this is indeed the case then it shows nothing at all.

And also, different types of communicators work for different types of people. Why are we assuming that Ben Jacobs is now representative of all footballers?

Seriously, massive leaps of logic in this thread from one comment from one player.

All fair and yes it is a leap, but not that massive. We've all said it, the media has said it, even Scott has said it - we have at times lacked on field leadership, and it still appears (at least to me) to be a real issue with our team.

I am sure Jacobs didn't intend to give direct a backhanded compliment towards the leadership group by singling out Dal for praise, but his comment can certainly be construed to have that effect.

 

[GarnerSmash]

So, “With Dal he’s a calm head out there. He’s probably the best communicator I’ve played with out on the ground" = North lack onfield leadership.

Righto...

Matty Lloyd would be proud of that statement.

 

[Rick18]

Sorry to nip this in the bud, but in no way did Ben even insinuate that with his quote.

It was part of a larger discussion about both of them switching clubs and whether they had any similarities, talked about it, etc. Some of those quotes didn't fit into the flow of the piece but those two did.

 

[LuvtheKangas]

^ Checkmate. Thread dead.

 

[Saintly31]

Says more about Jacobs' lack of onfield awareness than NDS leadership if anything.

 

[GarnerSmash]

So, back on track, good to see Jacobs really improving his fitness and self belief on the footy field. It's amazing how these kind of things can really hold back players development. I hope he has a killer season from this point on.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Dal played for years in a team full of highly talented guys that repeatedly challenged for flags. I think that kind of experience would lend pretty well to onfield communication.

I think trying to say that our on field leadership groups communication skills are poor on the back of someone saying "Dal Santo is the best on field communicator" is as logical as Claiming Aaron Edwards is the best forward in the league cause he once kicked 100 goals in a season at West Coast.

 

[scooby1279]

But what if he is in the top handful of communicators in the league?

If this is indeed the case then it shows nothing at all.

And also, different types of communicators work for different types of people. Why are we assuming that Ben Jacobs is now representative of all footballers?

Seriously, massive leaps of logic in this thread from one comment from one player.

and what if he isn't? No denying we lack leadership anyway, last year was a prime example even if Jacobs said it or not.

 

[scooby1279]

Dal played for years in a team full of highly talented guys that repeatedly challenged for flags. I think that kind of experience would lend pretty well to onfield communication.

I think trying to say that our on field leadership groups communication skills are poor on the back of someone saying "Dal Santo is the best on field communicator" is as logical as Claiming Aaron Edwards is the best forward in the league cause he once kicked 100 goals in a season at West Coast.

i think it is the whole package though. Our onfield leadership especially last season was shit and that is why Ling is at the club

 

[DarkPhoenix]

There's no doubt we've had issues with onfield leadership especially in the tight games last year, but trying to link Dal Santo being an excellent communicator to our other guys supposedly being poor.... illogical at best.

 

[scooby1279]

There's no doubt we've had issues with onfield leadership especially in the tight games last year, but trying to link Dal Santo being an excellent communicator to our other guys supposedly being poor.... illogical at best.

True but i don't think you can be a great leader if you have shit communications skills. People follow those who show the way but also know how to communicate well. It is a whole package.