Player Watch #5: Ben Jacobs - says he'll be back after suffering a "perfect storm" of neck & head injuries

Kangaroos4eva

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The impressive thing about BJ is that he has been so effective with the tagging role without getting into that grey area of the niggle, jumper grabbing, holding stuff that Creepy Crowley or Picken were famous for. And the fact that his possession count is usually pretty close to his opponent suggests he has found a good balance between the defensive and ball winning side to his game. Did enjoy his grab and goal right in front of us in the first quarter.
And you can see he has learned the craft of not getting pinged holding the man, but being right on his hammer all the time.
 

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Ardent Roo

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So why....why.....why on earth did Crocker "release the tag" on GAJ in the 2nd half when we played the Suns? His (Crocker's) comment to this effect after the game still one of the more unfathomable coaching moves of the year!

That, along with the week to week selection policy.
 

Black2Blue

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So why....why.....why on earth did Crocker "release the tag" on GAJ in the 2nd half when we played the Suns? His (Crocker's) comment to this effect after the game still one of the more unfathomable coaching moves of the year!

That, along with the week to week selection policy.
That move basically undermined most of the positive impacts Crocker had in the previous weeks. And the Crocker Love died off here pretty swiftly after that presser.
 

Ardent Roo

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That move basically undermined most of the positive impacts Crocker had in the previous weeks. And the Crocker Love died off here pretty swiftly after that presser.
Yep that was his Joe Hockey "poor people don't have cars" moment.
 
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Always backed him in. Clearly was low in self confidence on the field. He's starting to believe now and I noticed his offensive side is developing too. That gut run to fullforward to take the mark from Garners kick was fantastic. Good mark and conversion too.
When I saw that mark he took I was very impressed seeing one of our players which was Thomas and a Melb defender were pretty much coming in to contest for that mark. Ben didn't flinch at all and went for the mark which showed great courage.

This is exactly why other struggling players need to be experimented in different positions or roles. Something that Brad Scott hasnt done nearly enough.
 
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THRILLHO

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The impressive thing about BJ is that he has been so effective with the tagging role without getting into that grey area of the niggle, jumper grabbing, holding stuff that Creepy Crowley or Picken were famous for. And the fact that his possession count is usually pretty close to his opponent suggests he has found a good balance between the defensive and ball winning side to his game. Did enjoy his grab and goal right in front of us in the first quarter.

I love that he just puts a toe slightly near the grey area of the niggle. If you go to the games you get a much clearer indication of just how tightly he wears an opponent away from the ball. There were a few occasions where Jones was slow to get from his feet after a contest and Jacobs just stood right next to him - not on top of him like SDT would or five metres away, but literally right next to him so Jones had to brush his leg as he stood up - and this mind game just reminds the player that Jacobs will be wearing him all day.

It would be so much more annoying as a tagged player to know that your opponent isn't interested in niggling which might fire you up or chasing his own kicks, he's just going to stand next to you. All. Day.
 

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I was a doubter but glad he's found a clearly defined role and is carrying it out with aplomb while creating some attack in his own right. Reward him. Extend to end 2017 at seasons end. Well done Benny.
 

TooUglyForFugly

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I was a doubter but glad he's found a clearly defined role and is carrying it out with aplomb while creating some attack in his own right. Reward him. Extend to end 2017 at seasons end. Well done Benny.
Probably not going to happen this year after this recent extension.

Unless you mean the end of next season.
 

ozzyoslo

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It wasn't brought up as a mistake - more of an indication of Ben's mindset on the ground. Do the job, but not take the game on.
I hoping he does this as he grows more confident.......it makes us as a team more attractive to watch. But many teams play a "run with" player and we definitely need one.
 

kangaspurs

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I think he's been a bit underrated for the Geelong game as well. Although the numbers will say Selwood had a fair bit of the footy, he had next to no influence on the game. In fact, Ben may have even had a similar amount of possessions that game.
 

Shermanator

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Has had a pearler last couple of months - exceptional considering where his career was at last year.

Still has Montagna/Steven, Fyfe/Mundy, Bont/Wallis, Cotchin/Ellis to come so big scalps to be had before the real test begins - shutting down the best players on the big stage!
 

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What a pleasant feeling it is now, that each week you can have a decent level of confidence that the best oppo player is not going to tear North a new one.

If we are to do anything at the pointy end of the season, we need Ben to keep this form up and continue to round out his game.
 
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