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

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Johndory

Team Captain
Joined
Oct 10, 2011
Posts
399
Likes
240
AFL Club
North Melbourne
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!
 

B Tron

Premium Platinum
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Posts
25,838
Likes
47,962
Location
The ENCOM mainframe
AFL Club
North Melbourne
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

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
May 8, 2003
Posts
15,948
Likes
13,081
Location
Hamish Paradise
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Fugu Gurus
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.
 
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Posts
8,136
Likes
5,420
AFL Club
North Melbourne
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.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Pykie

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Sep 17, 2006
Posts
14,385
Likes
25,538
Location
Lord's
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Leeds United
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

Club Legend
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Posts
1,518
Likes
984
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
North Melbourne
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.
 

sammie

Cancelled
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Posts
610
Likes
115
Location
Cairns
AFL Club
North Melbourne
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

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Posts
6,806
Likes
6,990
Location
Arden St
AFL Club
North Melbourne
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

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Posts
18,324
Likes
24,145
Location
Vic
AFL Club
North Melbourne
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.
 
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Posts
8,136
Likes
5,420
AFL Club
North Melbourne
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

Premiership Player
Joined
Dec 16, 2001
Posts
4,546
Likes
10,457
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Kangaroos
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.
 

Kimbo

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Dec 14, 2002
Posts
18,032
Likes
24,842
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Sturt, Liverpool
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.
 

The Dingrel

Club Legend
Joined
Jun 25, 2013
Posts
1,854
Likes
2,288
Location
Brisbane
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Brisbane Bandits
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

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Posts
18,324
Likes
24,145
Location
Vic
AFL Club
North Melbourne
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.
 
Top Bottom