North Melbourne starts talks on new contract for in-form tagger Ben Jacobs
JON RALPH, Herald Sun
10 minutes ago
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NORTH Melbourne has started contract talks with Ben Jacobs as
his remarkable comeback becomes of one of the stories of the season.
Jacobs played only seven games in the past two years as he battled with multiple surgeries on a metatarsal fracture in his foot.
The first surgery wasn’t successful and he was only handed a one-year deal this year, aware he might be one more foot injury away from footy’s scrapheap.
But the No. 16 pick in the 2010 national draft is the AFL’s in-form tagger, not only shutting down opponents but also winning plenty of his own football this year.
The Roos are in talks with his management on a deal that will give him not only a pay rise but some security for his future.
Ben Jacobs isn’t letting Nat Fyfe get away. Pic: Getty Images
He won 29 possessions and kicked a goal against Fremantle, this year blanketing Patrick Cripps, Dustin Martin, Tom Mitchell and Clayton Oliver.
North Melbourne is open to discussions with Jarrad Waite and Scott Thompson on their futures as they continue brilliant late-career form.
The pair were the last two players handed contracts for this year, with 25-year-old Waite the fourth-oldest player in the competition.
He kicked three critical goals in the latest win over Fremantle and had seven score assists, with Thompson excellent in defence.
The Roos believe Thompson, who turned 32 this month, is in equal form to his All Australian season of 2013.
Waite conceded this weekend he is only one serious injury away from retirement.
But if he can stay away from the soft-tissue and structural injuries of recent years he will at least push his case for another season.
Jarrad Waite isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Pic: Getty Images
The Roos have been prudent in their management of him, resting him in their rousing two-point win over Sydney.
Jed Anderson is another player enjoying a resurgence who will win a new contract because of his excellent form this year.
Brad Scott lauded Jacobs’ shutdown jobs recently, even if Nat Fyfe was able to break free in the loss to the Roos.
“He’s a unique player. He’s a first-round pick, he’s not just a guy who tries to go and blanket the opposition.
“He was a very high possession winner as a junior and he can do that at AFL level as well.
“Leigh Matthews used to say that role players, more than anything, have to accept the role they’re playing.
“It’s about valuing the role and how much we as a team value the role.”