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Jakovich eyes 300-game mark
By Mark Duffield
GLEN JAKOVICH says John Worsfold and an improving West Coast team have reinvigorated his passion for AFL football, raising the possibility of him becoming the club's first 300-game player.
Although Jakovich stressed he was a year-to-year proposition at the age of 30, his 260-game tally and his form have put him back in touch with the elusive 300-game milestone.
Eagles football manager Steve Woodhouse rated Jakovich "every chance" of reaching the milestone, which would require two good years of senior football after 2003.
"Glen is under contract until the end of next season and we think he has got a couple of years left in him," Woodhouse said.
"Provided his body holds together and his form is good, they are the two prerequisites I suppose."
Jakovich needs another eight games to break Guy McKenna's 267-game club record - even that looked unlikely two seasons ago as he battled for touch at centre half-back, the position which made him famous during the 1990s.
But a new coach, former premiership teammate Worsfold, and a switch to attack this season have not only rekindled his career but also his interest in continuing.
Yesterday, he joked that he should have staked a stronger claim for a role in attack when his first AFL coach and major career influence, Mick Malthouse, nominated him as the man to build his defence around.
Asked if he thought he could have succeeded in attack earlier, he replied: "If I was given the role there and the faith to say we are going to play you all year there.
"I guess Mick wasn't keen about it and he told me that in the mid-90s. I was his No. 1 centre half-back and he wanted me to play there. I accepted there and then I was always going to play centre half-back.
"When I look back now I probably should have demanded the position a bit more but we had other guys playing there, Mitchell White, David Hynes and guys who played in premiership years.
"It was his (Malthouse's) call. I just attack every game. I feel good, I feel fit out there and I just enjoy playing. John has given me the confidence to go out and play that role.
"He said there's a couple of games where it won't go for you and you will have a bad day, and we will persist with you because we believe in you.
"That confidence from the coach has made me really enjoy my footy."
Jakovich admitted he was at the crossroads two years ago when his form as a defender slumped and many queried his ability to continue.
Worsfold played a key role in rebuilding his confidence, he said.
"He said just go out and play, I know you can play and he said I had his 100 per cent support," Jakovich said.
"I am going to play as long as I can play like I am now. That could be the end of the year or it could be in two years time."
Who wouldve thought this would be the case, especially considering 2 years ago people were calling for his head? Good luck Jako
By Mark Duffield
GLEN JAKOVICH says John Worsfold and an improving West Coast team have reinvigorated his passion for AFL football, raising the possibility of him becoming the club's first 300-game player.
Although Jakovich stressed he was a year-to-year proposition at the age of 30, his 260-game tally and his form have put him back in touch with the elusive 300-game milestone.
Eagles football manager Steve Woodhouse rated Jakovich "every chance" of reaching the milestone, which would require two good years of senior football after 2003.
"Glen is under contract until the end of next season and we think he has got a couple of years left in him," Woodhouse said.
"Provided his body holds together and his form is good, they are the two prerequisites I suppose."
Jakovich needs another eight games to break Guy McKenna's 267-game club record - even that looked unlikely two seasons ago as he battled for touch at centre half-back, the position which made him famous during the 1990s.
But a new coach, former premiership teammate Worsfold, and a switch to attack this season have not only rekindled his career but also his interest in continuing.
Yesterday, he joked that he should have staked a stronger claim for a role in attack when his first AFL coach and major career influence, Mick Malthouse, nominated him as the man to build his defence around.
Asked if he thought he could have succeeded in attack earlier, he replied: "If I was given the role there and the faith to say we are going to play you all year there.
"I guess Mick wasn't keen about it and he told me that in the mid-90s. I was his No. 1 centre half-back and he wanted me to play there. I accepted there and then I was always going to play centre half-back.
"When I look back now I probably should have demanded the position a bit more but we had other guys playing there, Mitchell White, David Hynes and guys who played in premiership years.
"It was his (Malthouse's) call. I just attack every game. I feel good, I feel fit out there and I just enjoy playing. John has given me the confidence to go out and play that role.
"He said there's a couple of games where it won't go for you and you will have a bad day, and we will persist with you because we believe in you.
"That confidence from the coach has made me really enjoy my footy."
Jakovich admitted he was at the crossroads two years ago when his form as a defender slumped and many queried his ability to continue.
Worsfold played a key role in rebuilding his confidence, he said.
"He said just go out and play, I know you can play and he said I had his 100 per cent support," Jakovich said.
"I am going to play as long as I can play like I am now. That could be the end of the year or it could be in two years time."
Who wouldve thought this would be the case, especially considering 2 years ago people were calling for his head? Good luck Jako
