Crows veteran Sam Jacobs dismisses retirement talk and wants to play on with Adelaide next year

Sam Jacobs has been stuck in the SANFL since returning from injury with Reilly O’Brien making the No.1 ruck spot his own. But “Sauce” says he plans to stay with the Crows next season.

JACOBS THE MENTOR: Sam Jacobs (right) hands out some advice to Reilly O’Brien at Crows training. PICTURE: Simon Cross.

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Out of favour Crows veteran Sam Jacobs has declared he is not finished as an AFL ruckman and wants to play on next year.

Stuck on 198 games since round two and out of contract at the end of the season, the 31-year-old, one-time football ironman hasn’t played an AFL game since March 29 after undergoing knee surgery and then failing to win his spot back because of the stunning emergence of his understudy Reilly O’Brien.

But Jacobs said he is physically and mentally refreshed after missing two months following a knee operation, is playing strong football in the SANFL and is ready to assume Adelaide’s No. 1 ruck mantle should O’Brien succumb to injury or lose form.

Jacobs is seeking a new one-year contract at the Crows and would only look at other options, including joining a rival, if a deal cannot be reached.

He said retirement was not in his thinking.

Sam Jacobs at Crows training on Wednesday. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I’m optimistic about things and staying at Adelaide,’’ Jacobs told The Advertiser just days after O’Brien inked a two-year contract extension tying him to the club until the end of 2021.

“I definitely want to play on and firmly believe that I’ve got some good footy left in me.

“My form in the SANFL has been strong, I’m feeling physically fit and mentally refreshed and I want to keep playing for as long as I can. I haven’t thought about retirement.

“Obviously it’s disappointing not to be playing AFL every week but I understand the situation. It’s the same one Reilly was in for three or four years.

“Now it’s about me supporting him and making sure that my form is at the level that whenever an opportunity opens that I can come back into the side, perform strongly and try to get my spot back.’’

Former Blue Jacobs, who had played 53 consecutive games and 181 of a possible 185 at the Crows before missing the round three clash against Geelong and undergoing knee surgery to repair damaged meniscus, has played the past seven games for Adelaide’s SANFL team.

He said his time out of the game had only “confirmed’’ to him how much he loved playing while also serving to freshen him up.

Sam Jacobs of the Crows during a training session at Adelaide Oval. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

“It reaffirmed to me that I want to keep playing for as long as I can, particularly at Adelaide,’’ said SA country boy Jacobs, who played 17 games for Carlton from 2009-10 before being traded to the Crows and quickly becoming their No. 1 ruckman and one of the best in the league.

He was an All-Australian nominee in 2012, 2014 and 2017.

Jacobs said his form in the SANFL, where he has averaged 17 disposals, seven marks, 30 hit-outs and a goal, had been strong.

But he said he understood Adelaide usually played only one genuine ruckman and that O’Brien’s form had been so good since taking over in round three that he had to bide his time and “knock the selection door down’’ to regain his spot.

“I’ve been given a lot of clarity around where things are at and aren’t thinking that the coaches are going to change things up and play two ruckmen just to get me back in the side,’’ Jacobs said.

“So I’ll just keep working on my game and try to keep knocking the door down. Being in good form puts pressure on Reilly to keep performing, which is good for his development too.’’

Jacobs said while 23-year-old O’Brien’s stellar form had kept him out of the side, he had been given great satisfaction from watching his progress.

“Legacy is something that is really important to me and he’s the guy I’ve worked closely with and wanted to take over from me long term,’’ he said.

“I’m really excited by what he can do in the future.’’

Jacobs, who said reaching the 200-game milestone was not at the forefront of his thinking, said his manager Tom Petroro would soon ramp up talks with Crows management about getting a new one-year deal but he understood where he sat in the pecking order.

Adelaide also has been linked with a play for star Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy.

“The club is still needing to re-sign Alex Keath, Hugh Greenwood and Jake Kelly so once they move on them I guess they’ll look at some of the older ones, like me, Richard Douglas, David Mackay and Andy Otten,’’ Jacobs said.